Numb Hands
#26
Senior Member
excellent pictures. This thread I linked too has really helped me out, but in the process of doing what has been suggested I find I now need a longer stem on my comfort oriented Felt Z85 so I've ordered one. I didn't think I'd want to be low as a bike noob, but it seemed to really increase power naturally and without pain.. but with the need suddenly of a longer stem.. when in position I can see the hubs in front of the handlebars and feel like I need more stem length... perhaps because of the way that particular comfort frame is designed. Anywho going from 110 to 130 or 140 and reevaluating. There seems to be more then ample room to turn a comfort bike into an aggressive one and vice versa as a bike noob. Once I figure out what I really like, if what I like trends towards being lower and more aero, I'll keep that in mind should the time come to upgrade. That's a ways off yet though. My LBS wasn't all that helpful in all honesty. But hey the first bike is always a learning experience. I'd never have wanted the aggressive riding bike at the time
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...tion-Discovery
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...tion-Discovery
Sounds more like you've got the wrong sized frame for your body size/proportions.
#28
Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Posts: 47
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I prefer 46cm width, which narrows options even further in 31.8 clamp size. I've been using this bar recently https://www.syntace.com/index.cfm?pid=3&pk=1838. The 100mm reach XL has more room for wide hands than continuous bend compact bars. It is not available from US vendors at this time.
#29
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 46
Bikes: 2012 Trek 7.3 FX 2013 Giant Revel 0 29er
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Great thread. I'm new to riding and had bad numbness this morning. Will try some of the tips here. Great info.
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Malvern, Pa.
Posts: 439
Bikes: Trek Pilot 5.9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Great thread. I'm new to riding and had bad numbness this morning. Will try some of the tips here. Great info.
#32
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Ludington, MI
Posts: 7
Bikes: Giant- Sedona (Enduro)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thank you so much for your detailed and exhasustive post. With my Giant-Sedona (17 years old) but good durable bike, I definately need to change hadlebars. It has the short straight out, big tappered bars and they added another pair which branches forward about 3-4 in. and then parallels the original (probably for standing on pedal maneuvers) but none that go way out so you can lay down and stop making a sail out of your body. This would help on relieving weight pressure and I actually find it better to slide back on my seat significantly to get the most power out of my pedaling, so for me a set back could have a two fold benefit. My hands get so numb I lose feeling and can't maintain a hold of bars or shift gears and that is with moving hands around constanly and putting them down at side periodically and shaking them out.
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Bangin 314
Posts: 149
Bikes: 2014 Focus Cayo 3.0 / 2000 specialized stumpjumper M4 / 2013 All City Big Block
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i have numbness only on my left hand, usually in my fingers going towards my pinky. i thought maybe it was from my dislocated shoulder healing. i will switch up during the ride but it can creep up in under 20 miles easily. i was properly fitted at time of purchase and have not changed any of those specs but will talk to LBS again.
high fives to DannoXYZ for that post!
high fives to DannoXYZ for that post!
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 363
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 148 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
I am somewhat of an ultra distance rider so I use to get hand numbness on some of ultra rando rides like 400k 600k and 1200k rides which sometimes left my hands numb for a couple of days after. This is what I did that helped some. Double wrapped my handlebars or there is a new wrap out there that is more padded that helps and deaden the tires in the front end. I run 120 - 125 psi in the rear and only 100 - 105 psi up front. It helps take some of the road vibration out. You can also move your hands around a lot more on the bars and I go to the middle on climbs and other times during the ride.
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 162
Bikes: 2018 Trek Emonda SL w/Vision metron 40 wheelset, ultegra gruppa. 2010 Intense Tracer VP
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 69 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I just had my Trek 56cm frame replaced under warranty for breakage. They sent me a 58cm. I have no idea why, but now no hand numbness, and saddle discomfort is pretty much all gone. The rest of the equipment (gloves, clothes, components etc) all remained the same ((shrugs))
Matt
Matt
#37
Senior Member
Another trick is when riding with your hands on the top of the bar, make sure that your thumbs go under the bar, and not rest on top alongside your hand. This reduces pressure on the nerve, and helps reduce numbness.
I discovered quite by accident, as I am running a flat bar on my folder. I have an 11 speed kit, and shift up and down regularly as I ride. I noticed that my right hand was getting numb, and my left hand was not. The difference was entirely because I was keeping my thumb on top of the bar to actuate the shifter. After making a conscious effort to keep both hands in the same position as much as possible, my right hand is no longer getting numb.
I discovered quite by accident, as I am running a flat bar on my folder. I have an 11 speed kit, and shift up and down regularly as I ride. I noticed that my right hand was getting numb, and my left hand was not. The difference was entirely because I was keeping my thumb on top of the bar to actuate the shifter. After making a conscious effort to keep both hands in the same position as much as possible, my right hand is no longer getting numb.
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 363
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 148 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
I just had my Trek 56cm frame replaced under warranty for breakage. They sent me a 58cm. I have no idea why, but now no hand numbness, and saddle discomfort is pretty much all gone. The rest of the equipment (gloves, clothes, components etc) all remained the same ((shrugs))
Matt
Matt
That probably means you were riding on too short of a frame before but if it works stick with it.
Zman
#40
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,528
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3663 Post(s)
Liked 5,410 Times
in
2,748 Posts
#41
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,984
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6192 Post(s)
Liked 4,808 Times
in
3,316 Posts
Probably the one that had their hands amputated since they didn't get the information till 10 years later.
Likes For Iride01:
#42
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,635
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4733 Post(s)
Liked 1,532 Times
in
1,003 Posts
Zombies don't suffer from carpal tunnel
#43
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,952
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10422 Post(s)
Liked 11,884 Times
in
6,088 Posts
Wrong thread. Sorry. Go on about your business.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
Last edited by genejockey; 07-19-21 at 03:45 PM.