geeklpc1985

Hey,

I just started to have my hands to go num when I ride. I think its my flat handle bar, but I am not sure. I might get a ride to work intill I get the feeling back in the left hand. Anyone else have/had this problem?


Thanks,

GEEK

tulip

lots of folks. Check the fit of your bike. Bend your elbows. Don't put all your weight on your hands--your butt should handle most of it. Oh, and bend your elbows.

jeff-o

And lower your seat.

roadfix

you left out the 'b'

jagged

Gloves (particularly ones that pad around the ulnar nerve) and a lighter grip helped me with this problem. But be careful, because numbness can be a symptom of a larger problem. For now, definitely stop riding until the feeling improves. If the numbness does not go away after a few days, see a doctor.

super-douper

maybe get some bar ends for your straight bar. It helped me when I rode my mtb to work.

geeklpc1985

Thanks for the help, I did a 60 mile ride in 4 hrs and 15 mins. I use motorcycle gloves, I will try bending my elbows more and lowering my seat. I hate to bumb a ride but this numbness sucks.

Thanks for the help so quickly,

GEEK

Javan

I find that moving my hand positions around alot helps. Plus keeping the elbows bent and also 'shaking out" the arms hands, every 20 minutes helps too.

RT

What helped me is aero bars (plus all of the other great advice you've seen in this thread ) - now I'm hooked. All three of my flat-bar bikes have a set of inexpensive aero bars. It not only gives you one more position to be in (it takes a little getting used to), but it also helps in headwinds.

James H Haury

Also you could change the bars to northroads and use the handgrips you currently use and wrap the rest of the bar with bar tape .If you vary your hand position it really helps your comfort.

slagjumper

Could be a sign of Carpel Tunnel (SP?) Try this--

Bend your hand back at about 45 degree angle and lightly hit your inner wrist with 3 fingers from your other hand. Hit an area that is about 1.5 to 0" to your hand.

Did that hurt? Consider surgery. If you wait too long you will suffer nerve damage.

tulip

Surgery should be your LAST resource. Fix the source of the problem, and work to heal the injured parts through physical therapy and other methods.

First, though, make sure your bike fits properly, and that you understand and practice proper form and technique.

eubi

I'm thinking you are compressing a nerve in your hand. This is a pressure-vibration injury, not a repetitive motion injury (RMI) as carple tunnel is. Another test for carple tunnel:

Put your arms in front of you, with your forearms horizontal. Now put the back of your hands flat together with your fingers pointing down.

Does it hurt? Then maybe you do have CTS or another RMI.

Carple tunnel usually results from repetitive motions. Mousing and butchering are classic ways to aquire this malady.

I still tend to ride with stiff arms, even after all the miles I've put in. It's a hard habit for me to break. Keep trying! The suggestions above are all good ones.

dfw

The biggest problem with flat bars are they don't allow for much changing of hand positions. I occassionally get numb hands if I forget to bend my elbows and change my hand positions frequently.