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245
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7/22/2020
Location
GB
Edited Date/Time
1/12/2022 2:29pm
I have always struggled with really bad armpump & occasionally sore hands whilst riding hard pack. I just thought it was something i had to live with. A few of you guys on here recommended the Neken SFS Top Clamp. Im not sure who you all are but thank you so much for the recommendation. I now couldnt do without it. Just wish it was available 15 years ago when i was in my prime! 🤦🏻♂️
The guys at gatedrop were kind enough to post my review
https://gatedrop.com/tested-neken-sfs-arm-pump-solution/#.X34DUiR4XDs
Heres also Michael Lyndsay’s review here on vital
https://m.vitalmx.com/product/guide/Triple-Clamps,13/Neken/SFS-Triple,1…
Ps, are you still Running this Michael?
The guys at gatedrop were kind enough to post my review
https://gatedrop.com/tested-neken-sfs-arm-pump-solution/#.X34DUiR4XDs
Heres also Michael Lyndsay’s review here on vital
https://m.vitalmx.com/product/guide/Triple-Clamps,13/Neken/SFS-Triple,1…
Ps, are you still Running this Michael?
No need to use flexbars, neken fsf clamps or that stuff.
You may last half lap longer but that's not going to make you survive 30+2 motos.
Change my mind
For me, this solved my problem. & if it helps someone else out then im happy. If your perfect style lets you ride armpump free & saves you buying this kinda stuff then im happy for you 😁
The Shop
From my perspective arm pump its 95% related to bad riding technique...............arms must be relax, lower body must do much of the work to control the bike.
I also suffer from arm pump, especially in a new track or difficult terrain, if I´m not in my comfort zone I start to lose good technique and from there arm pump comes in a hurry.
Also ruts and mud make me get tight quite fast, but If a remember to stay relax and use good technique I can go for a long time without arm pump.
It is important that when you roll the throttle your chest go forward and use your legs to control the bike (easy to say but hard to do), if you accelerate and start to stretch your arm you are not going to last much without arm pump.
Also stay in good physical shape helps and practice time in your bike (riding time) its key.
My advice, lower your speed, use good technique, try to ride longer motos at easy pace and good form (forget about speed) and if you are feeling better about arm pump you can increase intensity/speed a little bit until you can go at good pace during the time that you want.
My two cents.
I do think having the correct ergos makes a difference, though. It's less about adding flex and absorption and more about making it easier to relax and grip with the correct parts of your body. There's no universal setup for that, just what works for you.
Also, as others have mentioned, exercise and diet are critical. Cardio will help with oxygen, blood flow, and heart rate. Strength training (lots of legs!) will keep you from getting tired and resorting to poor technique to hang on.
Finally, there's the mental aspect of it. It's sort of the same mentality behind the phrase, "mind to muscle," that you hear in the gym. If you're focused on your legs, you'll use those muscles more. If you start thinking about your arms getting tired and sore, you'll end up using them more. Similarly, if you start letting nerves get in your head or you start thinking about the bike or bars being harsh or vibrating, you usually end up gripping tighter. It's good to learn to turn your focus away from those things to prevent locking up when you ride, and I've personally experienced times where I've hit a wall with arm pump or a cramped hand and mentally blocked it out and gotten it under control. You can train the mental side of things with any challenging/strenuous activity too, which is nice if you can only ride every now and then.
Example: Mike Mcdade. Dude is scrawny. Can jump on any bike new/clapped/set up or not set up and just rip.
Let a guy like Mcdade ride your bike for three Laps. When it comes back to the stand the graphics are shredded. Legs and core. Legs and core is where your money is made.
Easier said run done. Once I get tired I go into shit grip mode and try to survive with all upper body it seems. I’d those neken clamps work maybe i should get some.
1: Better fitness
2: Tighter steering (sounds counter intuitive, but keep reading)
3: Squeezing with the legs and relax your grip on the bars
4: Good suspension setup
2 allows for 3. If you put your bike on the stand with both wheels off the ground a little, rock the bike back so the rear tire touches the ground, and the front end flops to one side, your steering stem nut is too loose. Tighten up the steering stem nut so that the front end doesn't flop to the side to the stops, even when you gently tap on the bars.
If your steering is too lose, you'll be fighting to keep the front end straight and in control, and this means your grip on the bars will be way too high and armpump will occur. With a tighter steering, you can relax your grip on the bars just enough to slow the onset of pumped up forearms. Have you ever heard riding coaches describe the feeling as "grabbing a doorknob"? It sounds silly at first, but once you have your setup dialed, your grip on the bars actually does feel as soft as turning a doorknob, maybe slightly tighter than that.
Suspension also plays a huge role. Again, if you are fighting to keep the bike in control, you'll be gripping the bars too much and armpump will occur. So get your suspension set up for your weight, skill, and type of riding you are doing.
My armpump disappeared right after surgery of both arms. Doctor doin the surgery said the muscles poured out of the muscle sack as soon as he sliced it open. No chance to fix that with riding style, purely genetics.
If you get armpump 10-25min into a race, it is stamina and riding style that is the issue. If you get it after 2-3 corners, it is not.
Triathlon, runners, cycling and rowers it is common to so surgery on thigh or lower legs.
There is a reason certain people can run 10km at 45min with no training at all you know, or have testing HR of 45 training ones a week while other are at 65. It is called genetics.
I could survive a lap, but issues started already after 2-3 corners needing to clutch and brake at same time it is a bit bumpy. Helped if I ran ultra soft suspension but it was unrideable at the speed I'm at. Surgery changed it all, 2 weeks after and first ride it was all gone. Now it comes lightly at 10-15min which is ok since it is related to riding technique, stamina and hours on the bike and can easily be corrected. Got 2 other I know with same results.
Don't get into things you have no clue about you think zacco and 10 other pro on AMA/MX GO level do surgery because poor riding technique? Ridiculous.
Hack and slash, doctors relieved my muscles from the fascia that was too tight, worked wonders
Pit Row
*More time on the bike
*Cardio
*Ride with lower body
*Diet
When I first started racing back in the 1970's I would get stomach cramps and "arm pump". We didnt call it arm pump back then, we just called it "your being a weak ass pussy" haha.
But what really helped was drinking a product called ERG. Any of you old fuckers remember that stuff? Its called Vitalyte now I believe. Good stuff.
Also, there is few advice like breathing and thinking about letting your hands relax in the air or at some part of the track.
Anyway, it seems we're all different with this but i'm quite sure 80% of the arm pumps come from bad diet and cardio...try this first and then see what you can change on your bike if you still have this problem
I use Flexx bars on every bicycle or motorcycle I own; they're more of a comfort thing than an arm pump cure. Once I figured out the right elastomers for me they're amazing. I actually rode my brothers bike (with stock KTM bars) back to back with mine, and it was crazy how harsh it felt. The moto Flexx bars do add a little bit of weight, but I've heard through the grapevine that they're developing a lighter moto version...
The only time I get arm pump now is if I take 6 months or so off and jump right back into moto...hanging on too dang tight...
you mean to tell me pizza, and diet mtn dew is NOT a pro racers diet??!?!?!
I figured the pros were all saying monster because of sponsor $$$ but really everyone just substitutes it with the Dew.
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