Concept2 Forum

I am new to rowing having recently purchased a used Model "C" from a rowing club. <br><br>After a few days of use I decided to upgrade to the Model "D" handle. I like the hand position better and the wider grip better on the “D” handle but the rubber on the new handle seems to be harder. I am considering wrapping the handle with some softer material possibly tape used on the handle bars from a cross country bike. Has anyone tried wrapping the handle with something? <br><br>Bruce

I also have a C with a D handle. At first, I got awful blisters from it. So for a while, I rowed with wide terry cloth wrist bands around my base knuckles. They shift around a bit, so on a long row you might have to adjust them, but they gave just the amount of cushioning I needed. Just recently I've started rowing with bare hands and the handle as is, and it feels fine. <br><br>Carla

I prefer using nylon socks, wrapped from the outside in, the same as bicycle handlebar tape.<br><br>These give me a great grip, which is just as good or better when wet.<br><br>Also, they don't absorb perspiration or cause blisters like cotton.

I went to a bike shop and got a pair of Trek full coverage biking gloves. They really helped increase my holding power. Eventually though I put my old "C" handle back on due to increased tennis elbow with the "D" . After the change the tennis elbow went away.<br><br>Paul S

<!--QuoteBegin-Paul S+Sep 22 2004, 07:26 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'><span class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></span> (Paul S @ Sep 22 2004, 07:26 PM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I went to a bike shop and got a pair of Trek full coverage biking gloves. They really helped increase my holding power. Eventually though I put my old "C" handle back on due to increased tennis elbow with the "D" . After the change the tennis elbow went away.<br><br>Paul S <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><br> Ah, won't this be fun, almost like talking to myslef, but not....<br><br>When you changed from the C to the D handle, it's likely that you placed your hand on the D handle just like you did on the C handle. with the knuckles angled a bit across the handle (more relaxed at the index finger than the little finger).<br><br>We do this on the C handle to put the wrist in line with the forearm and reduce the stress on it. A "squared up" grip on the D handle will produce the same reduction of stress, however if you keep the C grip, you will be stressing the wrist in the opposite direction which could cause your tendonitis. The habit is hard to break, as any habit is, but you can do it now that you know what to do. (If you want to bother adapting to the D handle)<br><br>Hope that helps,<br>Paul Smith

Thanks to all that reply to my post. I did get some good suggestions on how to improve feel of the "D" style handle. <br><br>Regards, <br><br>Bruce Darby<br>

Hello. I've been rowing for the first time since mid-AUG04 (when I rec'd my C2D). In that time, I began to develop blisters on my hands (7 on left hand; 4 on right). To cope with the pain of rowing, I purchased a pair of sports gloves ($9)from eBay that were probably made for weightlifting. They have leather slightly padded palms, half finger coverage, spandex on the upper hand, and they have made all the difference in the world.<br><br>Just wanted to give you hope.<br><br>tlc<br><br><br>