What did you buy your ebike this week?

[Zimmerframe]

Just as the rain stops .. The bars and guard arrive .. Will have to wait for the next rain for installation !

They don't feel very heavy. Not sure if I should swing them against a tree a few times first to see how they hold up ... ?

 

[chamaruco]

Winter is comin'

 

[Mcharza]

Should've got the OneUp bars... ?

Just switched to Oneup bar. The first 35 mm bar that is not too harsh. Better than my old alu Spank Vibrocore.
Tested today on path which have a lot of rocks and roots.
I really like it.

 

[Timbo]

New multitool

 

[aarfeldt]

Just switched to Oneup bar. The first 35 mm bar that is not too harsh. Better than my old alu Spank Vibrocore.
Tested today on path which have a lot of rocks and roots.
I really like it.

I did exactly the same.....with the same outcome !
Very pleased.

 

[apac]

Sexy new stem so I can change the Kenevo to 35mm bars. New grips for that as mine are worn out from death grip !

Grips with tree deflectors on the end (counterpunch) to try on the Focus, so I don't get hooked up again, when I think I might just slide it. But end up with bars going instant 90 degrees and OTB.

View attachment 72590

I see that LoamLab are testing their own Carbon bar. If you click on the comment on YouTube it has impressive test stats....

 

[Pivot]

Sexy new stem so I can change the Kenevo to 35mm bars. New grips for that as mine are worn out from death grip !

Grips with tree deflectors on the end (counterpunch) to try on the Focus, so I don't get hooked up again, when I think I might just slide it. But end up with bars going instant 90 degrees and OTB.

View attachment 72590

@ZF, please post a picture of your counterpunch grips on your bike.

I installed old horns for changing grip angle on long rides. It worked well on L2B 95km ride, but now and then I hook some bush and I have to fight it off unexpectedly

 

[Zimmerframe]

@ZF, please post a picture of your counterpunch grips on your bike.

I installed old horns for changing grip angle on long rides. It worked well on L2B 95km ride, but now and then I hook some bush and I have to fight it off unexpectedly

Just put one on for you. Plan to do some testing riding into trees with standard grips and these, so haven't put them on properly yet.

Uploaded to an album so as not fill the page with pics

Loam Lab Counterpunch grips

www.emtbforums.com

Edit.. the pics here are probably better than my crappy flash efforts ..

LoamLab Components – Counterpunch

The LoamLab Counterpunch makes clipping trees less problematic by protecting the 5th digit and metacarpal from impact, greatly reducing the chance of a broken bone.

www.loamlab.bike

 

[Zimmerframe]

I see that LoamLab are testing their own Carbon bar. If you click on the comment on YouTube it has impressive test stats....

Well spotted. Looks impressive ... WANT WANT WANT !

If you close your eyes it's a bit like the sound track from one of @BAMBAMODA's home movies .... except a lot longer ...

 

[The Hodge]

Bought a saddle on ebay ( highest bidder ) ..an SDG Bel Air ..£30.00..
Well chuffed ..used but in excellent condition

 

[Pivot]

Just put one on for you. Plan to do some testing riding into trees with standard grips and these, so haven't put them on properly yet.

Uploaded to an album so as not fill the page with pics

Loam Lab Counterpunch grips

www.emtbforums.com

Edit.. the pics here are probably better than my crappy flash efforts ..

LoamLab Components – Counterpunch

The LoamLab Counterpunch makes clipping trees less problematic by protecting the 5th digit and metacarpal from impact, greatly reducing the chance of a broken bone.

www.loamlab.bike

It does look good, but I see it is for your hand protection, not a vertical grip.

Now that I have seen it, I think I need it. Let us know if it works for you. I connect more thorny branches than trees and it might help

 

[Asemnos]

Bought 2 Tannus armour (regulars, with tubes) inserts for my new Cube.
Had the same installed in my Kellys and no punctures for about 2.000 km.
So it was a MUST buy.

 

[Gary]

Stubby micro bar ends are nothing new in mtb but i've never seen the things intentionally marketted primarily as a safety feature before.
The design is next to useless in that regard for someone like me who rides with their palm overhanging the end cap on their grips...

LOAMLAB: I know... Why don't we use a similar rider in our marketting pics?

