Carpal pain

[cwah]

Hello all,

I don't know if it's related to how I use the handlebar or the nature of them or my position on the bike, but I have some carpal pain when I cycle:

It is probably accentuated by the fact that at work it also doesn't rest my wrist... but I wonder if there something I can do for my bike?

 

[Nealh]

A change of hand position, bars ends can be useful there was a thread running which included changing handle bar styles.

 

[craiggor]

You must be holding on for grim death on your bike.What Neath said + relax your grip,foam grips from Wilkinson's £1.99.

 

[cwah]

Ok will try to put new grip and see how it goes

 

[Emo Rider]

A change of hand position, bars ends can be useful there was a thread running which included changing handle bar styles.

I quite agree with Nealh.

Other things you can try is a good quality pair of ergo grips with the pad that supports the heel of your hand. Also another area to look at is how the position of your arms and body line up with your handle bars. A proper setup will have your elbows slightly bent and no angle between your forearm and hand at the wrist. Your forearms and hands should be at a completely neutral position while gripping the bars. You may have to change you bars to a more swept back style to accomplish this.

I have neck problems which cause me grief in the form of loss of circulation in the hands and carpal pain if I ride in anything but an upright position. A good bike shop should be able to help you set up your bike for your needs. There is info on the web on how to do it if you want to do some digging. Hope this helps.

 

[VictoryV]

Hello all,



It is probably accentuated by the fact that at work it also doesn't rest my wrist... but I wonder if there something I can do for my bike?

If you use a PC or workstation at work then you are entitled to ask your employer to carry out a workplace environmental survey. This should check that you have all the necessary aids such as ergonomic keyboards, appropriately adjustable seating, foot/wrist rests, proper lighting, and even glasses provided by them as necessary at no cost to you. Also if you are a "touch typist" then your fixed wrist position could contribute to CTS, so you have a responsibility to yourself to take periodic rests and carry out wrist flexing exercises. I am not a touch typist so my hands are moving all over the place when I type so as such, (when I was at work) I was not so susceptible to the risk of CTS, many of my IBM colleagues were amazingly skilled and fast at the keyboard, but also many of them developed CTS when working at high pressure to meet contract deadlines. I was their RAF customer.

 

[Geebee]

Dutch style sit up and beg riding position should help.
Best is a recumbent with under seat steering and vertical grips

 

[zebody]

I had the same carpal problems on my levy bike and as Geebee posted Dutch style and sit up helped sort the problem.
I also have Rhumatoid Arthritis and when I worked retired now) I changed from using a mouse at the computer to a trackball also helped.
Somethings get bad cumulatively so changing and adjusting ergonomics can really work.

 

[Kuorider]

You may have a fracture of the scaphoid bone , google for info . Common on hands that use tools requiring a gripping action. A change of handlebars to North Road pattern may help. Also excessive use of the Portuguese Hand pump can acerbate this problem.

 

[tommie]

Had to get these---> http://www.amazon.co.uk/Raleigh-RNH360-Rounder-Comfort-Handlebar/dp/B002OBKRGU/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1454013831&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=north+road+handlebars

plus a Riser to get any sort of relief from lower back pain

 

[cwah]

make me wonder if it's related to my bike geometry?

i still need something decently aerodynamic. i don't think i have any broken bone!

 

[Geebee]

i still need something decently aerodynamic

A NoCom?

 

[cwah]

A NoCom?

and need to deal with london crazy traffic + potholes

 

[SRS]

make me wonder if it's related to my bike geometry?

i still need something decently aerodynamic. i don't think i have any broken bone!

Judging by the low saddle height the frame is looking exceptionally long.
Despite the height of the bars, could it be that you are over stretched placing a lot of weight on your wrists.

 

[flecc]

make me wonder if it's related to my bike geometry?

The photo in this post appears to show the handgrip areas of the bars are inclined upwards at the outer end. That's definitely unnatural and will be twisting your arms and could adversely affect the wrists.

They should never point above level at the outer end and are better inclined downwards and a bit rearwards if possible. Below is an example of bars used upside down to get a natural arm and wrist position: