Hand and Arm Pain
07-04-06, 03:25 PM
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Hand and Arm Pain
OK roadie vets: My hands/fingers sometimes get numb and my arms fatigue when on bike 15+ miles. I'm in good upper body shape, no wimpy weak wisecracks please. I'm changing positions of hands on drop bars and that works for a while- is it a break in thing, just get used to it? Or a technique you really smart riders can share?
07-04-06, 03:43 PM
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this is coming up a lot...
This question seems to be asked almost daily...I would recommend searching...sorry to 'that' guy.
Here are my thoughts, if you are comfortable and don't feel you are putting too much weight on your hands then it could just be a break-in thing. You mentioned changing out hand positions often, that will help. Do you find the drops comfortable?
Unfortunately there are many causes of this:
1. stem length
2. stem height
3. seat for/aft position (this should not be used to fix your hand issues, but it is part of the equation)
4. gloves?? these help a lot, and I consider them required safety equip (removing sand and rocks imbedded in your palms gets old fast)
5. about 10 other things more experienced riders will point out...
Here are my thoughts, if you are comfortable and don't feel you are putting too much weight on your hands then it could just be a break-in thing. You mentioned changing out hand positions often, that will help. Do you find the drops comfortable?
Unfortunately there are many causes of this:
1. stem length
2. stem height
3. seat for/aft position (this should not be used to fix your hand issues, but it is part of the equation)
4. gloves?? these help a lot, and I consider them required safety equip (removing sand and rocks imbedded in your palms gets old fast)
5. about 10 other things more experienced riders will point out...
07-04-06, 03:46 PM
#3
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Gloves are key. They are the fastest and easiest remedy to try first.
07-04-06, 06:11 PM
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Well, duh, Mr Obvious.
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Originally Posted by Nubie
Gloves are key. They are the fastest and easiest remedy to try first.
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03 Specialized Allez CrMo-Singlespeed conversion
03 Specialized Allez CrMo-Singlespeed conversion
07-04-06, 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by tenminmis
OK roadie vets: My hands/fingers sometimes get numb and my arms fatigue when on bike 15+ miles. I'm in good upper body shape, no wimpy weak wisecracks please. I'm changing positions of hands on drop bars and that works for a while- is it a break in thing, just get used to it? Or a technique you really smart riders can share?
Upper body in good shape is irrelevent. Or as much of a surprise as 250lbs body-builders not being able to climb well. You need task specific exercise as always, and mileage will get you there. As Coppi I think said, you need to 'ride a bike', 'ride a bike', ride a bike',...
This of course given that the bike fits you well, you maintain good posture and are still comfortable after your 15 miles, you're wearing good gloves, you're not gripping the bars with fear - relax that upper body a bit and move hands around.
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07-04-06, 06:34 PM
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fit check check
I'm still putting new miles on and will get fit checked again soon- bike feels right, slight adjustments may do the trick. Want to make sure I have 200 + miles on it so I can "feel" subtle changes....
...and upper body strength DOES matter
...and upper body strength DOES matter
07-04-06, 06:35 PM
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I solved the same problem by...
moving my seat back a bit and tilting it up slightly. Took all of the weight off of my hands.
07-05-06, 02:29 AM
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I had some slight numbing of the hands even with gel gloves so I added some Specialised bar phat gel pads and rewrapped the bars, no more pain and I did'nt need to tweak the position.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?...lized_bar_phat
https://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?...lized_bar_phat