Ps. These dumbfucks have also added two new sharp contact point protrusions to potentially injure a crash happy rider.

PPs. Even if the grip rubber is super soft/sticky, A file patern grip surface with smooth sections inbetween has nowhere for sweat/moisture to wick away from your gloveless hands so you probably are going to need those safety impalers just to keep your hands on on long rough descents in the wet or heat of summer.

PPPs. Zimmer's going to be running CARBON BARS???

 

[Zimmerframe]

PPPs. Zimmer's going to be running CARBON BARS???

Yup .. that may not be my wisest idea ....

 

[Gary]

I wouldn't worry... They'll be fine til they break

 

[VWsurfbum]

Stubby micro bar ends are nothing new in mtb but i've never seen the things intentionally marketted primarily as a safety feature before.
The design is next to useless in that regard for someone like me who rides with their palm overhanging the end cap on their grips...

LOAMLAB: I know... Why don't we use a similar rider in our marketting pics?

Ps. These dumbfucks have also added two new sharp contact point protrusions to potentially injure a crash happy rider.

PPs. Even if the grip rubber is super soft/sticky, A file patern grip surface with smooth sections inbetween has nowhere for sweat/moisture to wick away from your gloveless hands so you probably are going to need those safety impalers just to keep your hands on on long rough descents in the wet or heat of summer.

PPPs. Zimmer's going to be running CARBON BARS???

I'm worried that I agree with @Gary on this.
Why would I want a branch catcher on the end of my bars? I can count all 10 of my fingers that I haven't lost due to hitting trees??

 

[Zimmerframe]

I'm worried that I agree with @Gary on this.

Now that is worrying !!

I guess like all these things, not every solution to a problem will work with everyone and what's seen as a problem for one of us won't be seen as a problem for someone else. Or sometimes we buy things which might just not seem right .. like carbon bars, but that's @apac's fault as they way he typed about them in his Welsh accent just made them sound cool .......

Re the grips side, for me, I mainly ride gloved unless I don't plan to fall off .. (??)

Have two pairs of these to try as the Kenevo grips are worn out (one set with the end protector, one without). For grip size, I've grown to like the thick raceface ones on the Focus, preferring these over the thinner Kenevo ones. So it will be interesting to see how I fare as these are thinner still. Weirdly if I do grip comparisons, these don't feel smaller - even though they are ?!

A quick dry grip test of the raceface to these and these feel slightly gripper in all directions. A quick wet test and the raceface were grippier (bare handed and gloved) - though this might be because these are new and the water it sitting on the fresh outer rubber ?

For the sticky out bit.. Yes, I guess you could hit yourself on them in a crash, but they're at the end of a mobile section of bike, so if the bar end hit you in that direction, it should in theory be able to rotate away from you. In theory ...

I quite like the idea of a tree deflector, hence why I have these. I had a recent nasty off where I clipped a tree and the bars didn't deflect, instant 90 degree handlebar turn and high speed superman out the front door. I'm hoping that as they're not long, they don't act as branch catchers/harvesters. A lot of the trails I ride are heavily overgrown, so if they do catch, I'll be eating worms more rather than less frequently.

 

[Zimmerframe]

I can feel that stabbing my chest

That's love Bam - LOVE !

Ok, in the interest of science I've done a comparison test for you ... Knife vs bar end ..

Knife :

Bar end - had to use the other hand for obvious reasons ..

 

[Gary]

the thick raceface ones

Which particular raceface grips do you mean?

 

[SwissMountainLeader]

That's love Bam - LOVE !

Ok, in the interest of science I've done a comparison test for you ... Knife vs bar end ..

Knife :



Bar end - had to use the other hand for obvious reasons ..

There was Cedric Garcia who famously severed a femoral artery hitting the front of his bike on Réunion. A much used teaching video on first aid course

 

[Zimmerframe]

Which particular raceface grips do you mean?

Like I said, the ones for thick people ......

OK, I believe they're the Gretta's in 30mm..

Or they might be the 33 as they don't bow in at the clamp ... but they measure at 30.

