Numb fingers

[Trek1500]

I'm new to this forum and don't know if this is the right place for this question, but here goes.

I occasionally experience numbness in my fingers on rides that go longer than an hour. I try shaking my hands and every other thing, but the feeling takes some time to subside. Does anyone else experience this? Are there tips for dealing with it? Thanks for any input.

[Nokomis]

What is your hand position on the handle bars? Do you have any history of wrist or neck issues?

I've struggled with wrist tendonitis for years now, and I can't ride with my hands flat on the top of the bars. (Originally used it as an excuse not to do spinning ~ that didn't last long, and now we're on the road!) I have to ride holding the outside of the bar or in the hoods, so my thumbs are facing up & there is no break in my wrist - just a flat line knuckles to elbow.

Might also have something to do w/ bike fit, reach, etc...

[Sheherazade]

If you are not using gloves, get some! I use Pearl Izumi gel gloves, but in spite of this I've gotten a bit of numbness in my hands the last couple of times out. Each time I experienced it was after being down in the drops for an extended period. When I rode yesterday, I got out of the drops on a couple of downhill jaunts and the numbness went away. I may have to experiment with a different handlebar stem in order to get some of the weight off my hands- not sure about this yet...

wendy

[Geonz]

Numbness is very common. Position (especially being sure to change it) and gloves can both help. I'm grateful I sort of automatically do the right thing, due to those early years learning piano and that typing class ... wrists STRAIGHT, ladies! (Thank you for enduring my attitude, Ms. Zaremba!) Or... explore moustache handlebars... (Rivendell has 'em)

[Trek1500]

Thanks for the feedback.

I don't have any neck or wrist issues but I do spend lots of time with my hands flat on top of the bars. I'll try moving around a bit more tomorrow. I wear the Pearl Izumi gel gloves as well. Interestingly, when I wear a full glove in the winter, the numbness doesn't happen. I can't wear those full gloves in this humidity, though, so I'll experiment with hand positions a bit more and see if that helps.

[Lenusik]

Try some other gloves as well. I wear Adidas gloves and find them more comfortable. Certainly move your hands around a bit as well. Tinglining is similar to cramping. You may need more electrolites especially now, when temperatures are getting higher.