Numb hands

[oyster]

Doesn't seem to matter whether I'm wearing gloves or not, rucksack or not, watch or not - I get a numb feeling in both hands after about 10 mins of cycling on a hybrid and it is only relived if I ride one-handed for 30 seconds or so and let one arm hang vertically down.

What am I doing wrong? Is this common?

[rhinochopig]

It's a sign of low blood flow typically. Causes comprise the following:

• Gripping too tight
• Grips too small - do you have big hands
• Arms locked straight - bars too low for your height
• Cold hands - vaso-constriction
• Vibration + typically a combination of above.

Solutions:

• A set of ergon or Spesh BG grips
• Raise your bars
• Padded gloves - although this is masking the cause typically.

It would be worth adding to your post, your height / frame size / bar and grip type

Edited by rhinochopig on Monday 10th January 15:29

[walm]

I had this until my core strength MTFU-ed.

When you start-out it seems that you will more than likely put too much weight on the bars, which leads to both tingly and painful hands.
Then, your stomach and back muscles start taking more of the upper-body load and the pain stops.

After putting on a few more miles (200-300 perhaps?) it should stop.
Was worse when I switched from a more upright bike for commuting (MTB, which also hurt at the start) to a road bike, but again the problems disappeared after some time in the saddle.

[drfrank]

Hi,

It could be due to compression of the ulnar nerve at Guyon's canal ( just near the wrist) or carpal tunnel syndrome (compression of the median nerve at the wrist).

Which fingers does it affect ?

If it is little & ring fingers then most likely ulnar nerve compression

If it is the other digits then it is more likely to be median nerve compression.

Ulnar nerve compression at the wrist (especially with drop handlebars) is well documented in cyclists.

Try wearing padded gloves (the weight lifting gloves can help apparently)

Drfrank

[rhinochopig]

drfrank said:

Hi,

It could be due to compression of the ulnar nerve at Guyon's canal ( just near the wrist) or carpal tunnel syndrome (compression of the median nerve at the wrist).

Which fingers does it affect ?

If it is little & ring fingers then most likely ulnar nerve compression

If it is the other digits then it is more likely to be median nerve compression.

Ulnar nerve compression at the wrist (especially with drop handlebars) is well documented in cyclists.

Try wearing padded gloves (the weight lifting gloves can help apparently)

Drfrank

Padded gloves simply mask the root cause though. Nerve compression is typically a symptom of a poorly set-up/ill fitting bike.

[LRdriver II]

Do you have flat bars on the bike? many have changed to a riser bar on their MTBs to eliminate that problem. Otherwise all the above advice is a good start.

[drfrank]

rhinochopig said:

drfrank said:

Hi,

It could be due to compression of the ulnar nerve at Guyon's canal ( just near the wrist) or carpal tunnel syndrome (compression of the median nerve at the wrist).

Which fingers does it affect ?

If it is little & ring fingers then most likely ulnar nerve compression

If it is the other digits then it is more likely to be median nerve compression.

Ulnar nerve compression at the wrist (especially with drop handlebars) is well documented in cyclists.

Try wearing padded gloves (the weight lifting gloves can help apparently)

Drfrank

Padded gloves simply mask the root cause though. Nerve compression is typically a symptom of a poorly set-up/ill fitting bike.

I take your point but there are plenty of reports in the medical journals of pro-cyclists having these probs and I would have thought they would have the best set up ? Any repetitive/endurance movement/position can cause nerve compressions, I have no clue whether the perfect bike set-up would prevent this though ( I am a very novice cyclist), I would have thought that if you are on a bike with the hands and wrist in a set position for 100km then even with the best set-up you could still be susceptible to nerve compressions.

[drfrank]

rhinochopig said:

drfrank said:

Hi,

It could be due to compression of the ulnar nerve at Guyon's canal ( just near the wrist) or carpal tunnel syndrome (compression of the median nerve at the wrist).

Which fingers does it affect ?

If it is little & ring fingers then most likely ulnar nerve compression

If it is the other digits then it is more likely to be median nerve compression.

Ulnar nerve compression at the wrist (especially with drop handlebars) is well documented in cyclists.

Try wearing padded gloves (the weight lifting gloves can help apparently)

Drfrank

Padded gloves simply mask the root cause though. Nerve compression is typically a symptom of a poorly set-up/ill fitting bike.

I take your point but there are plenty of reports in the medical journals of pro-cyclists having these probs and I would have thought they would have the best set up ? Any repetitive/endurance movement/position can cause nerve compressions, I have no clue whether the perfect bike set-up would prevent this though ( I am a very novice cyclist), I would have thought that if you are on a bike with the hands and wrist in a set position for 100km then even with the best set-up you could still be susceptible to nerve compressions.

[milu]

I get this too.
Its worse if i cycle in a morning??

Also get it it sometimes when i drive my Z4(high hands) in a morning as opposed to my Touareg(low hands).
Got to be some sort of blood flow/low pressure issue right??

Or im talking tripe!

[rhinochopig]

drfrank said:

rhinochopig said:

drfrank said:

Hi,

It could be due to compression of the ulnar nerve at Guyon's canal ( just near the wrist) or carpal tunnel syndrome (compression of the median nerve at the wrist).

Which fingers does it affect ?

If it is little & ring fingers then most likely ulnar nerve compression

If it is the other digits then it is more likely to be median nerve compression.

Ulnar nerve compression at the wrist (especially with drop handlebars) is well documented in cyclists.

Try wearing padded gloves (the weight lifting gloves can help apparently)

Drfrank

Padded gloves simply mask the root cause though. Nerve compression is typically a symptom of a poorly set-up/ill fitting bike.

I take your point but there are plenty of reports in the medical journals of pro-cyclists having these probs and I would have thought they would have the best set up ? Any repetitive/endurance movement/position can cause nerve compressions, I have no clue whether the perfect bike set-up would prevent this though ( I am a very novice cyclist), I would have thought that if you are on a bike with the hands and wrist in a set position for 100km then even with the best set-up you could still be susceptible to nerve compressions.

Pro-cyclists have their bike set up for bio-mechanical efficiency rather than for ergonomic efficacy though. Us normal cyclists don't require such an extreme riding position where there is a lot of weight through your wrists. You can adopt a more sit-up and beg approach.

A pro cyclist may also suffer nerve problems due to HAV (Hand Arm Vibration) issues as a stiff wheel, very high pressure tire, and carbon forks transmits a lot of vibration into the hands and arms. A stiff race bike makes for a very buzzy ride.

I'm not saying don't buy the gloves, just that the OP should address the root cause factors first rather than the symptomatic ones.

[Beardy10]

I'd agree with having a look at core strength...and flexibility. Too many cyclists ahve their bike set up too agressively and thus take too much weight through their arms....or they just haven't been shown how to ride properly/the bike doesn't fit them.

Your shoulders should not be rounded, your elbows should be bent, you should be bending from your waist with a straight back and your core should be taking a good percentage of your weight. Obviously that's the ideal....anything away from that will cause issues elsewhere. Try and get someone to take a photo of you and have a look at it.