 

[Gary]

Haven't seen those before but they look like a revamped/derivative design of their old Half Nelson grips

Half Nelson Grip

Dropping in off the top rope, Half Nelson grips give you that so-hard-to-achieve feel you get from favorite grips right before they are completely worn out. The Half Nelsons have a super-tacky, thin, lightweight feel right out of the box.

www.raceface.com

Half Nelson's were a nice narrow 29mm with a really nice almost velvetty feel to the rubber without gloves. In dry mild conditions they work well but add sweat from a hot day or rain and they become absolutely lethal to descend rough rocky tracks with.
The channels in the new design do look like they might wick sweat a tiny bit better. but still won't actually do it well.

 

[Tubby G]

Haven't seen those before but they look like a revamped/derivative design of their old Half Nelson grips

Half Nelson Grip

Dropping in off the top rope, Half Nelson grips give you that so-hard-to-achieve feel you get from favorite grips right before they are completely worn out. The Half Nelsons have a super-tacky, thin, lightweight feel right out of the box.

www.raceface.com

Half Nelson's were a nice narrow 29mm with a really nice almost velvetty feel to the rubber without gloves. In dry mild conditions they work well but add sweat from a hot day or rain and they become absolutely lethal to descend rough rocky tracks with.
The channels in the new design do look like they might wick sweat a tiny bit better. but still won't actually do it well.

Some grip advice required which I’m sure you’ll have some experience on and an answer for!

Since breaking bones in my left hand / wrist, after riding for around an hour my fingers literally lock themselves onto my grip, and I have to peel my fingers away and straighten them, which is quite painful, and then once they’re straight I can give them a wiggle and all is fine for the next few minutes until they lock on again. It’s getting worse, not better over time

I’ve changed my suspension to be more forgiving on rough terrain as I usually ride quite firm, which has helped, but I’m sure the right grips might help too. I’m currently using basic deathgrips. The Revolution Suspension grips just seem massively overpriced and the only others that appear to be designed to help alleviate wrist pain are the Ergon GA3’s

My right undamaged hand is absolutely fine

Any ideas ?

 

[Gary]

Since breaking bones in my left hand / wrist, after riding for around an hour my fingers literally lock themselves onto my grip, and I have to peel my fingers away and straighten them, which is quite painful, and then once they’re straight I can give them a wiggle and all is fine for the next few minutes until they lock on again. It’s getting worse, not better over time

Do you mean from cramp? Or can you explain what is happening so I'll understand it better?
When you ride are you on the brakes a lot and is your hand grip tight? Do you have more wrist pain in that hand too?

I’ve changed my suspension to be more forgiving on rough terrain as I usually ride quite firm, which has helped, but I’m sure the right grips might help too. I’m currently using basic deathgrips. The Revolution Suspension grips just seem massively overpriced and the only others that appear to be designed to help alleviate wrist pain are the Ergon GA3’s

Hmm... Rev grips are pretty terrible for control. So I'd only ever recommend them to riders who pretty much ride old skool XC/Treking rather than what modern mtb has become.
Personally I don't like Deathgrips, The grip patern design just doesn't make sense and they're a bit too thick for my taste

Bar/stem and controls positioning and set-up can alleviate quite a lot of discomfort, especially setting up your brakes. As can tyre pressure and suspension set-up

Oh... and how long ago was your injury?

 

[Tubby G]

Do you mean from cramp? Or can you explain what is happening so I'll understand it better?
When you ride are you on the brakes a lot and is your hand grip tight? Do you have more wrist pain in that hand too?

Hmm... Rev grips are pretty terrible for control. So I'd only ever recommend them to riders who pretty much ride old skool XC/Treking rather than what modern mtb has become.
Personally I don't like Deathgrips, The grip patern design just doesn't make sense and they're a bit too thick for my taste

Bar/stem and controls positioning and set-up can alleviate quite a lot of discomfort, especially setting up your brakes. As can tyre pressure and suspension set-up

Oh... and how long ago was your injury?

