Reducing compression of the Ulnar nerve- Underbar handlebar gel

  • Robert Gittus
Cyclist’s palsy affects both experienced and inexperienced cyclists but particularly road cyclist’s due to rough terrian and vibration. Through human experience, material structure and manufacturing methods compression reduction on the ulnar nerve was achieved. the desired design effectively spread the pressure caused by constant gripping of handlebars. During development, the number of possible solutions was heavily reduced to ensure that the final product provided not only the best compression reduction but factored in user experience, manufacturability, cost, market and user requirements. Consequently, the product provided a well round solution and ensured that the design considered external factors. The project’s primarily objective was to surpass the competitor’s products’ compression reduction on the ulnar nerve. Whilst this could be easily achieved by increasing the thickness of the material, human experience and handlebar feedback would be affected. The combination of bar tape, underbar gel and gloves helped to reduce the compression on the nerve. Therefore, it was critical that a solution was found which was of similar thickness but had the least effect on the handlebar’s feedback.