Numb Hands

pdid
pdid Posts: 1,065
edited February 2008 in MTB general
Quite regularly, when getting to the back end of a ride my hands start to go numb. From reading i understand that it is probably due to pressure on the ulnar nerve in my hands.

It happens more in the right rather than the left, and more on downs than ups, probably due to hanging on too tight.

Does anyone else suffer similarly, and if so whats a good way to stop it happening?

Phil

Comments

  • Chaka Ping
    Chaka Ping Posts: 1,451
    I think I know what you mean, but I don't really get this since I got a new bike with carbon bars - so that could be a solution.

    They seem to absorb more of the little vibrations that seem to have the effect you're talking about.
  • IIRC Specialized do a body geometry glove which solves the problem.
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  • I have Specialized Body Geometry Pro gloves and they do really help the problem.
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  • i suffer with this more often than not as you say when going down hill, slightly rough terrain whent he vibrations are coming striaght through the bars,
    suffered a little with it on sunday, not good when your giving it some beens down a rough foot path and your hands start to go numb!

    i am thinking about the carbon bars option to see if it helps eradicate it!
    Timmo.
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  • pdid
    pdid Posts: 1,065
    Chaka Ping wrote:
    I think I know what you mean, but I don't really get this since I got a new bike with carbon bars - so that could be a solution.

    They seem to absorb more of the little vibrations that seem to have the effect you're talking about.

    Aha, i`ve been looking for a good excuse to upgrade :D .

    Thanks for the suggestions RE BG gloves. I do have a pair but they are slightly too small in finger length, when it warms up i`ll cut the fingers off.

    Cheers Phil
  • shin0r
    shin0r Posts: 555
    I really suffer with this - the outside edge of my left hand (and halfway up my arm) goes almost totally numb. Thanks for the heads up on the specialized gloves, I'll give them a go.

    Shi
  • pdid
    pdid Posts: 1,065
    Last time I went my whole right hand went so numb, i couldn`t feel my shifter on the end of my thumb. Definately not good!!!!
  • stumpyjon
    stumpyjon Posts: 4,069
    Specialized also do some special BG grips as well that are larger than normal grips and are shaped to reduce tha fatigue.

    Personally I quite like the idea of having a good reason to upgrade to carbon bars, another one to add to the wishlist :D
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  • The problem could be the bars themselves.

    Different bars have a different amount of sweep on them, thus causing your hands to meet the bar at a different angle. It's only a minimal difference but over a period of time the blood stops flowing to parts of your wrist and they go numb.

    I would also suggest gettting some nice squishy grips. I use the ODI Yeti hardcore grips...
    I'm sure that rattling will go away...

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  • Mog Uk
    Mog Uk Posts: 964
    Get a set of Ergon R1m grips, I use to suffer with pins and needles until I fitted these...

    http://www.ergon-bike.com/en/grips/r1.html
  • I have had similar problem, but also getting sciatica pain in the back of my legs as well. Have had a radical overhaul of the set up of my bike looking at seat post hight, saddle position and handle bar position, and it has made a great deal of difference.

    It may be that your set up of your bike is meaning that you have too much weight on the handle bars/grips.
  • Could it just be that you are gripping too tight? Certainly most sport I've done that needs a prolonged grip - rowing, windsurfing etc - it's all about wrapping your hand around the bar but not gripping tight.

    I ride fast singletrack and downhill, actually, whenever I'm out of the saddle and not pedalling, with my hands forming a ring loosely around the grips, maybe a quarter or half inch larger in diameter than the grip. This means that I have plenty of control, but it allows the handlebars to buzz and vibrate without transmitting to my hands.
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  • pdid
    pdid Posts: 1,065
    Thanks for the advice, think some new grips are the way forward. Then upgrade to carbon bars when budget allows.

    Phil
  • pete236
    pete236 Posts: 204
    Just a quick think - how tight do you do the velcro strap (if you have it!) on your gloves? I ride motorbike trials and my wrists and hands used to ache and go numb from having my gloves done up too tight. Might not help at all with the feelings you are getting but might be worth a try!
    Have a little fiddle with the positions of your levers and shifters. Mark where they are now and then experiment a little - and try the same with the seatpost. If it was a little lower then there might be less weight on your hands!
    Or, just use this as an excuse to upgrade :P

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