Fingers became very numb on a 50 mile ride on Sunday, so much so that I was having problems changing gear.
Bike position's OK I think, so what's the best quick fix? I've been lent some Ergon grips that I'll try this evening but wonder if my 5+ year old mitts had anything to do with the problem
Mountain bike?
What's the pressure or contact point on your hands? How tightly are you holding on?
I use Specialized BG (or the cheapo Planet X) gloves, Oury grips and (touch wood) the tingly hands are gone........
Di2 group set.
Yes, fatbike with suspension forks.Mountain bike?
What's the pressure or contact point on your hands?
A pair of OnOne grips and some old Specialised mitts. Don't think that I'm putting too much weight on my hands but that probably got worse as I got tired
How tightly are you holding on?
For grim death most of the time 🙂 Seriously not too tightly, it was all pretty non-technical stuff
Try different places to put your hands - Ergon Kork grips, bar ends and tri bars work for long rides.
Before you do all that, I would test a handlebar with a few extra degrees of backsweep - it will let your little fingers relax instantly.
Mitts, as in multi-layer winter things? Are you in the Southern Hemisphere somewhere? Every chance that the different layer bunching up could have a detrimental effect. If you've got anything with a single layer palm (no padding in sight) give them a go and see if it feels better
Before you do all that, I would test a handlebar with a few extra degrees of backsweep - it will let your little fingers relax instantly.
That may be something to do with it. Just switched from Mary bars to El Guapo's because I wanted something wider but they're not as swept back. Ideally I need a wider Mary bar...
Mitts, as in multi-layer winter things?
No just regular fingerless gloves, I've always called them mitts. Probably been getting it worng all the years...
Thicker grips, or thinner, depending which you have right now...
I've had exactly this problem. After every ride over something more bumpy than rough tarmac my fingers were in agony.
I got the Ergon grips and re-positioned my brake levers a bit up and now the pain is a history! I rode with a friend around Quantocks last Monday and after every DH bit he was almost crying due to wrists and arms pain. I did not experience even a tiny bit of pain, honestly!
Di2 group set.
🙂
I had similar pains, so i'm using the Spesh Body geometry gloves with the Ergon GP1's, much better now.
Switched from round neoprene grips to Ergon's (GP3 equivalent) years ago. The flat part tilts upwards to support the heel of the hand while keeping the wrist straight. The stubby bar ends, which can be adjusted independently of the grips, keep hands from slipping off the bars on bumpy terrain without the need for white knuckles and also provide an alternative position to stave off cramp. Wiggle have them on sale just now.
Just ordered the ski bend version (GP5) from my LBS to provide additional alternative positions. 20x heavier than neoprene grips but that don't matter. Bar ends on riser bars are sooo comfy and annoy the fashion police = win win!
There can be lots of reasons for numb or tingly fingers/hands. 50 miles off road is a long way if you're not used to doing this sort of distance, so maybe just an overuse thing? I got this when I did the C2C, it's settled down now
Ergons worked for me, bought them off ton on here as they seem to be something that help or don't .. I'd pay full whack now.