Numb Hands

[Yammer]

Does anybody else get numb hands mid season?
It seems like during the peak of my riding season (summer), when I am in pretty good shape for riding, my hand feel numb alot.
Like during rides they get tingly, and even just driving a car when my arms are up on the wheel they get tingly...
What's up with that?!

P

[smklugherz]

I would like to know too. I have been noticing on my last half dozen rides, my hands go numb/tingly after about 35 mintues. Usually, I ride leb with x->xx->x out to give you some idea of the distance. I have a pair of padded gloves that I wear and I ride a GF hardtail with a cheap front shock. Now, I am sure it is a combination of the fact that during the middle of the season, my speed and thus vibration increases, but should I be worried that I am causing permanent damage to my hands/wrists/nerves?

[manual63]

Yeah, it does seem fairly common. I wonder if it has to do with warmer weather and maybe how blood flows when you are hot. I am not the one to determine if that is the cause, but it does seem to be related.

I make sure I don't hold on with a death grip, I wear non-padded gloves (the padding makes my hands fall asleep right away), and I have thin grips. Those all seem to help me out. I also take a hand off every once in a while and shake it down along my side. Please don't do this while aiming between trees....:)

[newp]

Try using a lighter grip. When you climb use your legs and not your arms ( I call it finger tip grip). When your going down hill relax your grip as much as you can. Make sure you are hydrated also, I just raced a 76 mile enduro on Sunday and had no problems, and it was only my second time on the mx bike this year. Good luck.

[Shorty]

I make sure I don't hold on with a death grip, I wear non-padded gloves (the padding makes my hands fall asleep right away), and I have thin grips. Those all seem to help me out.

I have had luck with the opposite, but I think it depends on the size of your hands. I ride with padded gloves, and the biggest grips I can find. I personally like Oury grips, and have recently tried Ergon grips (which I am liking so far).

Some cockpit adjustments may help too...

[berrywise]

ya'll got carpal tunnel

[stoneage]

Pretend you are holding an ice cube between your finger and thumb. Too tight and it squirts out; too loose and it falls out. While climbing seated, loop your 1st and 2nd knuckles over the grips and pull down gently. Change position on the bars as much as possible to avoid 'memory' in one position. A static position will definitely cause numbness. BTW, I like to ride without gloves at all, unless it is really muggy, and then it is just for grip, not comfort.
BareKnuckleBrigade (http://www.creepyfriendly.typepad.com/)-Killing dreams since 2006.

[JHM]

I get numb hands too from improper head/neck position. The nerves from your hands travel through your neck and can be pinched due to improper alignment of your head and neck.

When I notice my hand getting numb I move my head/neck to a better position and notice almost immediate relief. You might need to experimment with what is right for you or it might be what the other guys say?

[Paul Swenson]

Does anyone have expirience with Ergon grips?

http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/grips/i/gp1.jpg

[Shorty]

Does anyone have expirience with Ergon grips?

After reading a favorable review in an old Dirt Rag (by a fellow big-hander), I picked up a pair earlier this season... as stated before, I like them so far.

[bakkeb]

ya'll got carpal tunnel

He is right. It's Carpal Tunnel. I've worked construction for over a decade and know the feeling. I too get it when biking and I've tried everything. The only thing that works is quitting my job and changing careers. Since being laid-off since Oct., my hands don't hurt when riding.( actually they go numb when riding Theo. Must be all the turning and needing a tight grip.) Being a teacher is gonna be nice for riding bikes. Really though, its carpal tunnel. The vibrations and the tight grip cause it along with what ever else you do that require those same actions. Typing is really bad as well. when writing papers on the computer I have the same problem.:etard:

[gopherhockey]

I think people just need to practice more, like Chris....

http://www.planetquake.com/sven/images/jack.gif

[Shorty]

Being a teacher is gonna be nice for riding bikes.

Yeah... for a few months at least.

The rest of the year? ...not so much.

[soupboy]

I do. Me likey. For the weight wankers, there is a newer, lighter full-sized version of the original pictured below. I scored two pair NIB on eSlay for $35.
Does anyone have expirience with Ergon grips?

http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/grips/i/gp1.jpg

[Trevize1138]

Gotta admit, my hands are rarely numb. ;)

I think people just need to practice more, like Chris....

http://www.planetquake.com/sven/images/jack.gif

[Paul Swenson]

After reading a favorable review in an old Dirt Rag (by a fellow big-hander), I picked up a pair earlier this season... as stated before, I like them so far.

My bad. I should have looked at your post closer. I saw Oury but missed Ergon.

[Paul Swenson]

Gotta admit, my hands are rarely numb. ;)

But your eye sight is getting worse.;)

[Trevize1138]

But your eye sight is getting worse.;)

Hence the expression in my avatar ...

[Yammer]

If it's carpal tunnel then why am I only affected during the peak of the biking season? Is it that the stresses of biking make it come out more or what?

Is there a doctor in the house?

[Yammer]

From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpal_tunnel_syndrome).


Common activities that have been identified as contributing to repetitive stress induced carpal tunnel syndrome include:

Use of power tools
Construction work such as handling many bricks, stone and/or lumber
Computer keyboarding or typing
Playing video games or computer games for long periods of time
Playing a musical instrument
Cycling (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling), due to pressure and vibration on hands
Crafting, such as knitting (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knitting) or crocheting
Any activity where hand use is vigorous and routine could contribute (surgeons, dentists, World of Warcraft players, excessive masturbation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masturbation)).Often people suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome can have multiple contributing factors which are aggravated by vigorous hand activities and repetitive stress trauma to the hand.
Proper attention to ergonomic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergonomic) considerations can reduce or eliminate these kinds of exposures.

[kabbie_cache]

Is there such a thing as carpal tunnel in the legs ?? Not only do my hands feel like there all tingly but my lower legs do the same thing. I talked to my doc about it and she didnt seem to worried. It happens every time I ride even the short 2 miles to work.

[bakkeb]

Is there such a thing as carpal tunnel in the legs ?? Not only do my hands feel like there all tingly but my lower legs do the same thing. I talked to my doc about it and she didnt seem to worried. It happens every time I ride even the short 2 miles to work.

It could be your back. I have a herniated disc in my lower back which presses on a nerve and still have numbness at times in my one leg even after a couple surgeries.:etard: