Newbie question

On 2005-07-28, Allen penned:

Quoted message said:

Hello, I just purchased a mountain/road bike and was wondering if
there is a add-on handlebar attachment that would provide a way to
steer the bike. I have found that my wrists go numb after awhile.
Something that would clamp on the handlebar with a grip?? I have
seen aero bars but they look like something for long distance road
riding.

Thanks, Al

I really can't picture what you're describing. The handlebars *are* a
way to steer the bike. But anyway, I'm guessing the problem is that
you're resting too much of your weight on your hands. Try using your
core muscles to hold yourself up.

--
monique

"Get a bicycle. You will not regret it, if you live."
-- Mark Twain

"Allen" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello,
I just purchased a mountain/road bike and was wondering if there is a

add-on

Quoted message said:

handlebar
attachment that would provide a way to steer the bike. I have found that

my

Quoted message said:

wrists go numb after awhile. Something that would clamp on the handlebar
with a grip??
I have seen aero bars but they look like something for long distance road
riding.

Thanks,
Al

Maybe you are sitting too upright and bending your wrists too much? Longer
stem, better gloves ...

Bar ends give you different way to grip the bike.
Here's just one example.

http://tinyurl.com/bje7f

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC USA
(Remove XSPAM)

"Allen" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello,
I just purchased a mountain/road bike and was wondering if there is a

add-on

Quoted message said:

handlebar
attachment that would provide a way to steer the bike. I have found that

my

Quoted message said:

wrists go numb after awhile. Something that would clamp on the handlebar
with a grip??
I have seen aero bars but they look like something for long distance road
riding.

Thanks,
Al

This is the bike we purchased as starter/beginner bikes.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=05Expedition

We ride mostly paved trails but starting to wander off on trails at times
(Great Fun!).
I looked at the bar ends and that looks like what I want but don't know how
they would install on the handle bars with the type of grips on this type of
bike. The factory grips act as both the front and back shifters. I have
spent some time surfing the net to see if I could find a bar end that
mounted with two halves so I could position them to the inside of the
factory shifter grips in a slightly forward position to give my hands a
break once and a while, and possibly aid in up hill climbing. It could be
that this is not possible.

Thanks for all the input,
Allen

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Bar ends give you different way to grip the bike.
Here's just one example.

http://tinyurl.com/bje7f

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC USA
(Remove XSPAM)

"Allen" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello,
I just purchased a mountain/road bike and was wondering if there is a

add-on

Quoted message said:

handlebar
attachment that would provide a way to steer the bike. I have found that

my

Quoted message said:

wrists go numb after awhile. Something that would clamp on the handlebar
with a grip??
I have seen aero bars but they look like something for long distance

road

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

riding.

Thanks,
Al

Are you sure the "whole" grip moves, or just the part
that actually shifts your f/r derailleurs?

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC USA
(Remove XSPAM)

"Allen" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

This is the bike we purchased as starter/beginner bikes.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=05Expedition

We ride mostly paved trails but starting to wander off on trails at times
(Great Fun!).
I looked at the bar ends and that looks like what I want but don't know

how

Quoted message said:

they would install on the handle bars with the type of grips on this type

of

Quoted message said:

bike. The factory grips act as both the front and back shifters. I have
spent some time surfing the net to see if I could find a bar end that
mounted with two halves so I could position them to the inside of the
factory shifter grips in a slightly forward position to give my hands a
break once and a while, and possibly aid in up hill climbing. It could be
that this is not possible.

Thanks for all the input,
Allen

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Bar ends give you different way to grip the bike.
Here's just one example.

http://tinyurl.com/bje7f

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC USA
(Remove XSPAM)

"Allen" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello,
I just purchased a mountain/road bike and was wondering if there is a

add-on

Quoted message said:

handlebar
attachment that would provide a way to steer the bike. I have found

that

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

my

Quoted message said:

wrists go numb after awhile. Something that would clamp on the

handlebar

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

with a grip??
I have seen aero bars but they look like something for long distance

road

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

riding.

