jischr

I’ve been losing muscle mass in my right hand for a while. This is the first year it seems I will need more padding on my drop bars to alleviate pressure on the bones. For those in a similar position, did you double wrap with CX tape, or add silicone pads to the bars, or find gloves with more padding built in? Anyone use anti-vibration work gloves? One thought I had was to slice open/install thin mtb grips and then tape over them. Open to any suggestions.

Thanks

Wileyrat

While I'm not losing muscle mass in my hands, I have CTS, and it sounds similar. Personally, I like the tape I use, so I've gone with thicker padding in my gloves.

This is going to be a bit more controversial, but imho one of the best things I did was go to CF bars. They eliminated most of the road buzz out that was irritating my hands.

Ymmv.

tyrion

I double wrap. Once I used old inner tubes for the inner wrap, but that was relatively hard and unforgiving.

I have large hands so I like the increased diameter double wrapping provides. If I didn't have large hands I might try the gel pads and a single wrap.

DeadGrandpa

I have similar symptoms. First, I ordered Grab On Grips, which are closed cell foam cylinders that slide on your naked handlebars with a little dish detergent as lubes. Then I wrapped the result with gel padded bar tape. If you don't want the larger diameter bar, I recommend just the Grab On Grips.

Another strategy is to elevate the handlebar with a stem whose angle of rise can be adjusted. Less weight will be on your hands as you will be sitting more upright. You may have to give up the aero position.

mstateglfr 

What thickness bar tape have you been using? If its basic stuff, then maybe 3mm bar tape is all you need since that's double the thickness of most under $20 tapes.
Or gel pads with 3mm tape over for more thickness and damping.
There is 4mm thick tape too...

katsup

I use a vertically sliced inner tube (MTB tube), then 2.75-3mm bar tape on top of that.

Miele Man

I'm adding extra padding to a dropbar on one of my converted MTBs.

I'm using contact cement and pipe insulation. I have short fingers so adding extra padding all the way around the handlebar is not good for me.

I have cloth tape on my handlebar. I'm contact cementing pipe insulation to the top and back of the handlebar. Then I'll use a razor knife to taper the pipe insulation. Once that's done I'll add a new layer of cloth tape over the pipe insulation. This way I'll have the extra padding where I need it but without an overall thickening of the handlebar.

Cheers

alpharalpha

I was just thinking similar after ride yesterday; might front suspension help? Otherwise perhaps a bike with more upright configuration so not putting weight/pressure on handlebars.

BobbyG

Since my 40s I've been padding my bars with 1/2" foam pipe insulation. Six feet for under $4. It usually lasts for a few months, before losing its cushion. I wrap the ends with some black duct tape. The foam is not slick like you'd imagine, and my grip feels secure.

I'm sure, someone more artful than I could make it look good.

rumrunn6

now I want pizza, thanks

tagaproject6

That watch must be incredibly shock resistant! What is it?

BobbyG

Just an old cheap $20 watch from Target...there's a rubber pad under it. The watches last 5-6 years on the bike. My newest bike has a computer that constantly shows the time, so I don;t need it on there. By the way, that's an analogue thermometer below it.

John_V 

I would try changing your gloves first. Try the Specialized BG Gel gloves. They are very well padded and in the right places. I have arthritis in my thumbs and with these gloves, I've had hardly any incidents of my hands. If they don't make a difference, then double wrap or use gel pads.

jlaw

+1 on the suggestion to use foam pipe insulation (from Home Depot,etc.). I've used it as a temporary cover for bare bars while fine-tuning brake lever location - very plush. Also good for larger hands. It looks goofy, but you can be creative to disguise it if nec.

