Just a quick update. I rode etown yesterday. My arm pump drastically improved when I focused on gripping the frame spars with my ankle. It worked so well I decided to get a pair of acerbis x grip frame guards. Gripping at the ankle helped confidence, leaning forward, and getting into a flow.
Just watched a Ryan Hughes clip (the MX legend) that addressed exactly this problem. According to him arm pump is usually a function of wrong posture and hip immobility (locked in the back position). This means that your arms are always under tension trying to hold you on the bike. Rotate that hip forward and grip the bike with your legs (in acceleration/deceleration) instead of trying to hold to it with your arms. Then unhinge your hips in turns and let the bike move underneath you. No arm pump. BTW, I use grip puppies on my 500EXC and they substantially thicken the grips (they are placed on top of regular grips) and have no arm pump.
Thanks for sharing! I have now shaved off my half waffle so it’s feels like no waffle, already feels better, I also had the fox gloves and will toss them, didn’t realise I had Leah gloves that have less to no padding inside, already feels great can’t wait to test this. Have also tilted bars to me a little as they were too far forwards.. I got a feeling next outing will be so much more comfort 👍🙌
size of grips definitely will cause arm pump. Another way to stop arm pump, try rolling the bars back toward you some and watch what happens to arm pump. It keeps you from holding yourself forward with your arms. you may think your not using your arms but if you are getting bad arm pump really quick chances are even if you don't realize it you are using your arms too much and not you abdominal muscles and legs to stay foward
I'm definitely fighting that issue right now. I used to have no arm pump but noticed videos of me riding with bad form. I changed my bars and bar mounts to a be higher and more forward, it fixed my form, I ride faster, but now I get killer arm pump about half way through the day.
@@HoneyBadgerRy I think you just found the reason for your arm pump you said you moved your bars farther forward and now arm pump. everyone is different and some can have their bars way forward but me I have found low bars in a neutral position keeps my elbows bent and no arm pump. one day do a test, ride a very short loop like a mile and get the fill for the bike. next you want to try the bars in extreme forward and extreme back positions. try extreme forwards and immediately afterwards write down exactly what you felt good and bad then go back to normal position for a lap then extreme down position and write down what you fill. be careful when you have them way forwards and back just ride at a comfortable speed. you will learn a lot form testing the extremes. suspension is another one you can learn a lot from testing extreme settings. you will find the rebound on the shock will make the shock harder than the compressions will. open the compression all the way and close the rebound and it will be hard as a brick.
I have the same problem and i since i need to replace my grips i was also wondering if this was the problem. I had those full diamond grips on my road bike before and they are pretty good. I will definitely buy them for my dirtbike. Thanks a lot man, appreciate it!
Glad you found a solution that works for you! Growing up and racing in the 90’s I rode with full diamond grips because that’s what McGrath did but I still got arm pump and it only got worse for me. I get it whenever I’m pushing hard so racing is difficult I get it in a lap or two. I’ve moved to full waffle just to try relax my grip and I’ve tried everything but maybe I need to go back to smaller diameter grips? I recently read that forward head posture can affect the nerves and blood flow in your forearm so the next time I ride I’m going to try keeping my head back which should keep me from using the handlebars as a crutch and puts more of my weight into the foot pegs.
Yes. One of the biggest things i try is to have the bike push me instead of pull me. Anytime you are not leaned forward I feel like I’m being pulled and basically holding on tight like I’m hanging on a pull up bar haha
@@motoblast3574 yes,I try to lean forward, relax, breathe, don’t get pulled, grip with knees and think happy thoughts lol, but nothing seems to work at race pace. I appreciate the tip and posting the video, I will provide an update if I figure it out. I think I’m just weighting the handlebar too much
Good video and just curious did you ever setup your suspension for your weight/riding abilities? Just curious and I know this does make a difference. I have worked on these Showa 49mm forks and they are built for just about anything that you can throw at them.
Truth is, small diameter grips, correct posture, and RELAX, helps tremendously with arm pump. Another important tip; warm up properly first. Good luck!
This goes against popular consensus but I do believe the bigger and stronger your forearms are the less arm pump you get if you deliberately focus on not squeezing the bars too hard. My theory is if you have a weak grip and you squeeze the bars with 50% of your available power you will get arm pump but if you have real grip strength (and yes big arms)you can hold the bars with the same amount of force while only using 10% to 20% of your available grip strength and greatly reducing arm pump. This method will require time ( I mean years to get strong) and it may get worse before it gets better. And it will also require a deliberate focus to not squeeze the bars as hard as you can.
You don't need to squeeze the bars or pull them. Good hip posture and leg squeezing is the technique. Your arms shouldn't hold you onto the bike, a good posture and your legs should.
