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Guys,
I'm a huge advocate of ODI's lock-on grips for their simplicity --- love not having to glue + easily swap-out after a crash.
For reference, I am running the No Waffle (all diamond) V2 grips in black.
This ^^^ said, it seems I am getting seriously numb hands as a result of the thinner grip material to accommodate the plastic pipe. But ... I am getting this on the throttle side which should be the same as a stock grip setup.
*** Question: Are others getting numb hands from ODI grips as well? For me, it's my thumb, index, and middle finger on each hand. Do you have any tricks to alleviate the numbness besides just switching grips? If you've switch grips, what grips did you end up with? ****
I'm a huge advocate of ODI's lock-on grips for their simplicity --- love not having to glue + easily swap-out after a crash.
For reference, I am running the No Waffle (all diamond) V2 grips in black.
This ^^^ said, it seems I am getting seriously numb hands as a result of the thinner grip material to accommodate the plastic pipe. But ... I am getting this on the throttle side which should be the same as a stock grip setup.
*** Question: Are others getting numb hands from ODI grips as well? For me, it's my thumb, index, and middle finger on each hand. Do you have any tricks to alleviate the numbness besides just switching grips? If you've switch grips, what grips did you end up with? ****
Hand numbness is a pinched nerve problem. Depending on what fingers go numb first would tell you how you need to adjust. Some of it can be bar angles vs. your hand angle and even lever height moving the pressure points to different places. It could even be one of the ribs on the waffle pattern pushing on the wrong spot. On my mountain bike my left hand will start to go numb after an hour or so. On a crotch rocket my right hand starts to after about 30 minutes. Different bar angles on each.
I erroneously said "Full Waffle" in the original post ---> updated to NO Waffle / full diamond, which is what I run.
1. What bar mounts are you using?
2. Switch to glue on grips. No pro runs lock ons for a reason.
3. You currently have installed the single worst handlebar grip on earth for vibration mitigation, which causes the tingling and numbness.
I experienced this by simply switching to a crossbar handlebar. I could unbolt it and ride 20’s. Leave it in and go numb in 10. Try some ODI normals. I love their soft full waffle. The white “pro compound” is like a gummy grip and I find that it is so soft it actually twists in your hand without moving on the bars. They’re like warm gummy bears. Be happy to send you My set if you just hate yourself lol😂😂
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“Numbness occurs as a result of excessive pressure or stress on nerves. Biking affects the median and the ulnar nerves (if you have heard of carpal tunnel syndrome, then you have heard of median nerve problems).
The median nerve and several tendons go through a “tunnel” across the underside of the wrist. Keeping your hands bent up and pressed against the handle bars for extended periods puts excess pressure on this area, leading to numbness, tingling and weakness in the thumb, pointer finger, middle finger and half of the ring finger.
The ulnar nerve runs through the pinky side of the wrist and hand. Gripping the handlebars places direct pressure on this area, causing numbness and tingling in the pinky and ring finger.
Symptoms may resolve shortly after relieving the pressure on the nerves, or they may persist and worsen, potentially leading to muscle weakness in the hand.“
https://www.cvmc.org/blog/rehabilitation-therapy/hand-numbness-while-bi…
https://www.odigrips.com/products/rogue-v2-lock-on-grips-2694
Can’t say I’ve had any issues with the Odi or Emig lock on grips. Have used the stock Husqvarna, Emig V2 in standard and soft and Odi in standard and soft.
I have trouble with losing my grip sometimes if I run a grip with no waffle pattern but everyone is different. Having the waffle underneath, at least, helps my fingers stay gripped without slipping up/around the grip. No numbness though
For sure it's a pressure thing and it cropped up after my switch to ODI Lock-Ons.
I previously sported glue-on Renthal Full Diamonds for the past 15 years. Generally no problems.
I'll try switching back to my Renthals and see what happens. I've also purchase some gray Rogue's to try (but I like the smallest diameter grips I can get) + some white No Waffle Lock-Ons.
Lastly, bar mount / bar / setup-wise, I am running:
(1) XTrig ROCS Tech triple clamps
(2) MAKO 360 bar mounts
(3) Twisted Engineering 4X bars
In a million years I wouldn't think THIS ^^^ setup would result in hand numbness ... no matter what. But it is.
In the coming months I'll post my results as I get more ride time on various setups.
