I've not been riding my 901 much recently as I've been getting quite a bit of pain in my thumbs, so much so that i spend a fair bit of time riding with them on the top of the bars which clearly isn't very safe especially when it gets rough. I think I'm looked for a new bar with a lot more sweep than the standard 9 degrees, does such a thing exist? I don't seem to be able to search for sweep on the various shop sites.
I had a similar problem. Higher sweep bars are available from the likes of SQLab. However. I fitted some Ergon GE1 grips and they cured it for me. If you look at the design, you'll see they add a couple of degrees of sweep. Might be worth a try.
and a set of TOGs for riding on the top of the bars with control...
I hadn't considered grips. I'm currently running those Specialized Contour grips and have been for quite some time.
Is the pain on the inside of the first knuckle?
No, its more where the thumb joins the hand.
I have this fairly badly - its arthritis in the joint in my case. Ditch the trigger levers and get some twisties - that makes a huge difference to me.
What about some tape along your hand and thumb to support it, could be strain from gear changing.
Don't think its gear related, its in both hands and my bike is a 1x. Arthritis sounds probable though 🙁
Could be cyclists palsy caused by squashing the median nerve in the centre of your hand. My gravel bike bars caused it until I started wearing gloves again and wrapped the bars in thick tape and gel pads. Problem gone.
Also, I second the use of those Ergon grips with the palm rests - they make big trips much more comfortable on a MTB.
The GE1’s don’t have the palm rest I think?
I’ve just put the standard grips back on and gone out for the first time in ten days. Discomfort straight away, left hand especially that’s only partly eased by putting my thumb on top. It seems to be the fleshy part at the base that the main issue. I’ll carry on for a few miles but it’s sufficiently painful for me to want to go back home 😢😢
Well it seems that pressure on the fleshy bit at the base of my thumb is the problem.
Ive developed thumb pain that hangs about after a ride on both my road bike and mountain bike.
I removed the little piece from under the hoods on my road bike and put the harder thinner OEMs back on my Clockwork and its much better but not perfect. Now ive got pains in my palms from the thin grips so am awaiting some Ergon GE01.
If you grips are too big you will be working much harder to hold with you thumb joint forced out..
I have the arthritic thumb problem which makes changing gear painful. I looked for Twisties but couldn't find any to work with 10spd Shimano. Does such a thing exist? Or I am I going to have to go completely Sram with my drivetrain?
