Originally Posted by DannoXYZ
What happens when you use your fingertips on teh bars? Back gets awfully tired?
Well, no, the pressure generally just then goes to the fingers and they get sore quite a bit faster than my palms.
Originally Posted by DannoXYZ
If you can, get someone to take some pictures of you riding on the bike and get close-ups of the hands so we can see what kind of grip you have on the bars.
I'll see what I can do, though it may be a hard during the week.
Originally Posted by DannoXYZ
Do you have any symptoms of RSI or carpal-tunnel syndrome? Could be a pre-existing condition and the bike-riding just exacerbates it..
Yes, not probably unrelated ... I've broken my hands and wrists in about 10 different places (5th metacarpel, both wrists twice, dislocated a couple fingers, left arm once during hockey, both pinkies). And two years ago I have my carpel tunnel released during surgery to have a tumor removed from my right wrist (non-malignant, the CT release was just to make room for any scar that might be left, not as a result of prior CT problems). I have a nerve issue related to my elbows - sleep with arms up toward face with hard bend in elbows sometimes causes numbness in pinkies and index fingers, not a problem on the bike though ... really I've never felt numbness on the bike, only soreness). Spoke to RSI specialist about the elbow/finger numbness and he said just grab a pillow to keep from pulling my arms up too close (and DN fall asleep with the GF in my arms
).
Originally Posted by jcm
The Somabar All-Rounder is also known as a type of North Road bar. Common on all those old 3-speeds and perhaps the very best handle bar ever made for general use. You have the perfect saddle to go with a set of those.
I was looking at the all-rounder and couldn't tell the difference between it and other north bars, good to know they're basically the same.
Originally Posted by jcm
The Ergon grips look interesting - the idea being to distribute the pressure.
Yeah, I'm a little hesitant to plow $20-30 on grips, maybe I can find a more affordable alternative.
Originally Posted by jcm
I had similar problems til I switched to the NR's. Wald #8095 are about $15. They are steel, and are 22" wide, which gives very good contol and shock absorbancy.
Is see these at L(used)BS all the time for less then $10, I'll have to start there!
Originally Posted by jcm
All good advice above, too. Find a fit that allows the elbows to be relaxed, with the wrists in line with the forearms, no locked joints or hunched shoulders. Your grip on the bars should be a medium touch, not a push-up.
Thanks for the summary of the fitting advice for arms, good to have it in one place. And thanks for all the advice/tips suggestions!