Handlebar width and Handlebar Palsy?
 

Alright so I searched for it and couldn't find the answer I was looking for. I recently purchased a Madone 5.2 Pro and have yet to be fitted on it. The bike was a big enough purchase to start! So I've logged 20 to 25 miles a day for three weeks with minimal problems until last week. I developed a definate case of handlebar palsy, ring and pinky finger non operational! I have broad shoulders and should be riding a 46cm handlebar instead of the 42cm bar it came stock with. Could this contribute to this condition? Being new to road riding could it just be overuse from riding 20+mi a day?

I realize that the fit isn't perfectly in tune yet, and that I will more than likely be shortening the stem and possibly raising the angle to remove weight from my hands, but what I really don't get is that I'm a flexible guy and feel like I'm not leaned over enough. For those wanting to know, I'm riding a 7degree 100mm stem, and yes I can see the front hub! <---Though I don't understand this concept! I've also read as a general starting place your handlebars should be the same distance from your seat by measurement of your elbow to your index finger. If this is the case I need to shorten the stem to something around 80mm. The handlebar/seat drop is about 1.5''

My fore and aft look and feel about right, and I know my core could use some work but I'm highly aggitated at a 3k investment now sitting in my dinning room not being ridden! I really enjoyed riding guys.

I ordered a 46cm handlebar today off of ebay for 30bucks knowing it would need changed regardless.

When I go for the fit should I ask for an adjustable stem, a shorter stem, or a stem with more rise? Do you all think the handlbar might be a fix?

Anyone else experience this, and what did they do! It's a dominant hand problem for me which is actually rather life threating problem seeing as I'm a cop and I'm having issues dropping my magazine from my sidearm! Not to mention the consistant task of writing, typing, etc. All around not good!

Thanks in advance,
Brett

You dropped 3k for a bike and the shop did not adjust your position on it? That is wrong !
Too much weight on hands supporting the body is not correct position and may be wrong for many reasons...too many to try guessing on a thread.
All measurement types are just a starting point. Proper positioning means you on a bike on a trainer for a period of time, you need to be stretched and warmed up as well, while a competent adjuster begins the process of getting your body to be comfortable and efficient.
Good luck but you need to have a talk with your shop.

You've not mentioned your height/weight/bike size, etc. At the very least these are helpful stats to even get the minimum of suggestions on this forum.

I'm 26, 5' 10' and weigh 250 lbs.

Your nose is growing!

ok, since you're going in for a fit, there's not much point in asking for internet tips.

but: consider these possibilities and discuss with your fitter:
- what's your day job - are you prone to carpal tunnel-ish stuff anyway?
- what's your overall body fitness? maybe some pushups and core work is in order?
- and yeah, it could partially / largely be a case of "new bike high mileage syndrome"

Good luck.

I don't know how much handlebar width affects the numbness, though it's an interesting question.

I started wearing padded gloves after doing some research on it, and my numbness and weakness went away in a few weeks.

:thumb:

Alright have fun w this
 

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n...kinkedarms.jpg

Alright, so I now may look like a total moron for the picture but that's how I'm riding. I find myself rotating my wrists so that the heel of my palm sits on top of the bar while my index and thumb seperate the brake hood. At first it was annoying trying to find the sweet spot, but I thought I had it figured out until this little problem.

I now don't believe everything I read, and I think that the proper handlebar may fix this problem as well as shortening the stem for now. Without locking your elbows and trying to keep an open chest this is what your arms and hands will do. I was wondering if the correct handlebar is more for proper wrist alignment and not "opening the chest" as some call it. I feel like I could ride a 38cm bar and not have issues breathing, if my hands would allow it.

Could someone show me a picture of proper hand placement on the hood as well as a good side shot? All the pictures I see are at some funky angle or overly stressing leg placement. Part of my aggrivation will be spending a couple of hours trying to fix my hand issue, rather than fixing a few overall issues for overall performance. So if I can alleviate the problem prior too, the bike fit guru can spend more time on getting the most out of my engine, poor guy has a task ahead of him!

Thanks again for the input.
~Brett