Numb hands

[hibiscus09]

When I first bought my Bianchi Eros (my first road bike) in 2003 (I believe), I had terrible problems for a while with base of neck/trap pain -- almost to the point where I couldn't turn my head and hand numbness. I didn't know there were women's specific design bikes at the time and had no idea there was an Eros Donna. So much for doing good research. Anyway, the bike shop was cool about it and switched out the stem and handlebars and the problems went away. I figured that did the trick as I had no problems thereafter and even did an MS150 ride problem free.

Now, I've just began cycling again after a year and a half break to do a bodybuilding/fitness/figure competition and begin graduate school.

I'm having the same issues -- although the neck problem is resolving itself pretty quickly. I don't have new gloves -- am using the old ones -- so, I'm heading out to get new gloves today to see if that helps.

I do move my hands around a lot on the handlebars, relax my shoulders, have a bend in my arms, etc. My hands get so numb it hurts (if that makes sense) and I feel like I can't operate the brakes & gears or feel the bike well when they get that way & it's getting a little scary. So far, I'm able to use the brakes just fine when I need to, so I guess I really can do that -- but it freaks me out and is a real pain anyway.

I'm rambling now. Do ya'll think the new gloves will help? It seems like if the top tube was too long, the condition wouldn't eventually go away?

Any thoughts?

Oh, and I'm 5'4" with a short torso and long arms and legs (for my height). The bike is 51cm and they did do a more indepth fitting when they decided to switch up the handlebars and stem.

[DrBee]

I was having problems with my fingers getting tingly until I was refitted on my bike recently (post-crash and getting new pedals) and I've had no tingling what-so-ever in my fingers. My toes - well, that's another thing all together. Maybe you need bike to be refit to you???

[mimitabby]

This does sound like a serious enough problem that i doubt the gloves are going to change unless you get a couple baseball gloves to wear.
It might be worth it to get a bike fit. Sometimes a professional fitter can set you up in minutes with a few small adjustments and then you are painfree.
Other times (my case) the bike just isn't quite right for you. Since your bike is made for women, hopefully it is just a little thing.
good luck!
keep us posted.

[KnottedYet]

Sounds kind of like thoracic outlet syndrome. Have you seen a doc?

[hibiscus09]

Thanks guys! They did do a fitting -- that's why they changed the handlebars and stem. After that it went away the first time around cycling. I'm hoping this will go away before too long. I'm on vacation through July 5th and if it's still bothering me, I'll visit the shop when I get home.

I haven't been to the doctor because my hands only get numb while on the bike.

I did go by two bike shops here yesterday and neither had small or medium size gloves -- all large and extra large. Dangit!

Thanks for your help!

[Eden]

This may sound silly - but make sure you don't close the velcro on your gloves to tightly. Closing them too tightly is actually easier to do than it sounds, they won't feel uncomfortable to wear, but they will make your fingers go numb. And watch out your hands can swell a little so you may need to let the glove loose a little after you've been riding a while too - especially in hot weather.

[hibiscus09]

Thanks, Eden! It doesn't sound silly. I'm wearing women's medium sized gloves and am a size 2 woman. Even the medium sized gloves feel a little snug and I've wondered at times whether they're cutting off the circulation. However, I tested that theory by going sans gloves for a ride and my hands still got numb.

I'm heading out today on my cycling glove quest again.

[hibiscus09]

Yay -- found new gloves yesterday and they helped greatly preventing hand numbness on this morning's ride.