That said, I tried ODI lock ons for awhile before abandoning them for traditional rubber grips. The problem with lock ons is that the inner sleeve needs to be rigid for the grip to work. To keep the overall grip diameter the same as classic rubber grips the rubber on lock-ons is thinner so the cushioning is worse. Lock ons just beat your hands up.
Now I use full rubber grips and like them. My process is to use no glue so the bar stays clean, spray a squirt of contact cleaner in the grip (or on the bar) and then slide on. Immediately put three double wrapped bands of safety wire on and tighten down. They don’t spin and I think the safety wire makes them look trick. When it’s time to replace just snip the safety wire and slice off with a pocket knife. No glue to pick off and the bar under the grip is pretty clean. Takes maybe 5 minutes to do both grips.
I use thin gloves, too, so I might need to dig out some older gloves to see if that helps.
I, too, switched to ODI Lock-Ons for the simplicity. And in my typical form, I bought like 7 sets of new grips because "I had solved that problem!" I though after a few rides. So, you may see a lot of ODI Lock-On grips for sale if it turns out to be the grip in the end.
*** For those of you thinking "how on Earth if you're running MAKO 360 bar mounts AND Twisted Engineering 4X bars could you get hand numbness?! It seems to simply come down to the reduced grip material as @Rawly stated. It's just enough of a reduction in hand cushion for me/my weight (that I put on my hands) that it pinches my nerves evidently. ***
Reminding myself to loosen my grip over big jumps has been the single most beneficial thing to my riding. No arm pump, hands dont go numb nearly as fast. I also take 1-2 ibuprofen before my motos occasionally. The inflammation in my arms would put pressure on my nerves in my elbow (funny bone) and make my finger tips go numb.
Pit Row
Twisted Engineering Henry/Reed bend, stock Yamaha bend, and Pro Taper ACF SX Race Team bend.
And I switched all bars to the same grips recently.
I get numbness on all bikes now. 98% certain it's the grips ... but I am a slow man ...
Just saw last post, glad you figured it out.
Just saw last post, glad you figured it out.
I always run my bars rolled forward because it helps me keep my elbows high and feels a little better overall. I took out my 2 stroke that I'm really comfortable on as well (less thought allocation to "not dying" and more to "optimizing").
What I felt on the track was really interesting: a specific pain pattern in my hand that was giving me "hand pump" and arm pump badly. Anyways, I slowly adjusted my bars back more neutral and the problems went away proportional to how much adjustment I made. I ended up finding my comfort zone and went from 15 minute motos to around 30 comfortable, mistake free minute motos at the end.
I say it like this because a few years ago I went to chiropractor because some friends thought I had a pinched nerve. My hand would go numb about a lap into a race and it was survival mode for the rest of the race. My hand would go numb not even a mile in on a road bike ride, or a few minutes into a mountain bike ride. Snowmobiling was hell also. Anyways, I went in and the chiropractor asked me specifically which fingers went numb. I told her I thought it was all of them, but I was going riding the next day and would pay closer attention. She talked about the ulnar nerve and median nerve, and the possibility of carpal tunnel. Well, I went riding the next day, paid attention to which fingers went numb (thumb, index, middle, and half of my ring finger). Signs or carpal tunnel. This was late fall and I forgot about it most of the winter. The next spring, I rode, hand went numb but I didn’t want to get officially checked for carpal tunnel and get it taken care of because I wanted to ride. Fast forward through the summer to Nov 2021. Went to the Dr, got checked and was diagnosed with moderate carpal tunnel and had the procedure done a few weeks later.
2022, I haven’t had a single problem with my hand going numb at all. I don’t get arm pump, so I’m able to ride 100% for the duration of a moto. Actually, that 100% is a lie. I’m now able to ride harder than I have in 15 years, so I do get a little tired and sloppy after a few laps, so I back my fat ass down to about 85% on the last lap more often than I’d like.
My numbness is in my thumb, index + middle finger, plus some ring finger ---> Just like you.
I definitely have carpal tunnel. I was diagnosed many years ago (while working construction/bricklaying in college), but through various bike setup adjustments + riding more, I've been able to keep numbness at bay generally. Until the ODIs.
What surgery did you have and what was the recovery like (time, restrictions, etc.)?
Surgery may be your best option, but you can’t undo it. You’ll end up in OT/PT with surgery anyway, so schedule a couple sessions with a good PT beforehand. May save you money and down time in the long run.
Post a reply to: ODI Lock-on Grips ---> Are you getting numb hands?