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Hi,

New to this MTB lark.

Took my new bike out for first run yesterday, seem to get a lot of pressure through palms and into wrists. Killing after an hour, wondered if this is to do with stem set up or maybe just comfier grips?

Thanks

Relax
Maybe your using the death grip.
Look how you set-up leavers and brakes over rotation.

Finger tips, hand to wrist should be a straight line.

http://youtu.be/VTVoom62TaI



^Setup leavers


MTBtips



(post from phone)

Brilliant thanks, will look at my setup.

Id second the above hints, Ive not noticed any probs whilst riding locally but on the 5 mins + runs in the Alps you certainly can get knackered wrists/arms due to the length/steepness/braking and braking bumps of the runs, changes I made were to make sure brakes levers are in correct position, ie,. arm/wrist should be straight and one finger braking should be in correct position, I also swapped to some ODI Rouge grips (http://www.singletrackbikes.co.uk/m7b38 ... wwodJWEAQg), quite thickish and softish, really soaked up braking bumps and hardly any wear over 2 years later trips to Alps, local rides, etc

You can alos adjust forks compression settings and/or softer spring/air which can soak up bumps but as mentioned its more likely levers in wrong position.

Well done Jake! , good tips is that!

Once you've done sorting out the bike try some strength/stability exercises. Better core strength and stability will reduce pressure and load on one bit of your body. It doesn't take a lot it sharpen the muscles we all use for riding and all you need is body weight

I also have Ritchey WCS Truegrip Ergo Locking Foam Grips but try your setup first

Spot on advise mate!

All these are top tips another is look at you seat position you might be sitting a bit forward putting extra weight on your wrists

Again many thanks for all the really helpful advice - i'm adjusting my brake levers tonight and will look at seated position. I already do quite a bit of other exercise around core strengthening really helped my running and should be good for my biking also.

I know it always feels weird talking about training for riding but having spent years spannering myself first skating and then riding proper exercises have really helped me keep going feeling good and fixing the niggles that plague us all. I'm the wrong side of 35 now but I've been lucky to work with some great physyo's and sports specific trainers. For wrists, arms and shoulders press ups off balls always made the biggest diffrence. One ball or two it doesn't matter both hands at the same time or under one arm at a time has really helped as the stability muscles are really pushed.
You can take it or leave it but the older I've got the more it's helped so I just thought I'd share...