Author Topic: preventing wrist tightening pain (Read 4518 times)

b4cruz · « **on:** March 05, 2006, 02:15:38 PM »

Any of you long touring riders have some tips, websites, products or literature on how to keep your wrists from getting strained while riding?

I already have problems from not using my computer mouse properly,
I don't want to screw up my wrist riding my bike improperly.

I'm assuming the most neutral straight hand and forearm is best =
when i tuck in I try to make sure my elbows and waist are bending
not my wrists. It gets really hard to be nice to my wrist in traffic (stop and go); as my whole right arm to my brake finger get so tight and tensed up. It doesn't seem like there are much vibrations in my handle bars (new springs proper tire pressure), but the normal tiny vibrations can't be that good to your joints either.

I would get so depressed if i were to lose my ability to rotate a throttle properly.

Atomicmoondog · « **Reply #1 on:** March 05, 2006, 02:32:42 PM »

I believe that you are on the right track in your thought process.
A couple of points that I might add:
1. Core strength. Maybe do sit-ups (or something to strengthen your abs and lower back) because much of accelerating and stopping can be removed from you wrists with a strong core.
2. Stop correctly. Do not stiffen your arms when stopping. It puts all of the pressure on you wrists. Keep the elbows slightly bent and use your shoulders and core. (The same goes for acceleration also)
3. Grip angle. Are your bars positioned correctly for your wrists? I am not talking about the difference between ape-hangers and clip-ons. I am talking about the angle of the poistion of your wrists in a normal riding position. If you bars are causing you to move your wrists outside of a natural parallel line to your forearm, then this will cause a great deal of fatuge.
4. Hand strength. Weak hands put additional pressure on the wrists (especially the throttle hand). You might try getting one of those squeeze balls to buld up some strength.

IMHO,

-Rick

txbanditrydr · « **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2006, 02:41:25 PM »

Add to this the position of the brake and clutch levers.... you may need to rotate them slightly to keep your wrists at a more neutral position.

ray nielsen · « **Reply #3 on:** March 05, 2006, 02:52:06 PM »

Handlebar vibration causes some fatigue. I've minimized it by using Manic Salamander's heavy bar end weights. Check out <www.manicsalamander.com> for more details.

I also filled the handlebars with steel BBs which removed the last traces of tingle in the grips. I'm using Sun Line's Grand Touring grips which are somewhat barrel shaped and of fairly thick rubber which seems to be part of the solution too.

The previously mentioned ideas are all good too. That neutral line from the forearms through the hands will help a lot. Handlebar rotation to the proper position might be part of the package too along with considering set backs or risers. I prefer the Gan-Mar set backs with an additional 1" spacer under them for a total of 2" up and 1 and 3/8" back which changes all the angles of both back and wrists. I've ridden quite a few 500-600 mile days in relative comfort with these changes to my naked Bandit 1200.

b4cruz · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2006, 05:02:40 PM »

thanks for all the tips
i forgot about core strenthening
the instructor from my old MSF course mentioned it
another one of those important things you take for granted

i only have the short stock bars on my b400
i think i may just start with some touring grips
and keep experimenting with the positionings and levers
the whole handlebar vibration thing has really confused me
http://www.xs11.com/tips/modifications/mods14.shtml

aussiebandit · « **Reply #5 on:** March 06, 2006, 12:51:16 AM »

If you get the wrist problem only on long trips you could try a thottle lock something like the Alta Vista or Metisse product.

Or a wrist guard, I'm not sure what they are really called. But it's simply a piece of plastic that attaches to your grip and simply supports your wrist.

see http://www.bluerim.com.au/

PitterB4 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 06, 2006, 08:44:27 AM »

More votes for core strenght and lever position.

Last spring I went to new bars (Sub Mach Type 1). When I installed them, I had the levers too high. This caused my hand postion to rotate back towards me. I ended up with tendonitis in my right wrist. I rotated the levers lower and have not had further problems.

I also have a hideously bad lower back. Last year I started doing some core strenght training to help with that. I can definitely tell a difference in my ability to keep weight off my hands when braking and so forth.

vadim · « **Reply #7 on:** March 06, 2006, 11:12:55 AM »

Consider replacing your mouse with a track ball. I am a software developer and spend about 10 hours a day in front of a computer. Unfortunately, I feel the effects already, at a tender young age of 26. Switching to a trackball alleviated some of the pain, as well as switching to a Microsoft Natural keyboard and installing the keyboard tray so that keyboard is more or less level with elbows while shoulders are relaxed.

IBM has a good guide on their website: http://www.pc.ibm.com/ww/healthycomputing/we-intro.html

Core strenght may help you on a bike but it doesn't do much in front of your workstation. I can deep squat about 240 pounds (I weight 160) and it still doesn't do a damn bit for my wrists. Though my back is in a pretty good shape :)

Sven · « **Reply #8 on:** March 07, 2006, 04:23:52 PM »

Quote from: "vadim"

Consider replacing your mouse with a track ball. I am a software developer and spend about 10 hours a day in front of a computer.

I have been using the Logitech wireless trackball for the past couple years at home and work and it has really helped with some wrist and shoulder pain associated with too many damn hours spent at the computer.

b4cruz · « **Reply #9 on:** March 07, 2006, 06:07:36 PM »

its pretty amazing
i was comparing the stress i put on my wrists from photoshop scrubbing
to throttle and brake tensing up and they are pretty much equal.

while i love the idea of a trackball its such a comitment
like using a straight razor. i'd have to find the ultimate model
that i would use on everything. until i find that piece i think i'll
just keep conscious of my wrist and my bad habits of causing stress to it.
If i stay intense with photoshop i may move into an expensive tablet and pen too!

mike · « **Reply #10 on:** March 07, 2006, 07:27:16 PM »

Build strength in your index fingers and grip with a squeeze type hand exercise device; and learn to use 2 finger braking and clutching, like motocross style-you'll have more control and not tense up near as much...

Lever position comfort is a major factor....

And to reduce cramps, try http://www.throttlerocker.com

b4cruz · « **Reply #11 on:** March 07, 2006, 09:32:57 PM »

has anyone had luck finding used weighted barends
on ebay or at junk yards? I'd like to experiment with cheap ones
or something i could return locally just incase the frequencies don't
cancel out properly.

b4cruz · « **Reply #12 on:** March 07, 2006, 10:09:17 PM »

Quote from: "mike"

Build strength

i like that throttle rocker alot

i found these exercises too
http://www.holistic-online.com/remedies/Arthritis/arth_hand-and-wrist-exercises.htm
http://ergocise.com/wrists.html
http://www.labs.agilent.com/personal/Danny_Abramovitch/wrist/wrist.html

my doctor was telling me to change activities too
like bring my guitar with me to work and take breaks
doing other things with my hands using the squeeze balls

At stop lights on the bike I do Wrist Stretches
even if people laugh at me