My wife has a Trek Dual Sport+, but my question can be related to any "fitness" bike with straight handlebars. She has terrible arthritis in her hands and any pressure on them really decreases her joy of riding, but she really likes the bike. I have already added a stem riser and that helped a little bit in moving the weight from her hands to the saddle. I was thinking of a different set of bars and maybe an adjustable stem. I know the cables would probably need to be lengthened so I would have a shop do it. Before I visit one, I would appreciate some ideas on bars because of the huge variety, and whether or not an adjustable stem would help to "fine tune it". I think it will help but I don't want it to be a wasted effort. Thank you.
Raising Handlebars to Ease Hand Pressure
- Thread starter Drozdster
- Start date
RunForTheHills
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
Here's a recent discussion on the topic: https://forums.electricbikereview.com/threads/new-handlebar.59079/
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Welcome aboard!
Have never changed a bar, so no help there. But I have gotten some relief with stem adjustments on my commuter.
Given that the best configuration for your wife may not be what you expect, an adjustable stem sounds like good insurance to me. Weight's not a big concern on the commuter, and the adjustable stem's been nothing but an asset.
zbikeman
Member
- Region
- USA
@Drozdster, on my Sirrus X 5.0, Vado SL 4.0 and my wife's Vado 4.0, I replaced the stock bars all with the same bar:
www.tradeinn.com
32mm rise and 47mm backsweep are much easier on the wrists and hands than the bars that came with any of these bikes.
I'd start there before moving to a different stem. Sometimes the simple combo of more rise + more sweep does wonders.
Ergotec Trekking 32 mm 45º Grip 184 mm handlebar, Black | Bikeinn
Get Ergotec Trekking 32 mm 45º Grip 184 mm in Black for 24.99 $. Ideal for bike with fast delivery. Buy Handlebars at Bikeinn!
32mm rise and 47mm backsweep are much easier on the wrists and hands than the bars that came with any of these bikes.
I'd start there before moving to a different stem. Sometimes the simple combo of more rise + more sweep does wonders.
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
I also have arthritis in my hands and sympathize with what your wife is experiencing.
I tried swapping parts and made adjustments over several seasons and found these to be the most helpful.
I added a stem riser with a suspension stem and replaced the straight bars with Jones H bars that have a back sweep. That helped but I got the most relief by adding ergonomic grips and using good quality riding gloves with gel padding.
Many claim a suspension stem isn't necessary if the bike has front suspension, but I tried one anyway and it did help. It eliminated most of the high frequency vibration that the front forks did not. There are several available but I chose this one from Redshift. I chose one with a 30 degree up angle, which gave me a little more bar height.
redshiftsports.com
Not cheap at $199 but I took a gamble and, for me anyway, it was worth the price. The trick is to use just a single soft elastomer in the stem.
These adds required cable extensions, which for my bike anyway, were available online. Not sure if they would fit the Trek though.
If you're not a DIY'er, it might be best to let your LBS do the work.
Good luck!
I tried swapping parts and made adjustments over several seasons and found these to be the most helpful.
I added a stem riser with a suspension stem and replaced the straight bars with Jones H bars that have a back sweep. That helped but I got the most relief by adding ergonomic grips and using good quality riding gloves with gel padding.
Many claim a suspension stem isn't necessary if the bike has front suspension, but I tried one anyway and it did help. It eliminated most of the high frequency vibration that the front forks did not. There are several available but I chose this one from Redshift. I chose one with a 30 degree up angle, which gave me a little more bar height.
ShockStop Suspension Stem for Gravel, Road and Mountain Bikes
The minimal design of the ShockStop Stem blends seamlessly with the aesthetic of modern bikes, while reducing fatigue and strain. Along with the ShockStop Suspension Seatpost, this system works together to suspend the rider and smooth out rough terrain on the bike you already own, making your...
redshiftsports.com
Not cheap at $199 but I took a gamble and, for me anyway, it was worth the price. The trick is to use just a single soft elastomer in the stem.
These adds required cable extensions, which for my bike anyway, were available online. Not sure if they would fit the Trek though.
If you're not a DIY'er, it might be best to let your LBS do the work.
Good luck!
Gionnirocket
Well-Known Unidentified Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Y. O.
