Numbness in my right hand

[jordanjustgo]

alas, i do not wear gloves while i ride :\ i was waiting until i did longer, more intensive rides before buying a pair...

[Ered_Lithui]

In that case, get some gloves! 25 miles is plenty far enough for nerves to get aggravated. (I can't ride gloveless more than five miles without getting that tingling/numbness.) A good pair of gloves will probably make a big difference. You could try a glove with a split along the palm where the ulnar nerve runs. They don't necessarily need a lot of padding, just enough on either side so that pressure on the nerve is reduced. Or the split may not be important in your case (my best gloves are simply lightly padded all across).

[Catrin]

alas, i do not wear gloves while i ride :\ i was waiting until i did longer, more intensive rides before buying a pair...

Gloves, gloves, gloves, get gloves They are also important in heloing to protect the skin on your hands from getting torn up should you have a spill.

I ride 2-inch riser bars on both of my road bikes, and also use Ergon Grips (these rock). You may not need 2-inch risers, but they are more comfortable than true flat bars. The Ergon grips are an inexpensive way to make your hands more comfortable - but you do still need gloves I have the Ergon GS3 on my mountain bike (they were for another bike but don't work with my grip shifters). The bar ends are adjustable, soft, and gives more hand positions. Here is a version without the bar end.

They make a real difference.

[pll]

The bar ends are nice, I must say. When I had a mountain bike, I put some Ergon grips with the bar ends and was skeptical. They are very comfortable, it gives a nice alternative to grab the handlebar.

Gloves help, but so does having a strong core, so you are not putting the weight on your arms. Have the bike shop check the width of your bars. They tend to be too wide for many women (relative to your shoulders) and that causes aches and pains.

[Dr.Doo]

Thanks for starting this thread jordanjustgo. I too did 25miles yesterday (wooohoooo for us!! ) and as well as a numb bum ended up a sore right hand and arm. I did try and focus on 'form' and keeping my arms relaxed and slightly bent but still the soreness happened, maybe it's a 'noob' thang. I have straight riser bars and ergonomic grips but will look into bar ends and new gloves.

[Catrin]

Frankly I wasn't sure the bad ends would work for my mountain bike. I have found on my (so far) one trail ride that the size and curve of these particular grips with integrated bar ends took away much of my fear when I got close to trees as I went around roots. I really wish they would work with my x0 grips on my Gunnar though. The bar ends are helpful, especially if you have any had problems. Core strength is good as well, but with arthritis they are heaven-sent.

[pll]

@Catrin: Ergon makes grips for "twist shifter". Models are GC2 and GR2.

[Sky King]

Have you thought about changing your handlebars to a swept back more ergonomic bar, perhaps a albatross - the nitto or the soma oxford, would not require changing your shifters or brakes.

[Catrin]

@Catrin: Ergon makes grips for "twist shifter". Models are GC2 and GR2.

Yes they do, but the bar ends are MUCH too short for my taste and I've small hands! So I have their regular grips with Titec L-bend bar ends and bar tape on my Gunnar and LHT. I would prefer their GC3, but that's life. I did think about cutting off part of the GC3 grips to make them work with my grip shifters, but I've been told there is no way to avoid them looking bad. I don't want to ruin Plum Blossom's svelte looks with ugly grips

[jordanjustgo]

Thanks for starting this thread jordanjustgo. I too did 25miles yesterday (wooohoooo for us!! )

CONGRATS! on your 25miles very exciting indeed... I'm still recovering from mine haha. only managed a 5.5mile yesterday and a 14mile today... getting thereee.

Thank you for all the advice. i will certainly go in search of a pair of gloves for future rides... and i do want to switch out my bars. I'm just trying to pace myself with bike purchases. I want to switch out my platform pedals to clipless... and i really cant afford to do pedals, shoes, bars, shifters etc etc... all at once. I'm still just a poor working girl and all :P

[chryss]

alas, i do not wear gloves while i ride :\ i was waiting until i did longer, more intensive rides before buying a pair...

I'd rather ride without a helmet than without gloves.

[jordanjustgo]

I'd rather ride without a helmet than without gloves.

Ha, I took a spill 2 weeks ago thanks to a truck unwilling to share the road... believe me, with my road rash and such... I'm happy with the helmet. I'll still invest in gloves... but I wouldn't give up my helmet for nothin' :P

[KatzPajamas]

I have this pair of Pearl Izumi gloves that I bought shortly after I began riding. I wasn't even going to buy gloves as I have never been a glove person. But I stumbled upon a review of them that stated that the reviewer had fallen off her bike with these on. The gloves were almost totally undamaged as were her hands! After dealing with scabs on my knees for several weeks, I thought that gloves to prevent ripped up hands was a wise choice. I had been having sore hands after a long ride too. First ride that I wore these, I didn't even notice that they were on, they are not too hot, my hands had weren't sore afterward either.

Tried unsuccessfully to post a picture of them so here is a link...
http://www.pearlizumi.com/publish/co...Code-8602.html