Slightly less goofy-looking and more 'finished' is the foam Grab-On Grips product - and very 1970's! https://grabongrips.com/bicycle-grips

Or, I have used Planet Bike gel pads under regular bar tape with good results https://www.planetbike.com/store/century-gel-pads.html

Kabuki12

Whatever tape you choose , still get nice cycling gloves with padding. I ride vintage road bikes so my bikes have cotton bar tape. I did find padded cotton bar tape at the Eroica California event a couple of years ago and I like it a lot. It didn’t come in any packaging so I don’t know the brand, but it is nice and easy to wrap.

skidder

This ^^^^^ I put strips on the top part of the bars, above the hoods and toward the stem. My tour bike has two layers. I use a little wood glue to fasten it in place - its just sticky enough to hold the rubber in place while I put the bar tape on, and makes it easy to remove/replace later on.

Mountain Mitch

I use a 6 inch piece of 3mm bar tape laid along the upper surface of the hand position in the drops. Then I tape as normal. I agree that good gloves also will help. I haven’t tried CF bars but can see they might be a nice touch.

Slightspeed

I like the feel of Brooks leather bar wrap, but it has no cush, so I wrapped it over some cheap foam tape that works for me. A good pair of gloves will also help a lot, as will wider tires at slightly reduced pressure. I've also used Specialized silicone gel pads under foam tape, and it works well too.

It looks a little fat, but has a nice feel, and plenty of cush for me, along with Pasela 28 tires.

Maelochs

Old inner tubes work well. I often split them and wrap pretty tightly, but when I want cushion I use them whole and don't stretch them much.

Mitkraft

I do both double layer as well as gel pads. Use the Planet Bike gel pads off Amazon and Profile Design shock gel tape. I first wrap the bar with my old tape. Then I tape the gel pads in place. Then I do a final wrap with my new tape. I do this on my gravel and road bike.

canklecat

Arundel Synth Gecko. Most comfy bar wrap I've used, short of the foam pipe insulation trick.

It's 100% silicone foam, soft, grippy and durable. No adhesive, can be rewrapped almost indefinitely. Doesn't take a set/permanent curl, and will straighten out shortly after removing. Washes easily too. It can cut fairly easily against sharp edges such as exposed bar ends and some brifter housing assemblies, so be careful wrapping around those areas.

When I was recovering from a shoulder and neck injury I double wrapped, using cheap generic black foam tape against the bar, then the Synth Gecko over it. As I regained arm strength I switched to just the Synth Gecko so it's not quite as sausage-fat looking.

Aesthetically... not the best looking stuff. No matter how it's wrapped it tends to look like articulated metal conduit or sausages. Some of the colors are neon-crazy. I bought a roll of it in hi-vis yellow at the LBS for about $15 because nobody would pay full price for it. But that discount persuaded me to buy more at full price in a color I'd prefer.

But for us cheapskates, the old inner tube trick works great. Wrap it directly around the bar, then overwrap with whatever bar wrap you like. Really dampens road vibration without adding excess thickness. It won't look as meaty as the Synth Gecko double wrapped over or under other bar wrap.

jischr

Minor update - last week's ride was on Cinelli cork over aluminum bars. Today's ride of the same distance and a little longer time (30 mph head wind gusts) on Zipp CX tape over carbon bars did not generate the same amount of pain/soreness as last weeks ride.

Only a sample size of one but I think new bar tape is the minimum. May add gel or double wrap with the Zipp tape or try one of the options you all have mentioned above. Thanks for all your comments.

tarinalynn

Great idea. I often have tingles/pins and needles in my right hand regardless of whether I am cycling or not. I am going to give this a try!

Lazyass

Zipp Service Corse CX bar tape uses a strip of gel instead of a regular tape strip. Has really good cushion and it doesn't leave any residue on your bars when you remove it.

BobbyG

I hope the padding helps, but tingling in the hand, especially when not cycling, sounds more like some sort of nerve impingement in the wrist, elbow, shoulder or neck.

My hand discomfort is more of a dull ache and soreness, directly at the point where my hand rests on the bars. Although with the padding and varying my hand placement, I am fine for longer rides.

Regardless of what is causing your hand discomfort/tingling, I hope the padding helps.