Numb hands

Try some padded gloves and/or gel tape on the handlebars. Also don't ride with your hands in one position. Ride for a little while in the drops, and then move them to the brake hoods for awhile, then to the top of the bar, etc.

The more upright that you ride, the less pressure there is on the hands, so raise you handlebars as high as they will go, and lower your seat a little. You won't be as fast as you were, about 1-2 MPH, but it will take pressure off your hands.

If none of that works, see your doctor.:eek:

stallard said:

Help !! For several years I have been trying to find the optimum position to eliminate hand numbing pressure on the bars. I have tried seat high, seat low, seat back, seat forward and a multitude of stem lengths, but although I have gotten close and can be fine for the first few miles, the pressure always shows up in the end. I even have a custom built frame (road) with 73 - 72 1/2 angles. Does anyone know what the problem is? Thankyou for any opinions.

Some things I've been told:

Pony up for some good gloves
Don't try to choke the handlebars
Don't lock your elbows
Change hand postions occasionally
Sit up and shake out the arms every now and then
An anti-inflammatory like Aleeve

If you sit at a desk all day typing, carpal tunnel can cause numbness when riding no matter what you do to prevent it. I'll be looking forward to this in a few years.

Can be a sign of too much weight on your hands-- the weight should be on the seat.

Check your wrist position: less bend means less numbness.

I have two pair of gel gloves. The thinner PI lites are better at preventing numbness than my thicker Bash gloves.

The gloves should be tight, but their cuff shouldn't be: Even having your watch too tight can cause it.

My hands do this every now and again, I shake for a little bit to wake em up

stallard said:

Help !! For several years I have been trying to find the optimum position to eliminate hand numbing pressure on the bars. I have tried seat high, seat low, seat back, seat forward and a multitude of stem lengths, but although I have gotten close and can be fine for the first few miles, the pressure always shows up in the end. I even have a custom built frame (road) with 73 - 72 1/2 angles. Does anyone know what the problem is? Thankyou for any opinions.

How about the angle of the seat, is it tilted forward or level and how about the position of your bars? Are they level or tilted slightly?
Things to consider.

jhuskey said:

How about the angle of the seat, is it tilted forward or level and how about the position of your bars? Are they level or tilted slightly?
Things to consider.

You should go to a good bike shop that sells and fits road bikes and have them do that for ya.

also try Bontraged Bzzkills bar caps. I don't know if theey make a difference personally, but i've heard they help.

For the past 6 months, I have suffered numb hands on any ride over 7-10 miles. I have tried everything I could think of. Then, I told the wrench wo built my bike at the LBS. He adjusted my seat a tad forward and asked me to do another ride, still no luck.

I went back to the store and he said everything is perfect based upon the fit measurements he did. He said that he wanted to replace my stem with one that is a cm longer. I agreed and we replaced the stem.

This past weekend, I did 15, 25, and 5o miles rides. Absolutely no hand numbness. I was so excited I have ridden almost every day this week. I never enjoyed riding so much!

Stay with it, get your fit right and enjoy.

Thanks for all of the tips. I have this problem as well and will go back to the lbs for adjustments.😎

stallard said:

Help !! For several years I have been trying to find the optimum position to eliminate hand numbing pressure on the bars. I have tried seat high, seat low, seat back, seat forward and a multitude of stem lengths, but although I have gotten close and can be fine for the first few miles, the pressure always shows up in the end. I even have a custom built frame (road) with 73 - 72 1/2 angles. Does anyone know what the problem is? Thankyou for any opinions.

Your hands sound like my feet. sometimes it's just genetics. I do hope you find a cure. This might sound stupid but I would try yoga. I know that it helps my sciatica. Maybe you should start a wrist and forearm stretching program.
I say this because it sounds like you've exhausted all possible positions.

I had this problem too, but now I really think about sitting on the seat. I figured it was psychological to want to lean forward into your hands, like I'd go faster that way? Anyway, I had to really teach myself to sit on my butt. I re-center pretty often and as everyone has said, ask the LBS to get your fit just right too. That helps tons.

Huh? I've not heard this one. Sounds like position and circulation maybe. Try out some different bikes at a shop. Ask the people in the shops too. They might have heard of this. Sales people sometimes have tons of information about various things.

It could be that you're applying too much pressure on the handle bars. Perhaps the way you're seated on your bike, the weight distribution may be a little off. I'm sure you're likely in good health, but I'd advise you to go for a check up. I don't want to make you paranoid or anything, but it's best to check that there isn't anything wrong with your blood circulation.

I used to experience numb and weak pinky and thumb but i found some youtube vids about exercises on how to rehabilitate them... it works great but kinda hard to describe in words..

If it's weather related the answer is is easy. When it comes to nerve pain that complicates things a bit. Carpal tunnel and all the possibilities already mentioned here that aren't weather/temperature related fall under the category of nerve pain. The comments for on how to remedy positional nerve pain issues are all good. I would just add that it might be a good idea to consult a doctor as well.

Numb hands are almost always related to either gloves that are too tight or handlebars that are too close.

Try riding without gloves.

Try putting the stem down a bit or putting on a longer stem. Try loosening the stem/bar clamp a little and rotating the bars so the brake hoods are a little farther away.

I've only had numb hands a few times and that was related to the cold. Not packing gloves but continuing anyway.

I'd agree with swampy1970 though that the handlebar position can cause it. Also alternating your hand position on the bars might be of a help.