Why Do My Hands Hurt While Mountain Biking?

Mountain biking is an incredibly popular and thrilling sport, however it can also come with a few aches and pains. One of the most common complaints is that your hands hurt while mountain biking.

This is often due to the impact of the terrain on your hands and wrists, as well as the constant gripping of the handlebars. Here are some of the most common causes of hand pain in mountain bikers:

Incorrect Bike Setup: The first thing to check when you experience hand pain while mountain biking is your bike setup. If your handlebars are too low or too high, this can cause extra strain on your wrists and hands. Make sure that you adjust them to a comfortable height for your body type.

Too Much Vibration: Another reason why you might be experiencing hand pain while mountain biking could be due to excessive vibration coming from the terrain. This can cause numbness or tingling in your hands, which can be uncomfortable and even dangerous if left unchecked. Investing in a suspension fork may help reduce some of this vibration.

Gripping Too Hard: Mountain bikers often have a tendency to grip their handlebars too hard, especially when going over rough terrain. This can put extra strain on your wrists and cause soreness in your hands over time. To alleviate this problem, try to relax your grip when possible, and focus on using your arms instead for greater stability.

Inadequate Glove Support: Wearing gloves while mountain biking is important for protecting your hands from abrasions and blisters. However, not all gloves are created equal – some may provide inadequate support for long rides, leading to hand fatigue or soreness.

Conclusion: Hand pain while mountain biking can be caused by a variety of factors, including incorrect bike setup, excessive vibration from the terrain, gripping too hard on the handlebars, or inadequate glove support. It’s important to address any underlying issues quickly in order to prevent further discomfort or injury.

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Chris Powell