Pain near the wrist and thumb (tendon?)
 

There must be something wrong with my cycling, probably bike size or set up. I mentioned earlier that I'm having hip pains, maybe due to too high saddle. At the same time, I am also having pain in my left hand, in the area between thumb and wrist, near "ball of thumb", probably to do with a tendon there. This is apparently caused by resting my hand on the handlebar for too long time. When I ride, my arms are usually stretched straight (elbow not bent). Is this right or wrong? Maybe the handlebar is too far from the saddle, so that when I grasp the handlebar, much of my body weight follows to the front weighing on my hands?

(Both my hip pain and hand pain are on the left side, left-wing conspiracy?:D)

Go to this site: http://www.cptips.com/xtocdet.htm#equitip

Scroll down to the Medical Issues. Scroll down to the Musculoskeletal section and start reading the articles under there about hip pain and hand pain etc.



And you need to bend your elbows when you ride. Don't lock them straight.

Do you think, perhaps, your bicycle is too big for you?

Fit may be a problem but it could be those flat bars they put on hybrids.

I had a hybrid I rarely rode because it hurt my hands after only 20 to 30 minutes. Changed out the bars to a "mousetache" style and now really enjoy riding the bike.

http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...lebars-1-1.jpg

http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...antage-1-1.jpg

Thanks for the link. It's a good site. I think my locking the elbow is part of the cause. Not sure if the bicycle is too big for me, but it's not a big size. My problem is I have a relatively short torso, so need to lean more forward to reach the handlebar. Just checked the saddle and there is a bit room to move it slightly forward.

First time heard "mousetache" as the name of this kind of handlebar :D Yeah that would help shorten the distance between handlebar and seat, but it would look like riding a cruiser :)

set your saddle to fix your fit for your lower body not your hand/upper. Then address the hand/upper body fit. W/ a short torso you are quite possibly too outstretched which places undue percentage of your weight forward and on your hands. If this is the case you can get a shorter (and possible and bigger rise) stem to shift more weight onto your saddle. You want good weight distribution and a bend in your arms.

I think eventually I have to replace the current bike with one that fits me better...when I find one and when I have extra $$$. :)

Are there bikes whose handlebar could be moved toward the saddle a little?

What do you want? Looks or comfort? FYI this is a Nitto Dove Bar purchased from Rivendale. I rode this bike at a fairly big night time social ride recently and afterwards I was totally surprised by the number of people coming by and complementing the bike.

Yeah I guess I spelled mustache wrong.

I'm worse. I couldn't spell mustache so I just copied yours (and now am copying again :D). I was not referring to your spelling but the name of the type of beard. :D I will probably become comfortable with this type of handlebar once I'm used to not locking my elbow while riding. Thanks for the suggestion.