First Longer Ride

Jorg Lueke said:

Today I managed my first ride of some duration a 62 mile (actually 65)
trek. All in all it went pretty well. However, I definitely had some
issues with numbness in a certain area after about 40 miles. I am
fairly sure my handlebars need to come up. The problem is last time I
tried the bike became rather unstable. Now maybe I just didn't center
the stem after the adjustments, so I will try one more time. Another
possibility is that these bars won't go any higher. If not do I need
a new longer stem?

If your handlebars aren't more than a couple of inches below your saddle,
that shouldn't be a problem. Make sure your saddle is level rather than
tilted up at the nose, and when you're riding remember to stand up
for at least 10 sec or so every 10-15 mins to restore any blood flow
that's been reduced. I've found that saddles which are fine on the road
will cause numbness after about 30 mins on the rollers, where I can't
stand up or move my [censored] around much.

Quoted message said:

One other thing that takes me too long is centering the wheel after I
take it off. Invariably after I first get it back on it slides
against a brake pad. Is there an easy method for reattaching the
wheel, or will I just get better with practice?

The rim should be close enough to centred in the frame when seated
fully in the dropouts that you can adjust the brakes sideways to be centred
around it (a little Allen screw on the top) without trouble, and simply
resting the wheel on the ground before clamping it should work every
time. If the rim is too far off centre, take the bike to a shop.

--
Home page: http://members.westnet.com.au/mvw

Jorg Lueke said:

Today I managed my first ride of some duration a 62 mile (actually 65)
trek. All in all it went pretty well. However, I definitely had some
issues with numbness in a certain area after about 40 miles. I am
fairly sure my handlebars need to come up. The problem is last time I
tried the bike became rather unstable. Now maybe I just didn't center
the stem after the adjustments, so I will try one more time. Another
possibility is that these bars won't go any higher. If not do I need
a new longer stem?

Possible reasons for numbness:

Poor bike fit.
Too high a saddle, causing your hips to rock and grinding your, you
know, into the saddle nose.
Not wearing bike shorts or wearing underwear under bike shorts.
Too narrow/too hard/ too soft/ too wide a saddle.
Not standing up or shifting from time to time.

When I had this happen, it took ten days for feeling to return. I hope
you didn't have to wait that long.

The Historian wrote:
:: Jorg Lueke wrote:
::: Today I managed my first ride of some duration a 62 mile (actually
::: 65) trek. All in all it went pretty well. However, I definitely
::: had some issues with numbness in a certain area after about 40
::: miles. I am fairly sure my handlebars need to come up. The
::: problem is last time I tried the bike became rather unstable. Now
::: maybe I just didn't center the stem after the adjustments, so I
::: will try one more time. Another possibility is that these bars
::: won't go any higher. If not do I need a new longer stem?
::
:: Possible reasons for numbness:
::
:: Poor bike fit.
:: Too high a saddle, causing your hips to rock and grinding your, you
:: know, into the saddle nose.
:: Not wearing bike shorts or wearing underwear under bike shorts.
:: Too narrow/too hard/ too soft/ too wide a saddle.
:: Not standing up or shifting from time to time.
::
:: When I had this happen, it took ten days for feeling to return. I
:: hope you didn't have to wait that long.

So your problem is solved now, right?

I hope so!

The Historian said:

Jorg Lueke said:

Today I managed my first ride of some duration a 62 mile (actually 65)
trek. All in all it went pretty well. However, I definitely had some
issues with numbness in a certain area after about 40 miles. I am
fairly sure my handlebars need to come up. The problem is last time I
tried the bike became rather unstable. Now maybe I just didn't center
the stem after the adjustments, so I will try one more time. Another
possibility is that these bars won't go any higher. If not do I need
a new longer stem?

Possible reasons for numbness:

Poor bike fit.
Too high a saddle, causing your hips to rock and grinding your, you
know, into the saddle nose.
Not wearing bike shorts or wearing underwear under bike shorts.
Too narrow/too hard/ too soft/ too wide a saddle.
Not standing up or shifting from time to time.

When I had this happen, it took ten days for feeling to return. I hope
you didn't have to wait that long.

The saddle is level and perfect. I suspect the handlebars more because
as I ride past 2 hours I find that my preferred group is closer
towards me in a more upright position. But that spot is not really on
a good spot on the handlebars, they seem a bit too far away. Since
I'm fairly tall the saddle is up a bit and so the differntial may be a
bit much. That said, this doesn't bother me for the 20-30 miles I
typically have time to bike. Everything became an issue after about
mile 40.

