ndr
friend
Reged: 08/10/04
Posts: 25
Loc: Los Altos, CA
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Does anyone else get sore hands when doing long steep descents? It seems like braking while resting hands on the drops puts a lot of pressure on the angle near the little finger/heel area. What have you done to avoid.
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Saxon
friend
Reged: 12/23/03
Posts: 28
Loc: Sacramento, CA
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Those long, steep descents put a lot of extra pressure on the arms and hands. I've had the same problem. Try switching off and breaking in the drops for awhile. I do arm and hand strengthening exercises to help on long descents.
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
   
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 714
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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Any excercise that would strengthen your triceps and your handgrip will help a lot.
-------------------- Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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superunleaded
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 223
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I moved the levers up to the point that it looks like a bullhorn on one of my bikes when I had the same problem and that took care of the numbing. On another bike, I tilted the levers to point a little bit inwards which put most of the pressure on the middle of the palm. It took a lot of adjusting before I zeroed in on the most comfortable lever position for me. The quickest test you could try is to rotate the hbar so the levers points upward. It'll look funky for a while but if it works for you, then reposition the bar and levers. Let us know how it works out for you. I'm sure someone around here could use the info you could provide. thanks in advance...
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Kevan
journeyman
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 70
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I think Bruce, who frequents here...
drags both his feet to help slow his speed and relieve his hands from all the work.
Never seen him actually do it, but it's the word being passed amongst the club members.
Bruce, quit dragging your feet!
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
   
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 714
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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I run Dura Ace 'briftrers' set somewhat high on my bars. When going downhill I'm usually braking from the hoods, not the drops. During the season I do exercises to strengthen my triceps and my hand grip. All of this allows me not to have sore hands.
It took me a while to find the right combo of handlebars and hood position where I could ride for a very long time without hand discomfort. One of the biggest 'discoveries' was using a wider bar, which allows for varied hand placements.
-------------------- Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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superunleaded
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 223
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sssshhhhhhhhh...
be quiet now Kevan.
You might wake up the sleeping COG heads.
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ndr
friend
Reged: 08/10/04
Posts: 25
Loc: Los Altos, CA
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Thanks all. Will try some of the various suggestions. With the "Death Ride" as a goal it would be nice not to feel like I have to let go.
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cccyclist
journeyman
Reged: 09/27/05
Posts: 80
Loc: Central California
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From my experience on the Death Ride, everything else hurts so bad, you hardly will notice the hand thing.
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