Thanks,
Al

Allen said:

Hello,
I just purchased a mountain/road bike and was wondering if there is a
add-on handlebar
attachment that would provide a way to steer the bike. I have found
that my wrists go numb after awhile. Something that would clamp on
the handlebar with a grip??
I have seen aero bars but they look like something for long distance
road riding.

Thanks,
Al

as has been suggested, your stem length may be off, you may have a death
grip on the bars, you might need a different shape handle bar

oh, what is a mountain/road bike?

Penny S

I think I get it now.
I doubled checked and there is the grip, and next to it the shifter (held in
place with a set screw).
So it looks like it might be as easy as getting new grips that will
accomidate the bar ends and sliding the shifting part over a little bit, or
cutting the grips to allow for the bar ends and then plugging the ends with
some sort of endcap. It's all a bit new to me but I think I am on the right
track now.

Thanks alot for your input,

Allen

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Are you sure the "whole" grip moves, or just the part
that actually shifts your f/r derailleurs?

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC USA
(Remove XSPAM)

"Allen" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

This is the bike we purchased as starter/beginner bikes.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=05Expedition

We ride mostly paved trails but starting to wander off on trails at

times

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

(Great Fun!).
I looked at the bar ends and that looks like what I want but don't know

how

Quoted message said:

they would install on the handle bars with the type of grips on this

type

Quoted message said:

of

Quoted message said:

bike. The factory grips act as both the front and back shifters. I have
spent some time surfing the net to see if I could find a bar end that
mounted with two halves so I could position them to the inside of the
factory shifter grips in a slightly forward position to give my hands a
break once and a while, and possibly aid in up hill climbing. It could

be

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that this is not possible.

Thanks for all the input,
Allen

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Bar ends give you different way to grip the bike.
Here's just one example.

http://tinyurl.com/bje7f

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC USA
(Remove XSPAM)

"Allen" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
> Hello,
> I just purchased a mountain/road bike and was wondering if there is

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

add-on
> handlebar
> attachment that would provide a way to steer the bike. I have found

that

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

my
> wrists go numb after awhile. Something that would clamp on the

handlebar

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> with a grip??
> I have seen aero bars but they look like something for long

distance

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

road

Quoted message said:

> riding.
>
> Thanks,
> Al
>
>

Hi,
Here is a link to a bike like the one they sold us as a mountain/road bike.
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=05Expedition

We wanted a bike to ride on the miles of paved bike trails in our area and
also some easier dirt trails. When we take them in for a check up I will
mention the stem and handlebars. I feel as beginners they really didn't take
enough time fitting us to the bikes when we bought them and will address
that issue with them too. Short of that we are hooked and ride every chance
we get!

"small change" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Allen said:

Hello,
I just purchased a mountain/road bike and was wondering if there is a
add-on handlebar
attachment that would provide a way to steer the bike. I have found
that my wrists go numb after awhile. Something that would clamp on
the handlebar with a grip??
I have seen aero bars but they look like something for long distance
road riding.

Thanks,
Al

as has been suggested, your stem length may be off, you may have a death
grip on the bars, you might need a different shape handle bar

oh, what is a mountain/road bike?

Penny S

"Allen" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi,
Here is a link to a bike like the one they sold us as a mountain/road
bike.
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=05Expedition

We wanted a bike to ride on the miles of paved bike trails in our area and
also some easier dirt trails. When we take them in for a check up I will
mention the stem and handlebars. I feel as beginners they really didn't
take
enough time fitting us to the bikes when we bought them and will address
that issue with them too. Short of that we are hooked and ride every
chance
we get!

"small change" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Allen said:

Hello,
I just purchased a mountain/road bike and was wondering if there is a
add-on handlebar
attachment that would provide a way to steer the bike. I have found
that my wrists go numb after awhile. Something that would clamp on
the handlebar with a grip??
I have seen aero bars but they look like something for long distance
road riding.

Thanks,
Al

as has been suggested, your stem length may be off, you may have a death
grip on the bars, you might need a different shape handle bar

oh, what is a mountain/road bike?

