I like to use my Trek FX 2 for paved/gravel trail riding but after an hour or so these grips start to make my wrists hurt. I’d like to be able to work up to riding for a few hours at a time, what have you guys found to be the best bars/grips to use?
by _L7_Weenie_
12 Comments
Move your saddle back. Get a shorter stem. Get a taller stem. You’re putting to much weight on your hands.
Maybe ask the people at r/bikefit
I like the ones that fit me perfectly.
This is something you need to figure out for yourself.
*where* do they hurt? Look for a design that’s big *somewhere else*.
On my MTB I have grips which flare out under the thumb mound and they are super comfy, especially on a rocky downhill, I just get up and lean into them.
It depends on how you ride, too. Pay attention when you ride, are you holding tension where you don’t need to? I’ve seen riders not notice their own “death grip” until someone pointed it out to them.
Grips or hands and wrists?
Usually thats from too much weight leaning forward on the bars. You likely need to adjust your riding posture/position.
I hate that style grip because I can’t wrap my hand around them.
Legendary bike trail bridge. You may want to consider a different handlebar system entirely if you’re gonna do longer rides tho.
As others have mentioned getting your weight distribution more balanced is one key to minimizing hand discomfort. Also look into Ergon GP4 grips or something with a similar shape. These allow you to switch hand positions to help relieve pressure.
While the amount of weight on your hands is likely part of it, in my experience wrist pain can be due to sweep. Some years ago, I followed the trend and got a very straight bar. My wrists hated it. I switched to a bar with more sweep and my wrists are much happier.
I personally don’t like those grips with flat bars but that’s just me. It puts my wrist in an uncomfortable position
Since these aren’t plain round grips the angle is important. Try changing the angle to see if you can find a comfortable position before you look for a replacement.
I replaced plain round grips with something similar from Ergon and once I dialled in the correct angle for me they were the best grips I ever had.
Get some ergon grips, much nicer material and they have some options with extra hand positions.
I have similar grips. I find the angle is critical to comfort. Try tilting up and down a bit to find an angle where your wrist is in a comfortable, neutral position and see if this helps.
Buy a different bike.
I had a Trek FX3. Always had hand and wrist pain from longer rides (20km+)
Tried several different rotation positions for how the palm swell would sit. Nothing worked.
Swapped the isospeed grips out for some Ergon MTB grips that were just a normal round shape. Still didn’t really help.
Bought a drop bar bike, and it’s been great.
There could be other less drastic options with replacing the handlebars with something with more sweep. But if you’re like me it’s the wrist position, and no grip change is going to be the answer