I think this is a very personal plight and somewhat hard to nail down. I've tried a little bit of everything and it all seems to help some in the beginning. I've concluded that it's the ability to change position while riding that helps me the most. I now ride with horns added to the end of the bars so I can switch things up while riding... even holding one horn and one bar grip at times.
I prefer the ones not built into a grip so they can be rotated and fit independently. Sometimes I hold them as designed and other times I just rest my palms on the top. Again not staying static is the key for me.
My hands can go numb holding my tablet it the same position for 10 minutes... and that's with the weight resting on my lap with a pillow. So my issue isn't tied to biking alone.
I prefer the ones not built into a grip so they can be rotated and fit independently. Sometimes I hold them as designed and other times I just rest my palms on the top. Again not staying static is the key for me.
My hands can go numb holding my tablet it the same position for 10 minutes... and that's with the weight resting on my lap with a pillow. So my issue isn't tied to biking alone.
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Nvreloader
Western Nevada
- Region
- USA
I added this type of adjustable stem, made all the difference in the riding,
can also be be swung 180* forward/backward for more adjustment,
be sure to get the correct size for your handle bars.
https://www.amazon.com/BESNIN-Adjustable-Mountain-Handlebar-Bicycle/dp/B0CGLLV69N/ref=sr_1_15
Hope this helps,
Tia
can also be be swung 180* forward/backward for more adjustment,
be sure to get the correct size for your handle bars.
https://www.amazon.com/BESNIN-Adjustable-Mountain-Handlebar-Bicycle/dp/B0CGLLV69N/ref=sr_1_15
Hope this helps,
Tia
Great tips, thank you! I forgot to say that she does have bar ends for variety already, some help. I did add the Redshift stem, again, some help, but she needs something more. Lowered tire pressure too. When I ask her to try sitting more upright while riding, she said that gives her the most relief. Makes sense I guess, move the weight from the hands to the saddle. Thanks for the handlebar suggestions!
Gionnirocket
Well-Known Unidentified Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Y. O.
One last thing that I do is to be proactive with anti inflammatory drugs. Though I hate to be a pill pusher, applying some Voltaren before a long ride or taking some Tylenol and/or Aleve help much more than coming home all inflamed and then taking them.
I have a Vado SL too. So this handlebar worked good for you? Did you try any other ones too?@Drozdster, on my Sirrus X 5.0, Vado SL 4.0 and my wife's Vado 4.0, I replaced the stock bars all with the same bar:
Ergotec Trekking 32 mm 45º Grip 184 mm handlebar, Black | Bikeinn
Get Ergotec Trekking 32 mm 45º Grip 184 mm in Black for 24.99 $. Ideal for bike with fast delivery. Buy Handlebars at Bikeinn!
32mm rise and 47mm backsweep are much easier on the wrists and hands than the bars that came with any of these bikes.
I'd start there before moving to a different stem. Sometimes the simple combo of more rise + more sweep does wonders.
stompandgo
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
Shorten her stem, or the bike is too big for her. You could try pullback bars. Cables may or may not need to be changed.
Thanks for the pic! That really helps to visualize.Did all the cables still reach?
zbikeman
Member
- Region
- USA
Cables still reach despite the added rise and sweep.
The idea is to bring the bars back to your body for a more comfortable upright riding position.
The riding position as set up with most stock flat bar bikes is too far forward and aggressive for us older folks. We need a more relaxed riding position.
The idea is to bring the bars back to your body for a more comfortable upright riding position.
The riding position as set up with most stock flat bar bikes is too far forward and aggressive for us older folks. We need a more relaxed riding position.
PedalUma
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Petaluma, CA
CXWXC Adjustable MTB Stem 31.8mm 70 Degree - 90/110/145mm Bike Stem Riser for Handlebar - Aluminum Alloy Mountain Bike Handlebar Riser Extender for MTB Road City Bike Bicycle (31.8 x 145mm)
Trim this bar down about an inch on each side. Use a copper pipe cutter. Everyone loves this handlebar. Ladies like to relax and ride that moustache.
UPANBIKE Urban Road Bike Bicycle Retro Handlebar 31.8mm Moustache Shape Wide 640mm
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