Hand numbness help???

Hi Andy,

The pins and needles sound like the start of ulnar nerve compression maybe. Usually down to putting too much weight onto the palms/thumb area of the hand or having gloves where the gel inserts push into this area (the opposite to what the gel is meant to do!) and compress the ulnar nerve.

Do you get any pins and needles in the elbow or shoulder too?

I had this to during touring to the extent that after 2 weeks of riding I couldn't use 2 fingers and my thumb on my right hand. Took about 4 months (of non-use and physio) to get about 95% of my dexterity back again, so it's good to sort it out sooner rather than later!

Shorter stem would make you more upright and take pressure off the wrists, but it might be the bike is too big, too much saddle layback, etc. Can be alot of things! Think mine was down to the join between the bar ends and grips. Not sure if riding style has an impact, holding the bars too tight, etc -- any experts about???

(not an expert, just my experience)

Paul

try softer grips.. or those ergonomic jobbies..

I started to get this when i changed to my stumpy, a mate suggested rotating the bars so they lean back slightly. (i have riser bars)

and this help a treat, i was placing too much pressure on my hands in the position they were in

Worth a try

You aint got your gloves too tight have you? Could be something that simple.

I have used the Ergon GX1 and really got on well with them. They're the original and best brand. I didn't have any problems sliding around on them, in fact I found the performance of the bike spot on with these grips and increasing in some instances. I've a new bike now and will be going back to the GX1 asap. They're so much more comfortable and I believe they're better. I can't wait, where's my bank card?

I have the pins and needles in both hands terrible today after an event at the w'end

According to the (doctor) wife, it's probably related to bruising of the nerves in your hands. Interestingly (which I didn't know!), you have two sets, split between your four fingers (which is why you generally have it in either the inner or outer pairs of fingers)

I have had the same setup (bike, gloves etc) for ages... but have been doing a lot less MTBing as of late... (more road)... so now wondering whether the muscles around you hands get stronger and protect these areas the more you ride.

Personally I think my seat needs to go back a bit, as I can feel myself sitting to far back on the back of the saddle, which I would assume would mean it would be worse.

One thing that I did do was ride with more air in the tyres as it was nice and dry, but on hindsight they had too much air. I also at the 3/4 stage switched the rear end to being 'fully open' rather than 'Pro Pedal' which improved things no end.

I guess it depends on how rough the terrain is; your bike setup; your gear (gloves etc) and how used to the impact you are. In my last event... I used a 'Gripmaster' to get a bit more strength in my hands... which I wish I'd done this time around.

Not sure if this helps or not... as reading it again - sounds like a bit of a moan from me lol

Cor, a lot of replies from my opening post! It's a year on from my problem and I'm still down to about 90% efficiency in the thumb and couple fingers. Not so bad but I occasionally drop things.

I actually had ergo grips when the problem developed. I put the real reason down to using bar ends too much. I was doing a lot of climbing out of the saddle on the bar ends, and through experimentation I noticed that while the pads help when on the cross part of the bar, it doesn't help at all on the bar ends and I was just rubbing the ulnar nerve directly onto the bar. Doh. Next time I'll put some roadie handlebar tape on the bar ends I think.

Oh and if you put the saddle back I think you'll just put more weight on the hands. Generally the more upright you are the less pressure there is on the wrist.

I had so much hand pain when I firdt got my STP (another giant) the stock grips were too skinny, some ODI rogues later an no hand pain in over a year (single speeded over winter with stupid milage).