1. • CommentAuthorjohnbwrigley
   • CommentTimeMar 27th 2007

    
   Hi ,
   
   I've been riding a road bike for a few years and just purchased a Trek 4400 to try a different style of cycling, however after about an hour my hands go numb on the handlebars? I don't wear riding gloves, should I or is my cycling position wrong?
   My saddle is probably 3 inches higher than my handlebars, should they be level?
   
   Any advice gratefully accepted.
2. • CommentAuthorlouise_enzed
   • CommentTimeMar 27th 2007

    
   My main ride is a Trek 7100fx hybrid.
   On flat bar bikes, hand numbness can be an issue.
   Whilst I choose not to wear to wear gloves, my bike has curved bar-ends covered with a comfy foam material.
   My saddle is about an inch or 2 higher than my handlebars & my barends are set on an angle which allows me a bit of stretch in my back (which is also handy when riding in headwinds).
   Back to the point, I reckon a good set of curved bar-ends with comfy padding might be of some help.
3. • CommentAuthorchewy
   • CommentTimeMar 28th 2007

    
   I wear BG gel gloves, which helps some. I have also heard that tilting the seat forward can cause this problem, as it shifts too much weight to your arms/hands. Maybe a flat seat angle would help. Not sure if the saddle height is an issue. If that was the key, though, it seems like it would have been a problem on the road bike.
4. • CommentAuthorAlisonS
   • CommentTimeApr 7th 2007

    
   I'm guessing you haven't been fitted for your bike?? that might help a bit. Try that first, if it doesn't help, get some gloves...you can only try them
5. • CommentAuthoraoleck
   • CommentTimeApr 16th 2007

    
   usually a problem with how you are positioned on the bike....not a glove issue. If seat is too far forward you might put too much pressure on your arms....if your seat is tilted down could cause a problem....should be a slight tilt upward....if you are a new rider sometimes not distributing weight between seat, legs and arms....getting fitted with a good fit kit at a good bike shop is the best way to fix the problem....lots of other variables.....stem too long or short, seat too far forward or back, too high or low....get the fit kit or try making adjustments on the ride until you feel comfortable
6. •  
     CommentAuthorKevin Pfeiffer
   • CommentTimeApr 17th 2007

    
   You may want to raise the handlebars a bit. And do wear some gloves, as they help with the pressure points.
7. • CommentAuthorangelracer
   • CommentTimeMay 31st 2007

    
   Your bike fit is wrong, gloves dont matter a bit in numbness, you'd get calises. your reaching too far, the seat is too high your extending downward. Your knee must be slightly bent (adjust seatpost), and your elbows slightly bent(matter of bike size or is handlebars can be raised/lowered). If this adjustment is not possible, too big of a bike-
   
   
   Good luck
   'Angelracer'
8. • CommentAuthorJerryA
   • CommentTimeJun 20th 2007 edited

    
   Proper bike fit is important (as stated above) to prevent hand numbness. Your bars should be adjusted so that in your normal riding position, your wrists are straight. (bending at the wrist can restrict blood flow to the hands).
   
   Strengthening your core muscles is also helpful. When you lean forward on your bike, most of your upper body weight should be supported by your core muscles, thus keeping the pressure off your hands.
   
   On my road bike, I've found that since I installed aerobars, I have a lot less hand numbness. When my hands get tired, I can shift the weight to my elbows.
   
   BTW, I do recommend wearing gloves, not to prevent numbness, but to improve your grip when your hands are wet with sweat or rain, and to save the skin on your hands in the event of a crash.
   
   Hope this helps.
   
   Jerry
9. • CommentAuthorneilfein
   • CommentTimeJun 22nd 2007

    
   Not exactly the same issue, but I had wrist pain until I raised my seat. The general idea is you want to put as little weight on your hands as possible. If you're holding the bars in a death grip, try relaxing your grip.
   
