Cross18

Hi, Ive been riding for about 3 months and reached about 250 miles total on my Trek 7.3 FX. I'm 27 6'4 and 290lbs. I rode a lot two summers ago, almost none last summer, and Ive been trying to get as much riding in as possible this year. Now I know I need to increase my distance by a lot, right now I ride between 10-15 miles 3-4 days a week and average 14-15 mph.

My problem is that after about 6-7 miles, my hands, feet, and butt/lower back start to get numb. I have clip in shoes and wear a cycling bib, but none of it seems to be going away the more that I ride. Muscle and lung wise I could go a lot farther, but the numbness makes me just ride straight home.

I've been saving for a new road bike and plan on buying it in November, but for the time being what should I try to get rid of the numbness. I know my size may be the issue and I have lost 18lbs so far since I started riding this year and it has not seemed to help.

Sorry for the long post, but what should I do for the time being before I get a new road bike and get it fitted to me. Should I get my trek fitted to me? New seat? Thanks for any suggestions.

jethro56 

I'm 54 so maybe this won't help you but this is how I addressed simliar issues.

Hands: Pilates/Core strenght
Feet: Champion Duo-Dry Socks from Target
Butt: Brooks B17 Saddle

10 Wheels

Ride 5 miles, REST, Ride 5 miles, REST, Ride 5 miles. REST.
I got up to 50 miles a day with that method.

salesman

Bring the bike to a local shop and have it fitted for you. sounds like you need to dial it in for your particular body and riding style.

JT Burkard

I agree, get a pro fitting to the bike. If your clips are not in the right position, you will get a lot of foot pain. Same with the seat and handlebar position. If fitted properly to you, you will have less aches. I recently found if I sit further back on the seat, it reduced my butt pain.

Comfort is a big factor on your ability to ride distance. I do around the same mileage you do and after I made a few changes, I find myself riding further each time. Good luck.

mkadam68

Hands: move them around as much as possible. Take pressure off them by bending the elbows and using them like shock absorbers.
Butt: you have a hybrid with a more upright saddle position. It's going to put pressure on your butt so stand up out of the saddle from time-to-time. Try different gears occasionally that make it harder or easier than normal. Also, perhaps a new saddle.
Feet: make sure you have some stiff-soled shoes. Shoes designed for cycling fit this requirement. Also make sure your toe-clips aren't too tight and causing pressure from above. Occasionally take your foot out and wiggle the toes and stretch it out.

Last, a hybrid isn't designed for long-distance comfort, it's more for toodling around town enjoying the scenery, getting on and off, maybe running errands, etc... So I'm not sure how far you're going to be able to go before needing a road bike.

Cross18

Thanks everyone. I kinda figured my hybrid would only last me so long, its 4 years old and I plan on getting a 2012 Giant road bike in November so hope fully that will help me next year. I just made an appointment to get my hybrid fitted, thanks.

Nightshade

Start by getting your current ride re-fitted to you to see if that helps with the comfort level. My money says your bike has never been fitted to you correctly.

RandoneeRider

For two months now, I've been trying to 'FIT' myself to my new bicycle.... with and without the help of those who KNOW their stuff. I have been able to dial away some of the discomfort you spoke of by doing a few things:

My stem was too long, and my handlebars too narrow.....
WOW! what a difference THOSE THINGS made when I corrected them!!!

My seat was too low....
Got it up where I was no longer rocking from side to side, careful not to get the seat too high, and my hips thanked me!

My Specialized 155mm thin gel seat, as per my "sit bones" having been measured, is VERY forgiving for placement. But when I stuck a B17"S" on the bike, THAT'S when I learned how so terribly important it is to have the seat fore & aft juuust right, and the nose neither too high nor too low..... but the "S" version of my B17 was too short for my butt. When I bought a B17 "Imperial" with it's central cut out, took it out on three different rides before I got it (kinda) dialed in..... well, a Brooks B17 is da bomb.

But all this make-to-do about seat angle, correct adjustment, placement...... seems also to play on how much pressure I'm putting on my hands causing them to go numb, or not. Someday, when I can pedal the bike without putting so much gravity on my saddle, and countering that gravity by leaning heavily on the handlebars, my weight will be supported by my legs and I WILL become more comfortable.... some day.

Don't be afraid to adjust things, but go to a pro with a trained eye first..... THEN experiment.

sjvcycler

pay for a bike fit or pay a dr's bill like I did lol.

CJ C

i hope this helps, I read in the commuting forum that people swear by the Ergon GC3's and it looks like you can get three different hand positions. for the feet i get the numbness once and a while but because i ride in running shoes i am able to reposition my foot on the pedal and it goes away.