You must neutralize stomach acid first, for better bio-availability. Even better is a small enema of 5g Creatine, 5g glucose, in 15cc of water. Gets to your blood in 5 minutes or less. (These are maintenance dosages. Loading dosages, just do it 3 times daily, till you get diahrhea. At that point, your muscles are saturated, and you lower the dose to maintenance levels. Do a reload every 3 months, to assure your muscles are saturated). You should "feel" the pump after 2 days of loading, maybe sooner. Halve the dosages, if you are a woman lifter.
Try these wraps - APT. They are the best I have ever used. http://www.prowriststraps.com/wrist_straps_lifting_strap_hand_power_lifting_weight
I have these with the optional padding. Not sure of the length (since mine are about 7 years old), but with these guys, you have options. http://www.prowriststraps.com/inc/sdetail/12127
I have a love/hate relationship with creatine. On the one hand, I love the pump and fullness it gives me. On the other hand, that fullness also appears in my face as well, so I have a bloated out look when I look at myself in the mirror, which I totally hate.
In regards to the crossfit part of this thread, this past week was my first full week of doing crossfit-style workouts and I must admit that I've loved the change of pace versus the standard weight training regimen that I've been on. I like the fact that I feel more winded doing burpees, box jumps, handstands, etc. than I normally would otherwise. I've been seriously considering getting one of those Rogue rack set-ups and incorporating some gymnastic rings into it just for a change of pace. Hey, I wouldn't mind looking like a gymnast. Those guys are muscular, ripped, and functional all at the same time.
Renal clearance always concerns me. Much like going ridiculous on supplemental protein. I get 150g or so, but that is pushing it. I feel more comfortable running high dose BCAA than creatine. If you guys want ridiculous pumps and vascularity... Run 1,200 mg of ALA pre-WO with some starch. Try it.