Penny S

That looks like the K2 I bought for my wife (she doesn't do much trail
riding, mostly streets and paths with the kids).

Years ago I had the numbness problem. Got some gel padded gloves and the
problem went away. But I have to say that these days my gloves don;t have
that much padding and I still don't have a problem.

Happy riding,

OldSteveH

Allen said:

Hi,
Here is a link to a bike like the one they sold us as a mountain/road bike.
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=05Expedition

We wanted a bike to ride on the miles of paved bike trails in our area and
also some easier dirt trails. When we take them in for a check up I will
mention the stem and handlebars. I feel as beginners they really didn't take
enough time fitting us to the bikes when we bought them and will address
that issue with them too. Short of that we are hooked and ride every chance
we get!

Yep. That looks like it'll be good for the paved trails and keep you in
an upright and comfortable position, but with those handlebars it won't
be so good on the dirt if you need to twist and throw it around a bit more.

Problems with numbness in the hands is not an uncommon problem. It's
caused by pressure against the nerves in the wrist and hands. Changing
your riding postion and handlebars can help, flexing your fingers
regularly, and riding gloves can help - especially those with gel pads.

Looking at the picture it seems that you can alter the placement of the
bars if you adjust that bolt on that "elbow" below the handlebars. That
might or might not help. No point adjusting it so far that riding feels
awkward though.
You can probably "rotate" the handlebars slightly if you loosen the
bolts where the stem meets the handlebars.
--
Westie

Ok, you don't need new grips, just take the ones you have
off and cut enough of the "cupped" end off to fit the bar ends
you want. To take them off, stick a screw driver near the
shifter end and squirt some water in there.

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC USA
(Remove XSPAM)

"Allen" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I think I get it now.
I doubled checked and there is the grip, and next to it the shifter (held

in

Quoted message said:

place with a set screw).
So it looks like it might be as easy as getting new grips that will
accomidate the bar ends and sliding the shifting part over a little bit,

or

Quoted message said:

cutting the grips to allow for the bar ends and then plugging the ends

with

Quoted message said:

some sort of endcap. It's all a bit new to me but I think I am on the

right

Quoted message said:

track now.

Thanks alot for your input,

Allen

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Are you sure the "whole" grip moves, or just the part
that actually shifts your f/r derailleurs?

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC USA
(Remove XSPAM)

"Allen" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

This is the bike we purchased as starter/beginner bikes.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=05Expedition

We ride mostly paved trails but starting to wander off on trails at

times

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

(Great Fun!).
I looked at the bar ends and that looks like what I want but don't

know

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

how

Quoted message said:

they would install on the handle bars with the type of grips on this

type

Quoted message said:

of

Quoted message said:

bike. The factory grips act as both the front and back shifters. I

have

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

spent some time surfing the net to see if I could find a bar end that
mounted with two halves so I could position them to the inside of the
factory shifter grips in a slightly forward position to give my hands

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

break once and a while, and possibly aid in up hill climbing. It could

be

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that this is not possible.

Thanks for all the input,
Allen

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
> Bar ends give you different way to grip the bike.
> Here's just one example.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/bje7f
>
> --
> - Zilla
> Cary, NC USA
> (Remove XSPAM)
>
>
> "Allen" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
> news:[email hidden]...
> > Hello,
> > I just purchased a mountain/road bike and was wondering if there

is

Quoted message said:

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> add-on
> > handlebar
> > attachment that would provide a way to steer the bike. I have

found

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that

Quoted message said:

> my
> > wrists go numb after awhile. Something that would clamp on the

handlebar

Quoted message said:

> > with a grip??
> > I have seen aero bars but they look like something for long

distance

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

road
> > riding.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Al
> >
> >
>
>

Allen said:

This is the bike we purchased as starter/beginner bikes.

If you're a starter/beginner, be sure to go to the IMBA website and
read the rules of the trail.

Also, here's a group of Ohioids who ride sometimes and can steer you to
some rides/trails: http://www.spokejunkies.com

JD