I went on my first ride in a very long time yesterday (see “back in the saddle” thread) and got my usual numb hands when riding my road bike. I have two bikes a Standard road bike which is a Schwinn Peleton (Steel Frame) and for Tri I have a P3. Prior to getting my P3 I rode the Schwinn exclusively and nearly every time I rode my hands would start to tingle then go numb. Last year I started riding the p3 almost exclusively and never had this problem. What can cause this?
The bike has the original AL fork which might be a bit of the problem but I rode yesterday on some very smooth roads so i doubt that is the case. I wear padded glove and have foam tape on my bars, front wheel was at 85-90psi. My bet is that my position is off and needs a fixin, probably starting with my saddle which I bet is too high.
your position may indeed have something to do with it, but try riding without the gloves and see what happens. a friend had the same problem and found that too much padding was the cause of the problem. he ended up switching to a glove with no padding.
if you have to reach too far or have too much weight on your hands, or if you don’t change hand positions often enough, or if your wrist is too cocked. your wrist should be in line with your arm and your elbows should be a little bent. Check out Andy Pruitt’s Medical Guide for Cyclists ( I think that’s the title). it’s full of road cycling position info and photos and various ailments and their causes.
This problem is frequently caused by less than perfect position on the bike. Riding with too much weight on the hands will definitely cause this sensation. I would guess that after riding for a while you are regularly shaking your hands to get rid of the numb feeling in them?
Increasing the handlebar height can be of great help, but can also make you look like a dork when raised to an extreme. Decreasing the stem length can help similarly.
Lower saddle/saddle further back, or a combo will do the same thing but can affect strength, obviously. However, you’re on a road bike so moving the saddle back is usually a performance booster, especially when climbing. (potential flame war material here)
Trying to alleviate the condition with ge padded gloves or softer bar tape may help a little but isn’t really a cure for what ails ya.
Well, how about silly things, like grabbing the bars too tight or not bending a bit at the elbow…
I’d guess it has to do with your grip on the bars, since you don’t have the problem with the P3, assuming you’re in aero position.
I try to bend my elbows, but often find that I have them locked out. I’ll have to work on that. I am almost always in aero on the p3 but I have gone out on rides with some buddies and been on the horns alot when drating without problems.
your position may indeed have something to do with it, but try riding without the gloves and see what happens. a friend had the same problem and found that too much padding was the cause of the problem. he ended up switching to a glove with no padding.
I actually thought of this and tried it and well it didn’t work. You I sweat like a whore on dollar night and my hands slip and slide all over the hoods and bars so I have to wear gloves. But gloves or no glove they still go numb. Thanks for the help anyhow!
This problem is frequently caused by less than perfect position on the bike. Riding with too much weight on the hands will definitely cause this sensation. I would guess that after riding for a while you are regularly shaking your hands to get rid of the numb feeling in them?
Increasing the handlebar height can be of great help, but can also make you look like a dork when raised to an extreme. Decreasing the stem length can help similarly.
Lower saddle/saddle further back, or a combo will do the same thing but can affect strength, obviously. However, you’re on a road bike so moving the saddle back is usually a performance booster, especially when climbing. (potential flame war material here)
Trying to alleviate the condition with ge padded gloves or softer bar tape may help a little but isn’t really a cure for what ails ya.
Shortening my stem was my next move, but I thought I would bounce it off you guys first to see I I was on track.