But, the standing is a good tip as well. I intuited this too late on
the ride. Plus, in the city I usually have to get off at stop signs
and red lights so that probably helps to obviate the issue as well.

The feeling is coming back but not 100% yet. My left pinky has that
issue as well.
I suppose as long as I learn it will be worth the pain, or numbness.

Michael Warner said:

Jorg Lueke said:

Today I managed my first ride of some duration a 62 mile (actually 65)
trek. All in all it went pretty well. However, I definitely had some
issues with numbness in a certain area after about 40 miles. I am
fairly sure my handlebars need to come up. The problem is last time I
tried the bike became rather unstable. Now maybe I just didn't center
the stem after the adjustments, so I will try one more time. Another
possibility is that these bars won't go any higher. If not do I need
a new longer stem?

If your handlebars aren't more than a couple of inches below your saddle,
that shouldn't be a problem. Make sure your saddle is level rather than
tilted up at the nose, and when you're riding remember to stand up
for at least 10 sec or so every 10-15 mins to restore any blood flow
that's been reduced. I've found that saddles which are fine on the road
will cause numbness after about 30 mins on the rollers, where I can't
stand up or move my [censored] around much.

Quoted message said:

One other thing that takes me too long is centering the wheel after I
take it off. Invariably after I first get it back on it slides
against a brake pad. Is there an easy method for reattaching the
wheel, or will I just get better with practice?

The rim should be close enough to centred in the frame when seated
fully in the dropouts that you can adjust the brakes sideways to be centred
around it (a little Allen screw on the top) without trouble, and simply
resting the wheel on the ground before clamping it should work every
time. If the rim is too far off centre, take the bike to a shop.

--
Home page:http://members.westnet.com.au/mvw

Ahh, I hadn't thought of moving the brakes around a little. I just
twiddle with the wheel until it works with the current brake
position. That should make things easier, thanks!

Jorg Lueke said:

The saddle is level and perfect. I suspect the handlebars more because
as I ride past 2 hours I find that my preferred group is closer
towards me in a more upright position.

The problem could be handlebar height or reach. If your bike has a
threadless headset (which most modern bikes do), you may be able to
move spacers from above the stem to below to increase bar height. If
not, you could switch to a stem with more rise. If you feel too
stretched out, you need a stem with less forward extension.

For older style threaded headsets, you could get a taller stem.

For a tall rider, the bars typically would be at least 1 inch below
the saddle height.

Another thing is to make sure the saddle is wide enough to allow your
"sit bones" to support your weight. And make sure you're not sliding
forward onto the narrow part of the saddle. There's also a chance the
saddle is a bit too high.

Experiment or get a fit check at a good bike shop.

Art Harris

I should have added this link:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/handsup.html

Art Harris

Jorg Lueke said:

Today I managed my first ride of some duration a 62 mile (actually 65)
trek. All in all it went pretty well. However, I definitely had some
issues with numbness in a certain area after about 40 miles. I am
fairly sure my handlebars need to come up. The problem is last time I
tried the bike became rather unstable. Now maybe I just didn't center
the stem after the adjustments, so I will try one more time. Another
possibility is that these bars won't go any higher. If not do I need
a new longer stem?

I doubt it's your handlebar position. Like others have said, standing
frequently is really helpful. Moving a bit back on the seat can help
too.

There are other possible remedies. http://www.bicyclinglife.com/PracticalCycling/Sore.htm
lists a lot of them. It's directed more toward soreness, instead of
numbness, but a lot of it applies to both.

- Frank Krygowski

Jorg Lueke wrote:
:: On Apr 30, 9:45 am, The Historian <[email hidden]>
:: wrote:
::: Jorg Lueke wrote:
:::: Today I managed my first ride of some duration a 62 mile (actually
:::: 65) trek. All in all it went pretty well. However, I definitely
:::: had some issues with numbness in a certain area after about 40
:::: miles. I am fairly sure my handlebars need to come up. The
:::: problem is last time I tried the bike became rather unstable. Now
:::: maybe I just didn't center the stem after the adjustments, so I
:::: will try one more time. Another possibility is that these bars
:::: won't go any higher. If not do I need a new longer stem?
:::
::: Possible reasons for numbness:
:::
::: Poor bike fit.
::: Too high a saddle, causing your hips to rock and grinding your, you
::: know, into the saddle nose.
::: Not wearing bike shorts or wearing underwear under bike shorts.
::: Too narrow/too hard/ too soft/ too wide a saddle.
::: Not standing up or shifting from time to time.
:::
::: When I had this happen, it took ten days for feeling to return. I
::: hope you didn't have to wait that long.
::
:: The saddle is level and perfect. I suspect the handlebars more
:: because as I ride past 2 hours I find that my preferred group is
:: closer towards me in a more upright position. But that spot is not
:: really on a good spot on the handlebars, they seem a bit too far
:: away. Since I'm fairly tall the saddle is up a bit and so the
:: differntial may be a bit much. That said, this doesn't bother me
:: for the 20-30 miles I typically have time to bike. Everything
:: became an issue after about mile 40.

