Vertical hand grip?

parking_question_chap

Hi

I have a hybrid bike with a flat handle bar. I think it has been giving me shoulder/bicep trouble (aggrevating an old injury). Ideally I need attachments for the handle bars to allow my hands to have a grip closer to vertical rather than horizontal. Do such attachments exist? Or do I need a whole new handlebar?

PenguinOfDeath

They do, not tried them myself yet but ebay is your friend...vertical bar ends or something similar...

Manxman_in_exile

You can buy bar ends that attach to the ends of the existing handlebar. If you aren't confident fitting them yourself try your local bike shop. I'd buy them from there too.

Cyclamen

I am not a cyclist but almost certain I have just put what you want in a charity shop bag. I know not much help.

I have a wheelchair and my husband cycled a lot in his youth so knew about handlebar extensions. They bolt onto the handles and stick straight up with a curve at the top. Made it far easier for a tall person to push my chair.

There were a few types hanging on the wall in our local cycle shop so hopefully easy to find.

Johnmcl7

Bar ends are definitely one option, another is to have bars which curve back so the grips come towards you rather than away to the sides which I know some people favour as it's more comfortable on their wrists and shoulders.

John

davomcdave

The good thing with bar ends if you're struggling with a pre-existing injury is that they allow you to change position as you ride. I have problems with back and knees and I find it really helpful to be able to change positions.

parking_question_chap

Hmm, I was rather hoping I there would be a contraption I would mount to the inside of the handle bars rather than on the end. The end is a little too wide for comfort.

davomcdave

parking_question_chap wrote: »

Hmm, I was rather hoping I there would be a contraption I would mount to the inside of the handle bars rather than on the end. The end is a little too wide for comfort.

I just find that the ability to change position is enough. Could a set of time trial bars help?

Alternatively if you can weld , or have a mate that can, could you weld a piece of metal tubing in a helpful spot?

parking_question_chap

Welding possibly could be an option

Maybe vertical drops at the end would be ok. All I know if the horizontal position is aggrevating an old shoulder injury.

davomcdave

parking_question_chap wrote: »

Welding possibly could be an option

Maybe vertical drops at the end would be ok. All I know if the horizontal position is aggrevating an old shoulder injury.

The other thing that could help would be to use a shorter stem to make your riding position more upright. That should mean you put less weight on the bars and more on your saddle which should reduce the weight being put through your shoulder in turn.

If you have a good local bike shop they should be able to advise. It may cost a few more £££ than eBay but the advice they give can be worth much more than any amount you can save and if you don't use them they'll disappear (sorry, I know that isn't very MSE but it is true).

Nebulous2

Dutch style bikes are often called "sit up and beg" bikes, because the riding position is more upright. Stems often rotate at the bars as well, so you can raise them, at the same time bringing them closer to yourself. I know someone who struggled with wrist pain who moved to one of these and it made all the difference. Like this one.

I suppose it depends how much it is bothering you and how much time, effort and money you are prepared to commit, without any guarantee whatever you try will help.