Pins and Needles

Sailorchick

Went for a little ride on Saturday, only about 11 miles, but since my commute is only 3.5 now was nice to actually ride a little distance. Only thing was I got really annoying pins and needles in my left hand for most of the latter part of the ride. Not sure why. I'm riding a carrera subway and have got gel palm gloves on that I got from Aldi. My commute used to be 5 miles till I moved and never had a problem on that distance.

Other than the pins and needles was a lovely morning ride though. Got myself totally lost at one point and managed to find myself riding through private police training grounds in Hamble. Lots of Alsations being trained in fields. Found the exit before anyone noticed me though One day I'll actually learn my round Southampton.

prawny

When I ride my MTB to work all of my fingers go numb after about 10 miles, I think it's just prolonged pressure on your hands in the same position. Have you got bar ends? It's nice to be able to move your hands around a bit, some will tell you to get a road bike in a minute. The drop bars let you moveyour hands around all the time so no pain or tingles.

Sailorchick

No I haven't got bar ends, just flat handlebars. I was riding along flexing my fingers to try and get rid of the pins and needles but didn't really work.

R_T_A

+1.

It's to do with pressure on the Ulnar nerve, which I used to get when I started doing (slightly) longer distances. I did as Prawny mentions above and it worked for me

prawny

Sailorchick wrote:

No I haven't got bar ends, just flat handlebars. I was riding along flexing my fingers to try and get rid of the pins and needles but didn't really work.

Yeah I tried that it doesn't work you need to relieve the pressure on you palms, bar ends are the cheapest way of doing this, unless your happy riding no handed

Edit;

Another option are the ergon grips, they look weird but spread the weight across more of your palm.

cjcp

If you're putting too much pressure on the palm of your hands, is your bike set up properly or the right-size?

Just wondering if it's worth buying an stem that's angled upwards so you have a more upright position. I used to get the tingles on my road bike or aches in the elbow and shoulder because the bars were too low.

Sailorchick

I've set the bike up myself so it feels comfy. I've kind of based it on my spinning bike settings as this was the first bike I'd had in ages. My saddle is around the same height as my handle bars, maybe slightly higher as I keep putting the saddle up (husband thinks I should be able to reach the floor comfortably, I think I should be comfortable pedalling even if only ballet style tip toes reach the floor). The handlebar is adjustable so will have a play with different settings on that.

Wallace1492

I get numbness and pins and needles a lot when doing more than 5 miles or so, varying grip helps, I got bar ends : http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Cane_ ... 220000162/
and they help a lot, but does not cure totally.

I think it is just something to suffer as a cyclist. I shake my hands every now and then, and that cures it. (not both at the same time!!)

biondino

Sailorchick wrote:

Got myself totally lost at one point and managed to find myself riding through private police training grounds in Hamble. Lots of Alsations being trained in fields.

"Right lads, today we're going to teach Killer, Jaws and Tulip how to apprehend suspects fleeing on two wheels. Our heavily padded stunt office should be along shortly - ah, I think I see her coming..."

CyclingBantam

biondino wrote:

Sailorchick wrote:

Got myself totally lost at one point and managed to find myself riding through private police training grounds in Hamble. Lots of Alsations being trained in fields.

"Right lads, today we're going to teach Killer, Jaws and Tulip how to apprehend suspects fleeing on two wheels. Our heavily padded stunt office should be along shortly - ah, I think I see her coming..."

Very good.