Hands hurting

Michael

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Jan 11, 2012, 1:14:47 PM1/11/12

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On long rides, my hands start hurting quite a bit. I wear a decent pair of padded Bontrager gloves. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Mike

Tad McClellan

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Jan 11, 2012, 5:38:13 PM1/11/12

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Michael <michael...@gmail.com> wrote:

> On long rides, my hands start hurting quite a bit. I wear a decent pair of padded Bontrager gloves. Any other suggestions?

You haven't even told us what type of bike you have...

Do you use drop bars?

Can you use Ergon grips on flat bars?

Have you tried pushing your elbows out rather than leaning straight down.

What form of hurting? Actual pain? Tingling/pins and needles. Something else?

Nobody will be able to help you much when you are withholding so
many important details...

--
Tad McClellan
email: perl -le "print scalar reverse qq/moc.liamg\100cm.j.dat/"
The above message is a Usenet post.
I don't recall having given anyone permission to use it on a Web site.

Mike Jacoubowsky

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Jan 12, 2012, 2:09:22 AM1/12/12

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"Michael" <michael...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:27049173.1918.1326305687507.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@yqkg9...

Use a level and check your seat tilt. If it's even slightly nose-down,
it's pushing you forward, and you're using your hands/arms/shoulders to
push back to maintain position. There are many other possibilities, but
check this one first, since it's easy and responsible for a lot of sore
hands & shoulders.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

Ian Field

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Jan 12, 2012, 11:59:13 AM1/12/12

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"Michael" <michael...@gmail.com> wrote in message
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Get your BG checked - could be T2 diabetes causing bad circulation to the
extremities.

Michael

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Jan 12, 2012, 6:42:17 PM1/12/12

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Thanks, Mike. I did move the nose of my saddle down a bit because of numbness down there. I'll raise it back up and see what happens.

Mike

Mike Jacoubowsky

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Jan 13, 2012, 12:44:48 AM1/13/12

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"Michael" <michael...@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:24170462.1160.1326411737284.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@yqbo42...

> Thanks, Mike. I did move the nose of my saddle down a bit because of
> numbness down there. I'll raise it back up and see what happens.
>
> Mike

Looking forward to hearing the results! In general, if you have to nose
the saddle down for comfort in that area, you may have issues better
addressed with a higher bar position or different saddle. There are
very specific applications where it might make sense to nose the saddle
downward slightly; some tri saddles are designed that way, but in their
case, your arms are resting on the elbow pads so the downward tilt is
actually helping to achieve a more-forward position (good for saving the
hamstrings for running) without undue stress.

Michael

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Jan 13, 2012, 2:28:45 AM1/13/12

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Hey, Mike. I have a Madone 5.2 2006, and it's not 100 percent apparent to me how to raise the handlebars on my bike. Any thoughts? Is this a job for the LBS?

Thanks,

Mike

M5usr

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Jan 13, 2012, 5:44:38 AM1/13/12

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Is it a reason developed condition? or has it hurt since 2006?

Have you ridden long distance before without problems? and just for my
curiosity what is long ? If you ride long distance on cobbles your hands
will hurt, trust me :)

If it is a cold weather issue, Even all mentioned could be the issue ,
have you try to dress a bit warmer on your body ? How is your feet?

hope you can enjoy riding a bike soon again.

Michael

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Jan 13, 2012, 10:50:17 AM1/13/12

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These are good questions. I do have some problems with hand pain when I ride outside, but the problem has increased now that I'm spending a lot of time on my Kreitlers. I tend to pedal and keep my hands on the bars the entire time I ride indoors, and my hands become problems after about an hour. I'm not one of those who can ride without hands on rollers.

Thanks,

Mike

M5usr

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Jan 13, 2012, 2:20:29 PM1/13/12

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I believe anybody in just a fair shape should be able to ride for 1 hour
without noticeable pain (unless you are going for the hour record ;) ,
and since you do it indoor it cannot be related to chill.
I think I would stick to what the other good people already has
suggested . A Doctor check is always a good thing , even for superman.
Since you have no problems with aerodynamics when riding on a roll , you
might be able to twist the handlebar upwards so you get a more upright
position? Actually you might also have to move the brake leavers so you
can get a firm grip. Finally - it is not just because you got yourself a
habit for squeezing the handlebars hard?

Mike Jacoubowsky

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Jan 13, 2012, 11:34:12 PM1/13/12

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"Michael" <michael...@gmail.com> wrote in message

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That bike will have a threadless stem, which can be oriented either "up"
or "down." If it's in the down position, it can be switched and you'll
gain about half an inch, maybe more, in height. A new stem can be
purchased to put your bars pretty much wherever you wish, you just have
to define where that place is. Cost for a stem runs $40-$90 for most
options.

I'd bring the bike in to the shop you got it from; they may be willing
to look at you on the bike and figure out some options. Changing out the
stem is a trivial task.

Ian Field

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Jan 14, 2012, 9:43:23 AM1/14/12

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"M5usr" <in...@ingen.dk> wrote in message
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> On 01/13/2012 04:50 PM, Michael wrote:
>> These are good questions. I do have some problems with hand pain when
>> I ride outside, but the problem has increased now that I'm spending a
>> lot of time on my Kreitlers. I tend to pedal and keep my hands on the
>> bars the entire time I ride indoors, and my hands become problems
>> after about an hour. I'm not one of those who can ride without hands
>> on rollers.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Mike
>
> I believe anybody in just a fair shape should be able to ride for 1 hour
> without noticeable pain (unless you are going for the hour record ;) ,
> and since you do it indoor it cannot be related to chill.
> I think I would stick to what the other good people already has
> suggested . A Doctor check is always a good thing , even for superman.

T2 diabetes certainly shouldn't be discounted out of hand, diabetic
neuropathy usually makes its debut in the feet but if you do a lot of
cycling/walking/excercise that can stimulate circulation in the feet so
neuropathy due to impaired circulation can become apparent in other
extremities first.

Michael

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Jan 14, 2012, 10:31:03 AM1/14/12

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Mike, I dropped the saddle 1 cm, pushed it back 1 cm, and raised the nose. I rode on the rollers for a couple of podcasts fairly comfortably. I may raise the bars a cm too. I think I'll find the magic setup eventually. I appreciate your help!

Mike