Numb hands when touring
08-12-12 | 06:07 PM
#26
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Joined: Jun 2012
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It is possible that your problem is not in your hands. Your problem could be in your elbow (cubital tunnel syndrome), souldler or neck. Different handle bars may help you. Try tapping the base of your palm with the fingers of the opposite hand. If you feel tingling burning in your fingers it's CTS. have someone tap your elbow, ( funny bone) if you feel tingle in your hand when tapping elbow it is CubTS. Next time you start to feel the tingle hold your arm out with your thumb up. This will release the nerve....
08-13-12 | 09:11 PM
#27
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Joined: Mar 2011
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Bikes: 2013 Surly Disc Trucker, 2004 Novara Randonee , old fixie , etc
Well I did two days riding after two days off.
My hands are not great, but not as bad as they were. I think the problem was the really rough day about 2 weeks ago. I spent 7 1/2 hours riding, mostly on very rough roads with an average of 12.1 kmph. There were about 4 hours of that that were downhill on roads so rough that two bolts rattled loose, and I broke the band that holds my waterbottle in.
I will have tomorrow off, then start a 4 day slog across the desert to Kashgar where I will have more than a week off.
Thanks for all your help
z
My hands are not great, but not as bad as they were. I think the problem was the really rough day about 2 weeks ago. I spent 7 1/2 hours riding, mostly on very rough roads with an average of 12.1 kmph. There were about 4 hours of that that were downhill on roads so rough that two bolts rattled loose, and I broke the band that holds my waterbottle in.
I will have tomorrow off, then start a 4 day slog across the desert to Kashgar where I will have more than a week off.
Thanks for all your help
z
Good to hear hands improving. Bumpy roads can be hard on rider & bike alike. LHT has pretty smooth ride but unless one has the 559 (26") wheel version with fat tires it's going to be a lot rougher than say a mtb. I remember Bernard Hinault had numb fingers for 2 weeks after riding in a cold rainy race so you're in good company.
08-16-12 | 05:22 AM
#28
Thread Starter
Hot in China
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: China
Bikes: Giant Lava
Just did three long days, 176 km, 136 km and 120 km. Hands are pretty good, long times in the sadddle as I have often had a head wind.
I think it was the bumpy roads!
z
08-16-12 | 10:41 AM
#29
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Joined: Sep 2008
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Have you seen this thread? https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...tion-Discovery
Your weight should be on the pedals and not on the bars. You need adequately stretched out reach and drop to achieve this, along with increased saddle setback.
Your weight should be on the pedals and not on the bars. You need adequately stretched out reach and drop to achieve this, along with increased saddle setback.
08-17-12 | 02:18 PM
#30
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 304
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From: Chapala, Mexico
Bikes: Habanero Titanium
Have you seen this thread? https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...tion-Discovery
Your weight should be on the pedals and not on the bars. You need adequately stretched out reach and drop to achieve this, along with increased saddle setback.
Your weight should be on the pedals and not on the bars. You need adequately stretched out reach and drop to achieve this, along with increased saddle setback.
08-17-12 | 09:52 PM
#31
just another gosling
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 20,556
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From: Everett, WA
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Have you seen this thread? https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...tion-Discovery
Your weight should be on the pedals and not on the bars. You need adequately stretched out reach and drop to achieve this, along with increased saddle setback.
Your weight should be on the pedals and not on the bars. You need adequately stretched out reach and drop to achieve this, along with increased saddle setback.
08-18-12 | 09:27 PM
#33
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 786
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I can't believe someone hasn't mentioned aerobars.
I just completed by 5th bicycle tour but it's the first time I've tried aerobars.
They are the answer to my prayers.
I've had hand problems on the previous 4 trips and feel stupid for waiting so long.
Now that I'm up there in years (48) my hands can't take it anymore. I'll never do another trip without them.
I just completed by 5th bicycle tour but it's the first time I've tried aerobars.
They are the answer to my prayers.
I've had hand problems on the previous 4 trips and feel stupid for waiting so long.
Now that I'm up there in years (48) my hands can't take it anymore. I'll never do another trip without them.
08-23-12 | 01:11 AM
#35
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Sequim, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula
Bikes: Co-Motion Mocha, Fuji touring, Trex hybrid, Bike Friday Tandem Traveler
I used to have terrible problems with numbness in my hands from cycling, so much that I considered buy a recumbent. I tried more padding on my handlebars, moving my hands around more often, and strengthening core muscles. However, the only thing that worked for me was raising the height of my handlebars. When I finally tried that -- raising my handlebars to the same height as my saddle -- the problem went away almost immediately and it's never bothered me since.
09-02-12 | 01:37 AM
#36
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 53
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I suggest that you take 2 days off, see what happens. if the problem is still there, rest more until you feel like riding again. meanwhile change the angle of your bars, raise them a little bit (so there's less pressure on your hands while riding), try riding with no gloves, change the hand position more frequently. Exercises for hands are essential when bike-touring, because you don't move them that much while riding. If the problem still exists cancel your trip and go see a doctor.
09-02-12 | 07:18 AM
#37
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 159
From: Kalamazoo, Mi.
Bikes: Sam, The Hunq and that Old Guy, Soma Buena Vista, Giant Talon 2, Brompton
I'm a bit late on this thread, but aero bars can help a lot by providing a better position. I am putting these new NItto Bosco Bars on my touring bike. I've used them for a light touring hybrid this summer and have not experienced any numbness at any time, even during a century ride.
They look like an old-fashioned cruiser bar, but they aren't. They provide a huge range of body and hand positions including a very nice aero tuck when extending to the center of the bar. Check them out on Rivendell's site.
Marc
They look like an old-fashioned cruiser bar, but they aren't. They provide a huge range of body and hand positions including a very nice aero tuck when extending to the center of the bar. Check them out on Rivendell's site.
Marc
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