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Numb Hands

Blake StonerBlake Stoner
in General Training Discussions

I have a problem with my hands going numb on a ride and it is not the shake your hand and it gets better variety either.  My hands will get so numb that I have trouble changing gears or even getting a Chomp out of my bag during the ride.

I ride a 2011 Trek 5.2 Madone.  I received a fit from my LBS when I purchased the bike new, and a second trying to solve my numbness issue.  I am now on my third stem for which we have maxed out the available stem angles while trying to remove pressure off of my hands so they don't go numb.  I have tried adding clip on tri bars but the geometry of the bike vs. myself just doesn't work.  Using the golves which are supposed to prevent numbness only makes the problem worse.

I am getting to the point where I don't want to put any more money into the bike trying to solve this problem.  The last stem resulted in me having to have the bike re-cabled.  Does anyone have any suggestions or is time to cut my losses on this bike and buy something new?  I have recently borrowed a tri bike from a friend to explore maybe switching to a tri bike.  When I bought the bike, I was more partial to a road bike as I could both race and do group rides.  Any help would be appreciated.

Comments

  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    Are you in aero when this numbness happens, or are you "on the horns"?

    Numbness for me in the hands, while in aero, means new elbow pads.
    While "on the horns", for me, means more core work to take more pressure off of my hands gripping; and of course changing positions frequently.

    If numbness occurred on this as well as other bikes, then you might have some nerve compression issues. No bike fit will solve that, sorry.
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    I wonder if it's carpal tunnel? If you are putting a lot of weight on your hands for an extended time, while they are in an extended position (the position they are in when you do push-ups, for example), the radial and/or ulnar nerve will get compressed and lead to numbness in the fingers/hands (radial = thumb/index/middle, ulnar = middle/ring/little.)

    When riding on a road bike, the majority of your weight should be on your feet and butt, less on your hands. For carpal tunnel symptoms, Try keeping your wrists straight while riding; if this is hard, get a wrist brace specific for carpal tunnel, and see if that helps.

    There are of course, lots of other possibilities, such as neck, shoulder or elbow problems, but these are less likely. My hands are numb all the time (not just when riding), but that's due to nerves mis-firing in my spinal cord. Start simple, though - ride with less weight on your arms/hands, and keep your wrists straight.

  • cgres123cgres123
    I was looking to see what folks had to say about this as the same thing happens to me too. For me it is worse on the trainer, I suspect because I am stationary. On the road it happens too but not as much because I have more body movement that allows me to move the pressure on my palms from the handle bar to the horns and the drops. So I find shifting my body movement and my hand position helps out a lot, I suggest you keep moving around to avoid the numbness. I find also that using a glove that doesn't have a lot of padding helps too.
  • robin sarnerrobin sarner

    assuming we are talking road. bike.    

    seat angle ok?     usually should be flat to nose slightly up.

    keep elbows somewhat flexed when riding.  

    get adjustable angle stem to mess around with

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