evad

my hands have been going to sleep when I hit the 10 mile mark on my bike.
I have been fitted for this bike. I have a slight bend in my elbows. Since im
new to biking I didnt know if this was something that would go away with time?
could I be gripping the handle bars to tight?

Jonathan Drake

Two questions: are you wearing gloves, and do you have some good quality tape on your bar?

If the answer is yes, then maybe you are holding your bars too tight. In fact, you really should only "caress" them, unless you're out of the saddle. Relax your upper body and enjoy the scenery.

DamianM

You could try moving your saddle forward a bit

evad

I do not where gloves and the tape is not all that great (thick). What is a good tape
to use?

evad

ummm that would be WEAR gloves...lol

waterrockets 

Any cork tape is great. When you get gloves, don't tighten the wrist strap, as that can put your hands to sleep.

As you gain power, your hands will be doing less of the work holding up your torso (due to torque from your legs through your hips). That said, you might consider raising your stem, and possibly shortening it.

Stoeger

Move your hands around on the bar often.

80vette

Get some good bar tape, cork or gel.
Buy some gloves ... look at ones that have padding/gel in the palms.
Move you hands around on the bars, drops, top, hoods, etc.

bluecd

and even after you get the gloves & tape it will still take some time for your hands to get used to it. the more you ride the quicker they will adapt.

trek1

Get a good glove with some serious pad or gel filled because I have found that the minimally most common thinner gloves don't do a damn for me. Make sure you aren't leaning to much either which is your fore/aft seat position, try minor adjustments and mark where you are currently set at.

bullwinkle

Try some bars with "wing" (i.e. flattened) tops. Much more comfy than traditional round bars.

Proximo

+1. I switched to FSA Wing Pro bars recently and the slight numbness I was feeling in my hands after 15-20 miles has disappeared. The round bars concentrate pressure on the ulnar nerve while the flat ones distribute it over the entire palm.

crd15

your supposed to move your hands around the bar every 5 to 10 minutes... then on some long flats, just take your hands off and shake them around for awhile

bigskymacadam

all the above; and strengthen your core so that your arms aren't completely holding your upper body up the whole time.