MTB fit question?

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jmaccyd
Posts: 120
Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 4:12 pm

by jmaccyd

Got a new bike and the fit seems fine. No problem with back, shoulders, neck, arms etc but am getting a sore left wrist (er...no jokes here please!) that makes any ride of three hours very uncomfortable. No problem with the right side, but that has the 1 x 11 gear change on so I am maybe moving that hand and wrist about a bit more. I wondered if I was riding with the wrist 'cocked' so have turned the handlebars down several degrees but it does not seem really to have helped that much (maybe a little) The handlebars are straight XC type and the stem is the standard one fitted with the bike (Specialised World Cup) So, anyone else had this problems and what did you do to ease the issue? Longer stem? Swept up bars rather than straight?

by Weenie


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boots2000
Posts: 1393
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:28 pm

by boots2000

Is wrist cocked up or down?
I have been more comfortable with a bar with more sweep than stock- I like 9-10 degrees.
Easton makes a nice one.
I also sometimes get hand pain- right thumb and sometimes hand cramps. I have had bikes with gropshift- it works better for problem hands.
Lastly- bike setup it important. Too short or too long of reach will make you rotate your hands in funny ways.
My formula is to go longer than tops (on my road bike), shorter than hoods.

jmaccyd
Posts: 120
Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 4:12 pm

by jmaccyd

I think it is 'cocked' slightly up, so that is why I am thinking of turning the bars down. It is only the left wrist but I am wondering if a bar with some sweep might help. I do mainly ride the road but have been doing much more MTBing this season.

KWalker
Posts: 5722
Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:30 pm
Location: Bay Area

by KWalker

I have the same bike. The bars are 6 deg rise and 6 sweep. I tried an Enve flat, which is 0 rise and 9 deg sweep and never got along with it. Now on MCFK flat, which is 0 rise and 6 deg sweep. Stem is a 120 -17 from the stock 100mm -6. Zero issues.

I'd dial in the stem length and rise first based on handling and weight distribution then fine tune the bars. For me bars that flare the outer end out or up tend to put pressure on the outside of my palms.
Don't take me too seriously. The only person that doesn't hate Froome.
Gramz
Failed Custom Bike

jmaccyd
Posts: 120
Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 4:12 pm

by jmaccyd

I am getting some pins and needles in the left hand as well. None of this is happening in the right hand though!

mattr
Posts: 4671
Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 6:43 pm
Location: The Grim North.

by mattr

Your hands are different. Left to right.
I get this too. More sweep has lessened it, but the only real solution (for me) is to lose weight.

boots2000
Posts: 1393
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:28 pm

by boots2000

Also- you might try some different grips.
Stock Spec. grips are pretty firm.
ESI or Ergon grips might help.

bm0p700f
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by bm0p700f

grips will help of the stock ones are round.
other wise this is a difficult one to fix without trail and error.

I use thompson flat bars and a 120mm stem on my Large Kenesis FF29. I have the thomspon road stem upside down so I get a road position. Hands still in the wrong postion though i.e on the tops. The problem with flat bars is the one postion for your hands.

Going to try Nitto RM3 bars (lauter wasser) but that will mean a change to road STI and Di2 oh what a shame.

KWalker
Posts: 5722
Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:30 pm
Location: Bay Area

by KWalker

The stock grips blow. ESI Chunky work great for me and almost anyone I've ever known.

Not everyone is symmetrical. Sometimes it only takes a mm or two to hit a nerve. My right hand hurts more than my left when it has issues.
Don't take me too seriously. The only person that doesn't hate Froome.
Gramz
Failed Custom Bike

jmaccyd
Posts: 120
Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 4:12 pm

by jmaccyd

Oh OK thanks did't even think of the grips. I will change them first as an inexpensive option. Thanks.

by Weenie


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MikeMoore
Posts: 97
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:19 pm
Location: Midlands, UK
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by MikeMoore

ESI Fit CRs are very good too, but do compound the one hand position issue. Try the ESI chunkys - but get decent bar plugs!
Weight 74.4kg, FTP 303W => 4.04 W/kg

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