Installed bar ends today

[wildhawk]

I went to our LBS today and added bar ends to my hybrid - what a difference in hand positions! The weather was too nasty for a full ride, but I tooled around the neighborhood before the rain came and can’t wait for a full ride tomorrow! Now I have multiple hand positions which should help my wrists considerably - just have to get used to my bike having “horns”!! And I finally got my seat up to the right height - that made quite a difference too! Love my new cutout Rav-X gel seat!! New stuff for the bike - yay!! Just wanted to share!!

[twin]

I love bar ends and they work nicely

[badgercat]

My hybrid has very straight bars that give me wrist trouble on longer rides, and I'm thinking about adding bar ends as well since I think putting on entirely new bars would be a little too costly for me at this point. I'm interested to hear how you like them after you have a chance to ride a little longer with them. I'm personally a little hesitant about using them on the roads, because I wonder if I needed to brake suddenly or something if I'd be able to do that as effectively or if I'd just fumble for the levers and crash. :cool:

[jsdilks]

I use them on the back of the tandem and it allows me to sort of "rest" my hands on top as we ride around. I can grip as I can when we take a turn or need to do something other that go straight. They do look odd:) but it's made a huge difference for my wrists and arm. Good luck with them.

[bounceswoosh]

I don't have bar ends on my mountain bike -- which I ride exclusively on trails, so it's a different situation -- but I do have a bum wrist, and I found some grips that work great for me. They provide a platform so that my wrist can't sag. My hand therapist approves =)

http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/grips/

I have the GP1. They're mounted at just the right angle so that they support my wrist in a neutral position.

There are other models that have a small bar end as well as the platform.

[Chicken Little]

Funny you should post this, I just stuck bar ends on my commuter, also. I went ahead and wrapped the whole bar and end in some cool tape. Big difference in looks and comfort.

[wildhawk]

Unfortunately for the second day in a row, Hurricane Gustav kept us off of our bikes here in the Tampa Bay area - strong wind gusts and intermittent rain squalls. But we are thankful that we are being spared the storm and our hearts and prayers go out to the Gulf coasts states affected. Anyway, we have the whole week off and will be riding lots. I will post back on here how the new bar ends are working out. All I could do today was polish up my bike and hang out here on the forums! We picked up some Clif blocks - anyone on here try those? It will be in the 90s the rest of the week, so we thought we would try those out while riding in the heat. My new bike shorts should be in too by mid-week - I have had it with chafing - argh.

[wildhawk]

O.K. I promised I would get back to you on the new bar ends. We finally got back out on our bikes yesterday and I can honestly tell you that the new bar ends made all the difference in the world! I had much better control over steering, absolutely NO hand pain, numbness or tingling and I love them!!! I even sprinted past my hubby twice and he was thrilled to see me so happy! With no hand issues I was able to concentrate on my leg work more. Now he is thinking about adding them to his bike! Now, if those new bike shorts would just come in…

[badgercat]

Glad to hear they're working out well for you! :)

[LoriO]

How timely this post is! I am having bike ends added on to my bike too. I have terrible carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel issues in my right hand/elbow which have been causing a lot of pain and numbness when I ride. I have had cubital tunnel surgery which relocated the ulnar nerve towards the front of my arm and due to the CTS I already have enough nerve damage and worry about the pain and numbness while biking may add to it.

I stopped at the LBS yesterday and talked to them and we decided to give those a try. Hearing that they have made such a difference to you and others really gets my hopes up! Now I can't wait to get my bike back so I can try it (it's getting a quick tune up too while it is there).

[wildhawk]

Lori O: I hope that the bar ends help you as much as they have me. We went for a 14 mile ride yesterday and again, no pain, numbness or tingling. The key also is to ride with relaxed hands. I found before I put on the bar ends that I was gripping too hard. With the new bar ends, I am totally relaxed and more in control of the bike. The bar ends can also be adjusted to whatever position is more comfortable for you. Here is a pic of my bike to show you where I have mine positioned. Let me know what you think when you try yours out.

[LoriO]

Thanks for the pic, that gives me a good idea about where to start with mine. I actually do have very relaxed hands when I ride, it is just the position where my right hand is at seems to really irritate that ulner nerve. Left hand is fine, never a problem, just the right.

The other option was using bike tape and foam to make a wedge to put the right hand at an angle it is comfortable at. I really think the bike ends are going to work.

I'll hopefully get to try it out tomorrow, I'll let you know.