urbanachiever

this is my first post! - ok, so why do you think only my left hand goes numb on rides? I usually try to ride 40-60 miles per ride, but even a few miles out my left hand will go numb, not the right. Anyone else have this experience? I guess the ultimate answer is to change my setup until this doesn't happen? I am currently putting new bars and shifter/levers on my bike (from tri bar set up). Thanks in advance for any input!

-VELOCITY-

Well just try riding with a little bit of a lean towards the right. Maybe that'll help. I usually ride for a while sitting up using no hands to give them both a break.

Re Cycle

Have a knowledgeable LBS put your bike up on a stand and make sure your handlebars/seat, etc are properly fitted.

I also use gel-pad gloves.

I used to get horrible numbing, but it has been greatly reduced by these two steps alone.

johnny99

Are you leaning on your hands when you ride? Try bending your elbows more (around 45 degrees, not locked straight).

urbanachiever

how 'bout one sparkly glove on the left hand only? - seriously thanks for the input - I'll focus on my elbow angle next ride - it is better on uphills since i guess weight is shifted to the rear - one upside to going up hill. I'll try all of those suggestions.

johnny99

It is probably better going up hill because you are pedalling harder. Leaning on your hands is a sign that you are not pedalling hard enough.

mcoomer

If your hands are going numb I suspect that your putting too much weight on them. When you're riding you need to use your stomach and back (your core) to support your upper body weight. Your shoulders and elbows should be relaxed to the point that you can flap them like a bird. I know that's probably an interesting mental picture but go with it. Also, try shifting your hand position on the bars occasionally.

Nessism

There is a large nerve that runs up the side of the hand near the heal pad. If you ride with a lot of weight on this nerve your hand will go numb. Obvious answer on how to avoid this is to change your position of the bike. Padded bar tape and padded gloves will help. Raising the bars and reducing reach may help as well - as well as just holding the bars differently.

Dubbayoo

I have the same issue. Typically my left hand (specifically the thumb) is very sensitive to wind/cold temps on rides. It's been two weeks since my ALC 6 ride (545 miles in 7 days) and my left thumb/index finger still have that tingly feeling like they've been asleep for a while. At first it was the whole hand but now it's narrowed.

Michigan

I've got the $5 Nashbar gel pads under my tape in the 3 and 9 o'clock positions rather than on top, because it effectively widens my bars so I can have more surface area to broaden the pressure points and give some relief to the hand nerves. It works very well for me.

lvleph

It may be that your fit is off. Meaning you handle bars are too close.

bryanp

This was happening to me, so I tilted the bars forward making the drops a little bit more parallel with the ground. This helped. That may not help in your case, it's worth a try though.

cooker

If you are leaning too heavily on the bars you may need to move your seat back. (Seems paradoxical, but if it's too far forward it sort of tips you onto the bars). If the reach is too far, raise the bars a tad or get a shorter stem, or flip it up if it is that kind of stem.