   You want to put as much weight on your butt as you can. Your saddle height should be such that you can touch the ground with your toes but not with the entire sole of your foot. And I find my knees are happiest when they're almost but not quite hyperextended (i.e., locked straight is bad).
10. • CommentAuthornoteon
    • CommentTimeJun 24th 2007

     
    FWIW:
    
    I tried changing positions, adding bar ends, different padding, different gloves... The only thing that worked for me was switching to a bike with front suspension. I switched for other reasons--but suddenly it took much longer for my hands to feel at all uncomfortable. On my suspensionless Trek hybrid, I could expect to feel it after a mile or two. With the front suspension (the bike is a Dahon Matrix), I can often get to work (12 miles) without any discomfort at all.
11. • CommentAuthorsuperdavecorsa
    • CommentTimeAug 9th 2007

     
    Get a recumbent and you will not have pain anywhere no matter how long you ride.
12. • CommentAuthorChainline
    • CommentTimeAug 9th 2007

     
    Aside from the basic fit of the bike (which bike shop types talk too much about so they can sell you more stuff), I've found that technique and just plain time in the saddle are the best fixes for this. I once had a numb hands (or wrists) problem, but it went away when I learned a more proper technique of sitting on the bike, letting loose of the handlebar, using more of my back instead of resting on my hands. With riding time, your body can adjust to about anything, so if you're riding only a few miles a week, don't expect to get used to anything, and all the bike shop BS in the world won't help your hands. I don't want to assume anything about your riding, but that worked for me - technique over time.
13. • CommentAuthorfalse_Aesthetic
    • CommentTimeAug 30th 2007

     
    A bunch of these kids are right.
    
    I'll second JerryA's statement "Your bars should be adjusted so that in your normal riding position, your wrists are straight. (bending at the wrist can restrict blood flow to the hands)."
    
    AND his core muscle comment too.
    
    Your back muscles don't hold you up as much as your abs do. If you don't already, start doing crunches (doing them with a swiss ball doesn't hurt your back...I recommend it). Start out with 3 sets of 25. In a week build to 4 of 25. Every week add more reps: 4 of 30, 4 of 40, etc. The two coolest things about abs are 1) you can work them every day 2) it's a fast workout (3 sets of 100 takes me about 10 min)
14. • CommentAuthorSvend
    • CommentTimeOct 13th 2007 edited

     
    Don't change the seat height if it's right for the length of your almost fully extended legs. The problem is elsewhere.
    Get the proper type of bike, if it's for racing it's fine to be crouched over but most commuters or pleasure riders should ride with a more upright position. It's a shame that handlebars aren't as easy to adjust as seats are on most bikes.
15. • CommentAuthorDNAtsol
    • CommentTimeOct 14th 2007

     
    I tend to agree with false_Aesthetic. When I starting riding my MTB I was getting a lot of numbness. As I've continued, I've worked out better riding positions, become more aware of where my CG is, I'm gripping the bars less tightly etc. Sure seat height and general bike fitting are good (I had mine fitted when I bought mine) but there really is no excuse for not riding more [if you'll pardon the double entendre] :)
    
    RE: the glove issue... get a pair. They are helpful both physically and psychologically. Lots of psych studies show that performance, commitment and attention to detail is better if you actually wear the "uniform" associated with the task. I just bought your basic kit but it really helped me to stick with the riding even on days when I didn't feel like it. Thinking about getting into the gloves and jersey gave me that little extra rush.
16. • CommentAuthoralanm
    • CommentTimeOct 28th 2007

     
    Gloves will indeed help, especially if they have pads that help to align/cushion the nerves. Check out Specialized's "Body Geomety" gloves or similar -- the pads on these are designed to help protect against numbness.
    
    A big consideration is wrist angle. Make sure you're riding with neutral wrists. If your wrists are cocked or bent backwards when gripping the bars, you're putting excessive pressure on the nerve bundles through your wrists. Straighten out your wrists so there's a smooth line from your forearm to the back of your hand, and along the outer edge of your forearms to your little fingers.
    
    Sometimes it's something quite simple too, like gripping the bars tightly instead of relaxing. This can happen even to experienced riders if on an unfamiliar bike or unfamiliar terrain or intimidating traffic.
    ...alan

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