bikecommuter13

Hi,

I bike commute for 35 to 40 minutes each way on a 8 mile route. For the first year or so, I didn't have any obvious problems on my hands. But now, after about 2 years, it's very obvious. My hands feel a lot of stress and numbness if I don't take one of my hands off the handle bar and relax it or stretch my fingers.

Is my bike a bad fit? Is it too small or too big?

Thanks,

Derek

TriEngineer

unlikely that is a bad bike fit, it wouldn't take two years for problems to manifest itself. could be roads, potholes, non-bike related biomechanical issues (what do you do for living? Carbo-tunnel?)
the only like thing might be bar tape needs to be replaced.

also, any injuries in the last two years.

fietsbob

A FI;FY . "I take one of my hands off the handle bar and relax it or stretch my fingers".

It is a thing I do . too .. @67 & shake it all About.. sung to the tune of 'the Hokey Pokey'

grocery store runs are Bout that, RT 10 mi.

ray.garza

Are you doing anything different like switching from panniers to backpack? Have you gained or loss weight? Any modifications to the bike like a different saddle?

bikecommuter13

I am a programmer. So I do a lot of typing. But I know it's because of the pressure on the handlebar. And I have been using Pannier from day 1. I have a long torso compared to my legs...

Carbonfiberboy 

I think probably your fit. Folks seem to have finally figured out that if you move your saddle back, it takes weight off your hands. Anyway, have a look at this video and see how she balances on her saddle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z04uoO7U_SA
The pedaling stuff is fine too, but it's the positioning that's of interest to you.

fietsbob

+1 a rear ward set back shifts the C Of G back on your saddle and less on your hands , raising your bars may help too..
but maybe heresy if you want to emulate the Go-fast Racer's posture.

maybe the keyboard repetitive Motion causing the injury , not the Bike , but the bike is where you feel It.

wear wrist braces perhaps?

cale

I suffered similarly until I lengthened the stem on a particular bike. The seat was already shoved back. Repetitive stress disorders frequently appear after a period, not right from the start as some posters might suggest when discounting fit issues.

bikecommuter13

OK. Move the seat back or/and get a longer stem. I'll try them out. I heard some said they get professional fitted and they can stay on their bikes comfortably for hours. Does professional fit really make that much of a difference?

cale

You've been riding for a while and you don't have knee soreness, back strain, neck strain.. just the hand issue? I don't think you need a fitting, I think you need to work with a bike shop that will offer a stem and if it doesn't help will take it back or exchange it for a better fit. Take care to not let your knees fall behind the pedal spindle when you push the seat back. You still want to be able to get on top of your stroke.

bikecommuter13

Thanks for the suggestions!

CliffordK

I put winged handlebars on my primary bike, and have really liked them. I find they are much more comfortable and ergonomic than the round bars. Of course, it depends on where you keep your hands.

They come in Aluminum and CF, and a variety of brands.

Right now I have foam on my drops, and nothing on the tops (the flat bars are comfortable).
Fizik makes a 3mm thick bar tape which is also worth considering.

I'm not sure about bike fit. Much of the weight is supposed to be taken up by the torso.

I've always had the bars and seat about level. The first stem that I found that supported the winged bars raised the bar a bit. I now have one that allows a lower bar, but haven't installed it yet.

My velo-cheapo bike has the bars set low and forward. It is taking a bit to get used to, but so far the hands seem comfortable enough, but I haven't put too many miles on it yet.

JohnJ80

Start with proper hand positioning. You have to know where the nerves go in your hand and where to put your weight on your hands. I've had problems with hand numbness for decades - tried everything. Then I simultaneously found this post while I was looking at some hand anatomy pictures. It all clicked, I adjusted my positioning as described and problem completely disappeared. So simple of a solution and so stupid that I didn't think of it earlier.

Basically, you need to put the weight on your hands on the parts that bear the load when you do pushups (the heel of your hand) and on the outside pad of your hand (think "karate chop"). Absolutely do not put any weight between your fingers but especially in the web of your thumb or up the "lifeline" on your palm paying closest attention to the dimple between the pads at the base of your palm.

Try this first, it's easy but does take some practice. If that doesn't work,then start with the other stuff.

J.

fietsbob

I did an outside the Box setup many years ago , when I had a 12 Mile route between 2 towns

the bars moved Higher and closer.. the addition of an aerobar setup for it's forearm pads , took the pressure off My hand grip .


Having access to a Zzipper Thriller Fairing improved the aerodynamics without bending way Over and made the airflow past my ears quieter

So I could hear the Books-on-Tape recordings borrowed from The Library, well, thru my Earbuds.

Then it was just turning the pedals for an Hour . each way.. minimal discomfort.

Now I Dont have a Long commute 10 mile RT to one grocery Box store on the western edge.

Ergon grips on my Folding Bike, rather than round grips , Trekking bars on 2 other ones wrapped twice so fatter.



No Programming or keyboard all day Job to over work those carpal tunnel tendons, either..

Number400

Flat bars? I cannot ride them, even for a few minutes without hand/thumb pain. Converted my flat bar bike to drop bars and zero issues.

cyclintom

There are a couple of reasons for numb hands.

1. You are wearing gloves that are too tight. It's surprising how common this is. Make certain that your gloves do not pinch your wrists or fingers. Also they have to be the correct gloves for the conditions. Cold conditions with summer gloves will guarantee frozen and numb hands.

2. You are putting too much weight on your hands. This is probably your most likely problem. The bike fit has to be correct so that you don't lean too much on your hands but more likely as you've gotten more used to your commute you are riding faster and so leaning harder into the bars and have your palms pressed against the bars. It you are riding a bike with flat bars it could be from bars that are too wide.

3. With experience you don't have as much fear so you're putting your hands on the bar centers instead of on the hoods. As long as you don't have too long a reach this shouldn't present any problems.

But it all boils down to too much weight on the rear of your palms or being too cold.

bikecommuter13

I have flat bars with the twist shifting system. When I go down hill I tend to grab the bars tight to control the bike. I tried to not grab the bars too tight when I can, but it's not easy to do especially when I am in traffic with cars. Anyways, I'll take all suggestions in mind and see if I can alleviate the problem. Thanks to all!