Numbness in my right hand

[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.

[marjoriealice]

Try stretching your arms and chest before and after you ride as well. Stand in a doorway with your hands up above your head on the door frame and lean forward a bit. I think being hunched forward on a bike, at a computer, or anything can cause some impingement in the shoulder area as well.

[jordanjustgo]

Try stretching your arms and chest before and after you ride as well. Stand in a doorway with your hands up above your head on the door frame and lean forward a bit. I think being hunched forward on a bike, at a computer, or anything can cause some impingement in the shoulder area as well.

i will definitely do this before my next ride! thank you!!

[Dogmama]

A couple of things -

Numb hands can mean that you're leaning on them too much. Improve your core strength so that you abdominals & back can help hold you in position. Planks are good for this.

Impingement in your neck can cause numbness in your hands. You mentioned that you ride low & forward. Try straightening up a little. Straining your neck backwards might be aggravating the nerves that are in your hands. It's all connected.

Finally, don't hunch your shoulders towards your ears. When you're riding, try to pull your elbows together. Your shoulders will go down. This was a tip from my physical therapist AFTER I had a cervical fusion because I didn't follow the aforementioned advice ( but I didn't know...)

[FlyingScot]

A couple of things -

Numb hands can mean that you're leaning on them too much. Improve your core strength so that you abdominals & back can help hold you in position. Planks are good for this.

Impingement in your neck can cause numbness in your hands. You mentioned that you ride low & forward. Try straightening up a little. Straining your neck backwards might be aggravating the nerves that are in your hands. It's all connected.

Finally, don't hunch your shoulders towards your ears. When you're riding, try to pull your elbows together. Your shoulders will go down. This was a tip from my physical therapist AFTER I had a cervical fusion because I didn't follow the aforementioned advice ( but I didn't know...)

+1 on this advice. I'm a big huncher even though I have a strong core. My trainer is always hollering at me to "put them in the pocket" when I'm lifting. What she means is to pull my shoulder blades together and down. I have been concentrating on this for weeks (my mantra while I'm riding is "in the pocket, in the pocket") and I must say my form is better and although I still get a little numbness at the end of a long ride it is almost 100% better. I also discovered that if I undo the velcro on the wristband of my gloves it makes a big difference. No more flipper hands

[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

[channlluv]

I often get numb hands just a few miles into a ride, too. It gets so bad that it's hard to work my brakes, nevermind shifting. I try shifting my position frequently, steering with one hand while the other rests for a bit. Twenty miles in I can hardly feel either one. It was the same on my mtb's straight bars, although the extensions helped a bit. I think my problem is my form and not having a strong core.

I wonder if those albatross-style handlebars might be a better choice for me. I've often wished for chopper handlebars - no weight on the hands that way.

Roxy