Injury was end of June. Wore a cast until mid August. Back on the saddle mid August +1

It’s not cramp, it’s weird, kind of like arthritis, my fingers literally seize in a grip position. Pretend your holding a grip now with your left hand. That’s the position my fingers seize up into. I have to slide my hand off the grip and then I can’t move my fingers at all, I have to straighten them using my right hand, and during that process there is quite intense pain. As soon as the fingers are straight again though the pain goes. I get back on the saddle and within a few minutes of riding my fingers are seized up again. I can ride with them seized up for so long but then I have to stop and repeat the process of straightening them to alleviate the pain

I’ve dropped a few psi in the tyres to help, and cockpit set up is absolutely fine. Brake levers don’t cause any pain. Dropper lever was impossible due to no strength in my thumb but I’ve changed that to the PNW and now its smooth as butter. I’m generally quite light on the grip but hold tighter over the rough stuff

 

[fletch]

Big spendy week for me, started with a pair of deathgrips, followed by a set of hope v4s ( i like the bling factor and they are made in Britain) and then after a particularly wet ride i bit the bullet and bought a pair of those 5/10 goretex boots . Thats my bike budget blown for the next month or so.

 

[Gary]

Injury was end of June. Wore a cast until mid August. Back on the saddle mid August +1

Ah... in that case I have some difficult news for you...
I broke and dislocated pretty much every bone in my left foot in 2002 and after surgery/metalwork spent the rest of the year in a non weight bearing cast (7months or so). the next year when my final cast was removed I returned to riding (Straight back to racing actually) But I had to wear a foot/ankle brace and use painkillers. After maybe 8 years of physio I could finally ride without the brace. 20 years on I'm not pain free but I don't need to wear a brace and rarely need to use painkillers for the injury. It still gives me the arthritic pain you describe in your hand/wrist. Ironically now riding dsoesn't cause too much of an issue at all it's walking that causes me the most damage/pain. Especially walking uphill.

It’s not cramp, it’s weird, kind of like arthritis, my fingers literally seize in a grip position. Pretend your holding a grip now with your left hand. That’s the position my fingers seize up into. I have to slide my hand off the grip and then I can’t move my fingers at all, I have to straighten them using my right hand, and during that process there is quite intense pain. As soon as the fingers are straight again though the pain goes. I get back on the saddle and within a few minutes of riding my fingers are seized up again. I can ride with them seized up for so long but then I have to stop and repeat the process of straightening them to alleviate the pain

You need to see a physio. (and possibly other specialist doctors) and take baby steps with your riding.
Have you tried riding with ibuprofen gel applied to your hand? (an old anti-armpump trick from my DHing days) might be worth a try, but beware of it masking the signs where you really should be stopping riding and resting your hand)

 

[Tubby G]

Ah... in that case I have some difficult news for you...
I broke and dislocated pretty much every bone in my left foot in 2002 and after surgery/metalwork spent the rest of the year in a non weight bearing cast (7months or so). the next year when my final cast was removed I returned to riding (Straight back to racing actually) But I had to wear a foot/ankle brace and use painkillers. After maybe 8 years of physio I could finally ride without the brace. 20 years on I'm not pain free but I don't need to wear a brace and rarely need to use painkillers for the injury. It still gives me the arthritic pain you describe in your hand/wrist. Ironically now riding dsoesn't cause too much of an issue at all it's walking that causes me the most damage/pain. Especially walking uphill.

You need to see a physio. (and possibly other specialist doctors) and take baby steps with your riding.
Have you tried riding with ibuprofen gel applied to your hand? (an old anti-armpump trick from my DHing days) might be worth a try, but beware of it masking the signs where you really should be stopping riding and resting your hand)

Funnily enough I have a family member who’s a physio and I had the same discussion with her earlier, she recommended I take it easy too and listen to my ‘pain’. Spoke to the doctor about it last week too and he just shrugged and said ‘don’t ride your bike if it causes pain’

Ibuprofen gel’s a good idea, I’ll try that, as well as taking it slightly easier for now. Cheers for your input

 

[steve_sordy]

Ibuprofen gel may work for a while as it is quite weak. For me, it either just wasn't strong enough or it didn't last long enough. I was putting it on quite thickly and it still wasn't doing the business.

As an alternative to Ibuprofen gel, try Volterol gel instead. Go for the one for joints not back and muscles as it is twice as strong.

Whichever you use, apply 20-30 mins before riding to give it time to soak in and dry, otherwise your gloves will soak it up instead.

 

[VWsurfbum]

These really do work well, I've been using them for years to take away hand and arm pain.
TMR Designs - The Home of Imprint Grips