Fit issues are more likely to show up as the miles increase! Even problems
with your shoes that weren't evidence at low mileage can show up as you
increase miles. Some issues are a matter of getting your body in condition,
and others have to do with the bike, other equipment and/or technique.

::
:: But, the standing is a good tip as well. I intuited this too late on
:: the ride. Plus, in the city I usually have to get off at stop signs
:: and red lights so that probably helps to obviate the issue as well.
::
:: The feeling is coming back but not 100% yet. My left pinky has that
:: issue as well.
:: I suppose as long as I learn it will be worth the pain, or numbness.

Jorg Lueke said:

The Historian said:

Jorg Lueke said:

Today I managed my first ride of some duration a 62 mile (actually 65)
trek. All in all it went pretty well. However, I definitely had some
issues with numbness in a certain area after about 40 miles. I am
fairly sure my handlebars need to come up. The problem is last time I
tried the bike became rather unstable. Now maybe I just didn't center
the stem after the adjustments, so I will try one more time. Another
possibility is that these bars won't go any higher. If not do I need
a new longer stem?

Possible reasons for numbness:

Poor bike fit.
Too high a saddle, causing your hips to rock and grinding your, you
know, into the saddle nose.
Not wearing bike shorts or wearing underwear under bike shorts.
Too narrow/too hard/ too soft/ too wide a saddle.
Not standing up or shifting from time to time.

When I had this happen, it took ten days for feeling to return. I hope
you didn't have to wait that long.

The saddle is level and perfect. I suspect the handlebars more because
as I ride past 2 hours I find that my preferred group is closer
towards me in a more upright position. But that spot is not really on
a good spot on the handlebars, they seem a bit too far away. Since
I'm fairly tall the saddle is up a bit and so the differntial may be a
bit much. That said, this doesn't bother me for the 20-30 miles I
typically have time to bike. Everything became an issue after about
mile 40.

But, the standing is a good tip as well. I intuited this too late on
the ride. Plus, in the city I usually have to get off at stop signs
and red lights so that probably helps to obviate the issue as well.

The feeling is coming back but not 100% yet. My left pinky has that
issue as well.

My left pinky has had that problem since 1998 when I scrunched my wrist
and the Ulnar nerve. This is a different nerve path than that involved
in Carpal tunnel syndrome and may be affected by the position of your
hands and how much your wrist is bent. I either ride one handed for a
while, sit up and ride no hands, or if other parts are getting numb,
just stopping under a convenient shade tree. Standing helps with those
areas, but I either stand and coast (usually) or shift up and stand and
attack (the flats?). No matter how numb I get, things get back to normal
about 15 minutes after returning home.

Quoted message said:

I suppose as long as I learn it will be worth the pain, or numbness.

Good luck and keep us informed. Any anti-numbness technique that works
will be good news for all. This issue seems to come up more in the
spring so it may be related to getting back to real riding after the
Winter lull.
Bill Baka

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Jorg Lueke said:

Today I managed my first ride of some duration a 62 mile (actually 65)
trek. All in all it went pretty well. However, I definitely had some
issues with numbness in a certain area after about 40 miles. I am
fairly sure my handlebars need to come up. The problem is last time I
tried the bike became rather unstable. Now maybe I just didn't center
the stem after the adjustments, so I will try one more time. Another
possibility is that these bars won't go any higher. If not do I need
a new longer stem?

I doubt it's your handlebar position. Like others have said, standing
frequently is really helpful. Moving a bit back on the seat can help
too.

There are other possible remedies. http://www.bicyclinglife.com/PracticalCycling/Sore.htm
lists a lot of them. It's directed more toward soreness, instead of
numbness, but a lot of it applies to both.

- Frank Krygowski

I just measured the drop between my seat height and the handlebars and
it is almost exactly 3" which isn't too bad for a 63cm frame. I will
stop by the LBS and see what they say but I'm not too optimistic.
Just sitting on it normally, the fit is good in the way the store
measures it. Since it doesn't happen over the 20-30 mile stretch I do
wonder if maybe I will adjust as I get in better riding shape. I
think it's a little tricky getting the fine tuning done.