Just got back from doing W2 at afan. Fantastic day, but for the last 6 miles or so I was really suffering with cramps in the little finger and ring finger of my left hand. It was so bad by the end of zigzags that I had to straighten “the claw” with my other hand.

Am I doing something wrong? Are there any exercises or kit upgrades that will help? Or should I just mtfu?

In case it’s important, I’ve got ritchey low riser carbon bars and ritchey foam grips on a HT. Brakes are set inboard of shifters to allow 1 finger braking.

thicker grips.

someone will be along shortly to say exactly the opposite, but it worked for me, and your symptoms sounds exactly the same as mine.

(ring and little finger painfully locked in ‘the claw’)

i now use sunline thick grips.

Dehydration?

Seriously, if your getting cramp in yer hands it’s a sign of dehydration.

we don’t have muscles in our fingers, so it can’t be cramp.

Vulcan death grip on the bars?

I use Ergon grips running the top part almost flat (parallel to the ground) and they give great support. They’re pricey though and I’d assume the cheaper ergo type grips do much the same job.

What you gain in comfort and support, you might lose in control though since your pinky and ring finger sit more “on” rather than round the grip.. Some people don’t get on with them, some people do!

Jim

I get this.. I think the problem is holding onto the bars too tight.

i used to, now i don’t.

have you tried thicker grips?

Used to suffer those symptoms for a day or two after hot and sweaty rides, a post ride bottle of Go electrolyte helped sort it. Laying off the death-grip on the bars and brakes may also help:)