Cycling UK Forum

Tricyclebell wrote: ↑3 Nov 2023, 6:48pm Hello to all you arthritic cyclists. Just wondering what folk are doing when they develop wrist/hand arthritis and find their bars are no longer comfortable. I currently have straight bars with Ergo bar ends which have been great but now feel I want more position options. My bike is comfortable, I have provided extra shock absorption via silicone metatarsal pads on my hands (fantastic) but sometimes I feel I want to sit up more and then I want to be stretched out. My first port of call is to go onto wider tyres, I currently ride 28s on 650 wheels (it's a very small bike for a very small person). Disc brakes have helped as my hands are quite weak. I am looking at butterfly bars but they are much wider than would be recommended for my shoulder width. Any tips would be appreciated.

Tricyclebell wrote: ↑3 Nov 2023, 6:48pm I am looking at butterfly bars but they are much wider than would be recommended for my shoulder width. Any tips would be appreciated.

Psamathe wrote: ↑3 Nov 2023, 7:31pm Screenshot 2023-11-03 at 19.29.49.png

Ian

Paulatic wrote: ↑3 Nov 2023, 7:50pm Have you considered Geoff bars https://www.planetx.co.uk/products/on-o ... -handlebar

I replaced some straight bars with them a few years ago and still happy with them.

JohnR wrote: ↑3 Nov 2023, 10:17pm

Tricyclebell wrote: ↑3 Nov 2023, 6:48pm I am looking at butterfly bars but they are much wider than would be recommended for my shoulder width. Any tips would be appreciated.

What about the Ergotec AHS handlebars in 510mm width https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/handlebars/ ... mp-silver/ ?

Nearholmer wrote: ↑3 Nov 2023, 8:29pm Not prompted by arthritis, but by a general want of comfort and several hand positions on flat bars, and after trying many things, and in the light of lots of advice here, the solution I’ve found best is:

Cut the bars down to close to shoulder width (I couldn’t go quite that far because I wouldn’t have been able to fit the controls on if I had), then fit Ergon GP5 grips with the bar-ends in a near-horizontal position.

The long bar ends on the grips allow a leaning slightly forward stance when wanted.

Hopefully, Colin531 will show his own design, because to me that looks even better.

gbnz wrote: ↑3 Nov 2023, 10:05pm

Tricyclebell wrote: ↑3 Nov 2023, 6:48pm Hello to all you arthritic cyclists. Just wondering what folk are doing when they develop wrist/hand arthritis and find their bars are no longer comfortable. I currently have straight bars with Ergo bar ends which have been great but now feel I want more position options. My bike is comfortable, I have provided extra shock absorption via silicone metatarsal pads on my hands (fantastic) but sometimes I feel I want to sit up more and then I want to be stretched out. My first port of call is to go onto wider tyres, I currently ride 28s on 650 wheels (it's a very small bike for a very small person). Disc brakes have helped as my hands are quite weak. I am looking at butterfly bars but they are much wider than would be recommended for my shoulder width. Any tips would be appreciated.

Haven't arthritis, but a semi-arthritic injury affecting the left wrist / hand for past twelve months. Apparently an Osteoarthritic left radiocarpal displaced-articular, arthritic fracture, left distal radius, or something of that sort (Nb. Wasn't on the bike)

Painful on the bike. Have found a no-cost, easy solution has simply been to raise the handlebars slightly, with a slight change in angle, using a disused adjustable stem. And riding with the left hand basically resting on the handlebars has been very effective, no issues on reasonably level, empty roads. Will probably fit the widest/deepest hand grips when they next need changed, as believe that could help. Understand that your disk brakes would help, tend to limit left hand braking myself.

Will probably use latest bargaining with the NHS to have it nailed/de-nerved