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Recently i have noticed that my hands are becoming a bit sore when out on the road bike, i was wondering if carbon bars would help this.
Looking at these FSA bars from planet x
Possibly, but look at tyre width, pressure and definitely tubeless first.(edit)
Just looked at the link and i have K force bars on my posh summer bike. They are very good and comforable.
Double wrapped bars and ditching the gloves worked for me.
As Gooner69 says. Wider rims and/or wider tyre at lower pressure will make more difference than carbon bars.
Core strength exercises? Maybe putting too much weight through your hands.
I double wrap the bars too on the top. Makes a big difference.
What wheels are you running?
Fit could be the issue and you are putting too much weight through the hands. Saying that, however, my Brand X carbon bars are almost disconcertingly flexible and are really comfy when in the drops. I’m not sure I can notice the difference when I’m on the hoods.
Position needs a fettle. Start with the saddle not the bars. You need a neutral fore and aft position that unloads the weight on the arms. My bet is you are a little too stretched out. Try moving saddle 0.5 cm foreword and make sure it’s level.
There is a lot of fake FSA stuff out there, no way would I trust PX as a source of quality components
Been in the same situation - gloves solved my problem.
No, carbon bars are unlikely to solve the problem. As others have said, tyres and tyre pressure will have a much greater impact. Reach and drop are also an important point. I've had carbon bars on my road bike, but switched to alloy mainly because I found a bar that was shaped to my needs.
More aero flatter bars and fizik bar gel for me.
What wheels are you running?
Ambrosia keba rims with 28 conti gp 4 seasons at 100 psi
Core strength exercises?
Interesting, Never thought of that
Position needs a fettle.
Think I will try this first.
Thanks everyone
Fizik bar gel is a good idea. Specialized do an equivalent.
A bit left field, but I've found that the "tackiness" of Lizard Skins DSP bar tape means I'm not having to squeeze the bars so tightly, thus reducing numbness from vibration. Might be worth a try.
There is a lot of fake FSA stuff out there, no way would I trust PX as a source of quality components
Do you really think px are selling knock off fsa carbon parts? Really? Why?
28s at 100psi?
I think that’s your problem.
28mm at 100psi is pretty high.
Try them at 80. I run my front at around 75 but happy to go lower too.
It'll be position and very unlikely tyre pressure or bar material, as said above you'll more than likely have too much weight on your hands when on the hoods or drops
I've recently been running my 28mm 4 Seasons (that measure ~29mm) at ~92/98PSI f/r... Increase by ~+3 both ends due to putting on some weight in recent months to ~82Kg; bike with 1.5l of water is ~10.5Kg; cycling kit ~2Kg; mobile/repair kit/pump/food ~0.5Kg (so ~95Kg all in).
I've been looking at those FSA and Selcof carbon bar deals myself at PX, including the bundle with tri bars for £100 (although I have big reservations of using them without an extra set of hydraulic brake levers on the ends, which even if possible, sounds expensive to me). Few other bits there at good prices in the https://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/deals/sale?sort=price-desc including the Selcof carbon seat post for £50, shame I have to be restrained on treats at mo due to annoying flat rent hike of ~18% (albeit we last had an increase May 2016)!
28s at 100psi?
I'm 85kg in birthday suit (apologies for mental image) and run my 25mm GP 4seasons at 70psi! Albeit on 19mm internal rims.
My hands got quite uncomfortable on my new Trek MTB (even with front suspension) until I lowered the tyre pressure a bit.
I've run carbon bars - many are stiffer / harsher.
Lower pressures / tubeless / bigger tyres if possible is where I'd start.
Gel bar tape and mitts can help too - but too fat can be counter-productive
Bike fit changes such as raising / shortening reach (flip stem) and getting weight back on the saddle can help - but don't move the saddle forward as it puts more weight on the hands.
but don’t move the saddle forward as it puts more weight on the hands.
Tilt yes, moving no. Your body and arms make. Triangle and the centre if gravity pulls down. A shorter base will give a lower moment about the saddle that is matched by the arms. It will only be a small adjustment though.
The key is to be balanced on the saddle. Where weight is taken through the legs. Then bend forwards until comfortable. Your flexibility and arm length determines your reach and stack.
28 conti gp 4 seasons at 100 psi
Ok so I'm only 56kg but I run them at 60psi and I'm certain I could go down to 50
I got the "3T Ernova Team Stealth Handlebar" for £69 from Wiggle. Lovely bars but if anything I would say they are slightly stiffer than the ally ones I replaced. Having said that I am still making minor adjustments to get the fit right...
Tyres, bike fit and the shape of the handlebars (plus possibly the layout of any padding in your gloves and what bar wrap you use) will make far more difference.
So if they're the right shape, then yes. Alternatives to double wrapping are available, my dad uses some sort of thick foamy grip that doesn't wrap but goes on more like a MTB grip after the bike shop told him off for double wrapping haha. I find having a flat section on the drops rather than the quite common fully curved drop helps, and avoiding gloves with gel etc. as it's usually quite unevenly placed (no problems with normal/traditional track mitts).
This may be a stupid question, but won't I get more punctures if I lower the psi on my tyres?
much agree all the comments about saddle position also rotation of bars
disagree the comment ref Planet X their service and difficult to deal with may often irritate but would consider a reputable company
for gravel I run some gel pads under the tape and seems to help for all day rides
just ordered one of these as seem popular among local gravel riders:
https://cyclingtips.com/2018/08/redshift-sports-shockstop-stem-review/
stem with elastomer bits in it - but saddle and bars first
zero input on actual question never run a carbon fork on a road bike
This may be a stupid question, but won’t I get more punctures if I lower the psi on my tyres?
How will something with the ability to deform over an object get more punctures than one that can't. You just need enough to stop pinch flats.
Yeah, there is a higher risk of pinch flats but that's entirely within your control, don't slam straight into potholes and kerbs!
Appreciate that is easier said than done sometimes, I seem to have an 'understanding' with my local roads and have have been lucky for a couple of years now.
Maybe there's an art to 'riding light' and avoiding puncture causing debris, my friend is faster but lighter than me and has constant problems at higher pressures with thorns and pinch flats.
It only makes a slight difference. Most important thing for sore hands IME is the riding position. Too much weight on your hands makes them sore.
For hand comfort I use gel pads under the tape. Mostly this helps cos it makes the tape a lot thicker I reckon.