When I ride my hardtail, I get a numb left hand after about an hour. This doesn’t occur on my FS, and not in my right hand when on HT. Bars slightly wider on HT, but if it was that wouldn’t it affect both my hands? Anyone got any ideas why this is and how I can stop it?

Single blokes with good internet connections rarely suffer from this condition. I’m sure one will be along in a moment to explain why.

I guess it could be down to different postures or riding styles on each bike. Bit weird that it’s always on one side.

I’ve heard good things about those Body Geometry gloves by Specialized – from what I understand they’re designed to protect the (ulnar?) nerve which gets squashed by hands on bars. Might be worth trying if you’ve not already.

A more serious response… you could try carbon bars. And squeezing a squash ball in your fist will help your wrist strength.

Try moving seat forward so you are sitting a bit more upright, seat angle can also play a part, as can rotation of bars, try little alterations made one at a time.

are the grips the same size? Couple of mm in grip size can make a huge difference and easy to swap them over to see if it helps.

From a physio POV I would put money on postural related, typically cervical spine or traps related.

saying that, i doubt if you’ll find a soln via the treads (unless very lucky).

you need an experienced physio to have a look, note that I didn’t suggest a bike fitting service. Anyone with gripe about that comment is free to call me on 07719664553 where I’ll provide evidence of their collective inaccuracies.

Good luck with it btw, I hope it resolves.

Oh, couple of q’s

1. How long b4 the symptoms establish, when riding HT?
2. How long does it take to ease/go?
3. Any other positions bring this on (not cycling)?

Could be something as simple as the angle of the brake levers, if they are too flat on the HT that could be putting extra load on the wrist.

NJA, nice one, could be just that…depending on the dermatomal/myotomal pattern…but I’m not convinced unless there’s spacial compromise with the carpul tunnel?

What do you think?

EDIT:

Also would depend as to the severity of the symptom and indeed if there was associated muscle weakness…we don’t know these things yet.

I had problems with numb tingly hands when I first started cycling many years ago – was down to set-up being a bit off on road bike and trapped nerve in my neck, or something. Worth checking out…

Thanks all for interesting answers. Will try tweaks as suggested above. Symptoms start after about one hour, hand goes to sleep as though I’ve been lying on it. I can alleviate that by riding one handed and wiggling hand and fingers about for a while, but then it needs attention every so often once it’s started.

I have shoulder (rotator cuff) trouble also on left side due to a fall last year, had sports massage last week on it, and plan to have more. Perhaps linked to that and exascerbated by handlebars/brake set up on HT….?

lovetubs – no, just cycling! and what do you mean by this?

typically cervical spine or traps related.

I get this on the road bike in a particular position (on the hoods) – I’ve changed the bar tape, put some gel inserts in and rotated the levers slightly and this had lessened the numbness.

you need an experienced physio to have a look

I’d try changing your position first, before spending your hard earned, which would be better spent on shiny bike parts 😉

I don’t suffer from it myself, but the topic comes up quite regularly on the CTC forums and people come up with all sorts of reasons and solutions (most of which are “don’t lean on your hands then”). Might be worth a look though.
For example: http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=53539

“don’t lean on your hands then”

Thereby speaks the unicyclist 😉 Rob I just bought one – saw you on Dartmoor, remember? – thanks for the inspiration 🙂

Will check out that link also.

Ah you see my point re physio?

Anna, you didn’t mention the shoulder aspect…this will change asst because we would have to determine if your previous injury is affecting/producing your present condition.

This is exactly why forum answers from ‘experts’ are gen flawed.

That said, I’m very good at toasting LED drivers 😯

Ok I suffer mostly when my hands are on the hoods on drop bars. My eventual partial solution was to ditch my Specialized BG super pricey gloves. The padding leaves a slot over the nerve. I suppose its meant to be a free space but it was just where I didn’t want it to be. I went to my 1981 classic leather mitts. Much of the problem solved. Double tape has helped as well.
You will be sitting less thyan perfectly symetrically I reckon, if you have other injuries. Bring the bars back a touch might help.

Let me know how you get on over the next couple of days/rides, my number is up there.

Didn’t mention the shoulder before because I didn’t connect the two things til this thread!

I did talk to my Dr about the shoulder, he just said it would get better on its own….17 months later he’s partly right! Will try a different Dr… and look for good local sport masseur. And adjust bars/brake levers! Not at the same time though 🙂

Edit: Thanks love tubs!

(off topic…)

Thereby speaks the unicyclist Rob I just bought one – saw you on Dartmoor, remember? – thanks for the inspiration

Ha – yes I remember, I was keeping quiet about that so as not to direct the wrath of the forum in your direction (they don’t like us you know 😉 ). Good luck with that, have fun 🙂

(resume normal discussion…)

Anna you might benefit from changing your grips – I changed to EZ Grips after generic lock-ons, no fatigue now on a 4 hour ride. Won’t solve the problem but may help the symptoms.

try ergonomics grips. I use them on my long rides.

If it is a nerve thing…..

Is it your whole hand that goes numb?…or could you say it was your little finger and half of your ring finger (ulnar nerve)? or the rest of your hand (median nerve)? Lets just ignore the radial nerve as it only supplies sensation to a very small area of the hand.

Ulnar nerve compression is quite a common thing in cyclists, and I have heard it referred to as “cyclists palsy” LINK

Another vote for the specialised body geometry gloves.I got the cheapest, most basic ones and they helped me with a similar problem. I was also advised to relax and grip less tightly and this seems to help too, if I remember.

Anna,post a pic of the bike so we can see what it looks like.

cheers.