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really bad cramping hands when riding last week

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Topic: really bad cramping hands when riding last week (Read 273 times)

orangesrule
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really bad cramping hands when riding last week
« on: November 26, 2008, 17:55:02 PM »

right riding last week, i was only running one brake as the front broke. was bitterly cold and wasn't wearing glove at the bottom of a run (3 minutes plus) my hands/fingers had cramped up really badly i litterally had to pull my fingers straight after each of the last 4 runs i did.

Its never happened before ,though recently i've changed from 635 bars to 737, i also run my brake lever(s) at a fairly slack angle.

any one else ever experienced this or has got any tips to help it to not happen again?

is a tad worrying really - hope its not early signs of arthritis Undecided


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Badgerpoo
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Re: really bad cramping hands when riding last week
« Reply #1 on: November 26, 2008, 18:04:40 PM »

I get this, mostly on the more bumpy runs, although I do ride a hardtail. I've not yet figured out the cause but have come up with some ideas:

Over-gripping the bars (ie holding on too tightly)
I've tried experimenting with holding on to the bars less tightly, but this seems to make it worse as you seemingly get more vibration.

Grips too small/large
I havn't tried any different grips yet

Brake lever reach too far away
Thought maybe that over reaching would do something to the joints. As you were getting the same problem even without one of the brakes maybe this is discounted.

Brake lever angle wrongly set
My levers are pretty much in line with my arms and it seems comfortable at other times.

Arthritis or some kind of "white finger"?
Sad


« Last Edit: November 26, 2008, 18:08:38 PM by Badgerpoo »	Logged

Charlie.
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Re: really bad cramping hands when riding last week
« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2008, 18:20:31 PM »

I get it on my hardtail but not on my big bike riding the same tracks.

the over grip isnt a problem or the grip thickness or the way the brakes are.

I put it down to my hands getting pounded continually. The track i get it on is seriously rough. They return back to normal after 3 or 4 mins. Also i get it with or without gloves.


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orangesrule
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Re: really bad cramping hands when riding last week
« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2008, 18:33:24 PM »

this track i was riding was super smooth - all benched into the side of the hill, very pumpy and fast - i couldn't do the full dh track because i was lacking a front brake. My grips are quite fat, though i've used them on both my reign x and ht for the past 18months.


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pepsi max
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Re: really bad cramping hands when riding last week
« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2008, 18:44:02 PM »

i used to get dramped up hands sailing. before you ride+ each run, stretch your fingers back (interlock them and flexxxx). loosens the muscles n s**t.and relax when you ride, go with the floww. peace maan!


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dave k
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Re: really bad cramping hands when riding last week
« Reply #5 on: November 30, 2008, 21:04:11 PM »

in mt experience it comes from gripping bars to tightly and whilst your muscles are under stress the vibration from the bike just knott up your muscles. as the chap above said just try to stretch your muscles out but not to violently thou as your can cause tears or tendon injuries its more common in cold muscles as they are less maluable and more sucepable to tears etc. so try and keep ya hands warm and stretch between runs.
hope that helps
D Wink


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dark.for.star
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Re: really bad cramping hands when riding last week
« Reply #6 on: November 30, 2008, 23:31:23 PM »

I used to get this when riding street...
mostly when it was cold,
and always towards the end of the night.
Buy yourself a gripmaster?
I use mine for strength training for rock climbing,
plus, i don't get the cramping anymore. WIN-WIN.


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dhdavem3
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Re: really bad cramping hands when riding last week
« Reply #7 on: Yesterday at 08:44:38 »

one of these have solved all my hand/fore arm cramping issues, also i've noticed i'm braking later into corners as i can modulate alot better
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=29581


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thesku11s
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Re: really bad cramping hands when riding last week
« Reply #8 on: Yesterday at 12:51:28 »

All about the COLD my friend,

as well as numbing your tissue/muscle & stopping blood flow.

Cold also stiffens your joints and ligaments.

Wear warm gloves even if they are not biking ones, comfortable hands will make riding a lot safer.


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billybunter
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Re: really bad cramping hands when riding last week
« Reply #9 on: Yesterday at 18:45:46 »

Quote from: thesku11s on Yesterday at 12:51:28

You sure? I suffered from cramping in Morzine! I imagine cold is a major contributing factor but I think there is other things you could do as well.


« Last Edit: Yesterday* at 19:03:33 by billybunter* »	Logged

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thesku11s
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Re: really bad cramping hands when riding last week
« Reply #10 on: Today at 13:56:42 »

Quote from: billybunter on Yesterday at 18:45:46

Quote from: thesku11s on Yesterday at 12:51:28

You sure? I suffered from cramping in Morzine! I imagine cold is a major contributing factor but I think there is other things you could do as well.

Well obviously there are other things that can cause hand fatigue & cramps. But even on uncomfortable bars etc, the effects would totally minimal.

The poster doesnt mention problems in the past, but it has been suddenly much colder during the past couple weeks.

read:

Quote

was bitterly cold and wasn't wearing glove at the bottom of a run (3 minutes plus) my hands/fingers had cramped up really badly i litterally had to pull my fingers straight after each of the last 4 runs i did.

bitterly cold he says, and no gloves.

How could your hands not cramp up?


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"Computer games don't affect kids. I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music&q

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