sore thumbs and wrists

[dobedobedo]

Hello there,
I'm a new cyclist and have a new bike (Specialized Dolce Elite). I only began cycling one month ago, after serveral years of spinning classes. My longest rides are only 35 miles so far, and I would ride farther (my legs are strong from spinning, I guess), but my thumbs and hands get too tired from shifting and breaking. In fact, this is the only pain or discomfort I've experienced on the bike.
I'm wondering if this is common and temporary (until I build more upper body strength) or if I should invest in better shock absorbing gloves?

Anyone else experiences this?

Thanks!

[mimitabby]

it's common and it isn't temporary unless the pain is from not fitting the bike properly.
a lot of us have hand and wrist pain, and it comes from gripping those brakes.
more people will answer this.

[RolliePollie]

I started riding this past February and experienced pretty severe thumb pain and some wrist pain too. My thumbs were aching most of the time and they were kind of weak...like if I tried to pick up something heavy, it felt like my thumbs would go limp. BUT, the good news is, this has gotten a lot better as I've been riding more. I still have a little thumb/wrist pain but only after 30 miles or so. And it goes away when I'm done riding. Also, I'm on my 3rd pair of gloves. My first pair was too big and didn't have enough padding. My second pair was too tight and had too much padding. Now I've found a pair that's just right. So you may want to check out some different gloves.

Hopefully your thumb and wrist pain will subside at least somewhat. I was getting really worried about it, and then it got better. I hope it's the same for you!

[Whip]

I had the same problem when I started riding. I'm sure the other ladies are right that it does go away with time, but I had to adjust my bike fit so that my weight was not so forward on the bars. That got rid of it completely and I still had a good position.

Also, Specialized makes a women's glove that is very good for nerve pain in the hands - it's one of the ones from their ergonomic line.

I've tried Trek, Pearl Izumi and others and the Specialized has been the best and lasted the longest.

[RoadRaven]

Yup... pretty common place.

Try to relax your hands a little, and not grip the bars too tight.
As you get used to downhills you'll find you sit on the brakes less and that will help too.

The thing is, you are asking your hands to do something new, and until they get used to it, like any other muscles they are gonna feel sore, tired and worked-over.

Give it time and it should get better.

[batsheva]

yes - i started riding 3 weeks ago and have had no pain anywhere except sore thumbs - despite quite long rides for a beginner-- it's how i rest on the hoods, with just my thumbs hooked over them-- even with the shimano short reach brake/shifters and maximum of the little buffers in them, i have to wear gloves to make my hand 'bigger' so i can be on the hoods and still change or brake (this sounds dumb but it works in practice), resulting in only my thumbs effectively being on the hoods-- think i am stuck with this though as the bike shifters are on max looseness, max buffer-plugs and are the small shimanos anyway... unless i change to a kiddie bike!! :-)

if that is my worst problem i ever get on the bike physically, i will be very pleased!!

[michelem]

I'm assuming your bike has Shimano shifters/brake levers. I've noticed the same thing on the longer test rides I've done on bikes that have Shimano - mainly thumb pain. However, last week I got to experience riding a bike with Campy components. While I did not like the shifting itself (very herky-jerky, but I think that is because I had the lowest end components - Mirage; although I've read that Campy needs to be "broken in" to get rid of that stiff, notchy shifting, and I was riding a brand new bike so maybe that was it), I had no hand/thumb/wrist pain. Campy doesn't have that big ol' brake hood bump that Shimano has - better for my smaller hands, methinks. But, what do I know! I'm still a newbie. Maybe SadieKatie can join in on the Shimano v. Campy debate - I know she has some opinions!

[RolliePollie]

yes - i started riding 3 weeks ago and have had no pain anywhere except sore thumbs - despite quite long rides for a beginner-- it's how i rest on the hoods, with just my thumbs hooked over them....

Batsheva - I bet as you get more comfortable with your bike and with riding in general, you will find that you can change your hand position more often. I know that helps me when my hands start to hurt. When I first started riding, I always had my hands near the hoods so I could reach the brakes. Now I ride with my hands all over the place on the bars. I've found that I don't use my brakes much unless I'm coming to an intersection or a sharp turn. I'm always alert and ready to move my hands to the brakes with a second's notice, but a lot of the time I've got my hands elsewhere on the bars.

[JanB]

I also have had sore, cracking thumbs that ache but, like everyone says, it does get better with more time on the bike. I also ride a Specialized and one thing that did help me was that my lbs put a $15.00 shim in the brake lever so I wouldn't have to stretch my hand out so far to hit the brakes. The shim shortens the reach, bringing the lever in closer. Hope that makes sense but your lbs should know about these.

[dobedobedo]

It is comforting to know that this is a common problem. One thing I should have mentioned: I just had my bike fitting last week and the bars were dropped down quite a bit. Combined with being new to the open road, and the new position on the bike, and new to shifting, my poor little thumbs are maxed out. I will try to vary my hand position and that will help -- I'm still one of those newbies who is always ready to brake. I did get the little extension thingy put in the brake levers to make them easier to reach, but my hands are super tiny. I guess I'll just have to get used to it by riding, riding, riding.

[batsheva]

yeah - i got the biggest size shims in the short reach brake/shifters already - i just need to toughen up, huh?? :-)

[KnottedYet]

One thing I should have mentioned: I just had my bike fitting last week and the bars were dropped down quite a bit.

Maybe the bars are a bit too low, so you are holding too much body weight on your hands?

My drop bars are even with or slightly higher than my saddles. Everyone has their own magic bar height, so don't be afraid to change the way your shop set you up if it's uncomfortable.

[galaxygirl]

Hey! I'm back to riding after about an 8 year break, and on my old bike, my hands used to bug me all the time. My wrists used to hurt and my thumbs went numb! But I haven't had that problem at all on my new bike. I think there are a couple of reasons. One, when I had the bike fit, I got a new "stem" for the handlebars that put them at a better angle...closer to my body to balance out my weight on the bike. Two, I bought "gel" biking gloves. They are amazingly good to my hands.

I used to have a sore butt too, but the new bike has a great seat.

I love my new bike... Good luck on yours!

[SouthernBelle]

What size bars are you riding? If your bars are too wide this could be the problem.