Commuting - Agony of the hands

I'm glad I found this forum. I apologize if this question has been asked before, but the search function on the forums appears to be disabled for now.

I commute about 6.5 miles each way, on flat, potholed and bumpy roads. My ride is a generic aluminum mountain bike frame w/ 26 x 2 street tires inflated to about 60 psi. Currently I have the 'riser' handlebars in a fairly aggressive forward position, and the stem seems pretty long (not sure of the exact length). Fork is also aluminum.

As you can guess from the title, after about 2-3 miles, my hands are numb and aching. Worse, I start to get numbness in my shoulders as well. I do wear gloves, and that helps a bit, but not enough. I realize I need to change up the stem and handlebars, and I am soliciting advice on what my best plan of action might be.

First, I am concerned that the geometry of my bike might just be too "off" for me. The frame is a "large" MTB size, which seems to fit as far as legs go (I'm 5'8"). However, I think I'm reaching too far forward for the handlebars. I gather this is a common issue with women vs. men and bike frames.

I'm guessing an adjustable stem or shorter stem might help here. Also I read lots of endorsements for the trekking or moustache bars - do those work on the MTB frames as well? I am taking the bike to the shop I purchased it from at the end of the week, but I wanted to have some info before I go in to talk to them. I admit to not knowing a whole lot about bike stuff, and I always feel a little outclassed b/c I'm riding a cheapo commuter.

I'd love to splurge on a Crosscheck, or something like that, but my bike has to live outside while I'm at work, and I fear theft too much to put more than a few hundred into my ride. So the no-name no-label commuter is fine for now, if only I could not be in pain while riding it!

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated!

A shorter reach stem with some additional rise to put you a little more upright sounds like it might do the trick if the frame is fitted to you properly.
I run into the opposite problem, being 6'6", and I end up hunched over and curving my back weird because most bikes don't have a long enough top tube. I ended up getting a long reach high rise stem to compensate.
When you go back to the LBS, tell them what you're experiencing, and have them check the fit for your ride. Then start looking at the stem/bar combos which can help alleviate the problems.

In part, an aluminum frame is going to be a stiff ride that transfers a lot of the road-feel to your hands. Softer grips or padded tape could help you, too.

+1 to what clifton said. A shorter reach stem and rotating the risers so they're closer to your body may help. Also sliding the saddle back a bit so your legs are carrying more weight may also help. And if the LBS gives you attitude, go find another LBS. Women tend to have shorter torsos so while it may fit your legs, the top tube might be too long so you need to compensate w/ a shorter stem. Good luck!

As for different type handlebars, as long as the stem clamp will accomodate the size of the handlebars, they should fit.

Nitto North Road handlebars extend quite a ways backwards from the stem clamp area. That might help if your problem is reach. These bars combined with a shorter stem could get you more upright. The bars have a couple inches of rise too.

Another approach is to move your seat farther back. With your feet farther in front of you, you can support more of your weight with your feet. More weight on feet means less weight on hands.

A "Large" sized frame also seems a bit big for someone 5'8. When I test rode some Giants last summer I was right around the size for a Medium at 5'10. If you're riding flat bars, it would be worth the money to get some bars with multiple hand positions when you change out the stem, being able to change your grip helps a lot with avoiding hand pain.

Thanks for the replies.

I hadn't thought about the seat - I will definitely give that a try.

I went for the larger frame b/c the mediums I tried felt too squished to me. I hit the front wheel with my foot when turning on a couple of them.

Someday when I get another bike I am definitely going to avoid aluminum in the fork. It is really unforgiving.

6.5 miles is pretty short, you shouldn't be getting into anything painful there. I commute on a drop bar touring bike, and I like the fact that I can move my hands around so much to keep the hands and shoulders from getting sore. In general sore hands is a fit issue, and it means that you are putting too much weight on the hands - try moving the bars up and back to see if that helps.

Moving the seat back will help with comfort, and may help your hands, it will negatively affect your power so if your speed is important to you, this might not be the best solution, especially if those 6.5 miles have some hills in them.

Well, this is Houston, so hills are non-existant unless you count the bridges over the highways!

I'll definitely get the fit checked out by a LBS. I never had this issue with my old (stolen) Schwinn, but that was a comfort bike with a REALLY upright riding position. I may have over-compensated to get a more aggressive ride this time.

Definitely get the fit checked out first. Do your gloves have gel padded palms? If not, it might help to get some. The next step up may be to get a suspended front fork. Nothing too fancy or big, just something to absorb those bumps.

If that doesn't cut it, then you may want to look into getting a recumbent bike. They don't put any pressure on your hands, arms, shoulders or back at all!

I never had this issue with my old (stolen) Schwinn...

Does that mean you stole your last bike or had it stolen from you? If you do get fit for a bike, pay more attention to top tube length than the more traditional crank to seatpost dimension. Sheldon Brown has some good articles on bicycle fitting. Also, for a short commute like yours a shock may be a worthwhile investment. The loss of energy will be more than made up for by added comfort on a very bumpy route. My wrists do take more abuse since recently switching to a road bike for my commute.

Sorry - I meant that the Schwinn was stolen from me. Stupidly, I didn't lock it to anything in the garage. If it was a bum that got it, at least he's safe at night, what with the blinky lights and all. And he's got storage capacity thanks to my pannier and my rear rack.

I do realize that 6.5 miles is a short commute to you folks here. In non-bike friendly Houston, the reaction from most people is horror that I would attempt to ride so far in the heat.

I went through several bars looking for one that kept my hands awake. Ergon Grips (http://www.ergon-bike.com/) helped more than any bar. They transfer your weight to the palm of your hand. Made a huge difference.
REI and MEC carry them as well as many LBS's.

--A

I'm having the same problem with my MTB. It has to do with putting too much weight on your hands and not having enough hand positions. It takes 20 miles, however, to get my hands numb and painfull. The things I've done so far to help:

- good gel gloves (ironman)
- moved seat forward and slightly lower
- turned bar ends to face inwards (very Fred)

the last helped the most - I can grasp bar ends in the 90 degree elbow where they hit the handlebars. This lets me sit more upright, take weight off, and spread the pressure. I can also grasp handlebars normally in a more areo postition and rest wrists against the bar end hooks.