[zed.liang]

hi,

I've just started biking a couple of weeks ago. Have been training by commuting to work (about 13km each way). I found that my palms and fingers have been feeling numb halfway through the ride, is that normal? Seems to me that the downwards pressure I've been putting on the handlebars is causing the numbness. How can i prevent this? I do not grip like crazy, but the riding position puts me naturally in such a position.

Thanks,
Zed

 

[dan0]

you could be puttimg too much weight on your arms, or gripping the bars too tight. Go to a good bike shop and get fitted, you could get a shorter stem, a riser bar or both to get a more upright position, try not to grip so tight

 

[zed.liang]

I know for sure I am not gripping too tight, main pressure area is in the middle of the palm where my hand rests on top of the grips.

My bike (Kona Hoss) already has a riser bar, should I change to a shorter stem? This is my first bike, not sure how well it is fitted for me(lbs wasn't too helpful). I think it's a size 16 and I'm 5'9 with 33inseam. Standover seems good, reach of the handlebars seem comfy too (but then again it's my first bike). Seat height for commuting is all the way up and same height as handlebars, is that ok?

Thanks,
Zed

 

[Udrija]

I bought some troy lee design gloves with a well padded palm area and have got rid of the numbness I was getting in my hands

 

[SPDu4ea]

A 16" bike is probably too small for you. But there are some adjustments to try that can relieve some of the numbness...

Try raising the front of your seat a little. Many beginners like to have the nose of the seat angled down -- it should be parallel with the ground. Also, try installing some thicker grips. I really like the kind with a lobe (serfas and specialized both make one). The lobe fits under the heal of you hand and helps spread your weight over a greater area...

The last thing you can try is adding a set of bar-ends to the bike. Sometimes its helpful just to be able to change the position of your hand...

 

[zed.liang]

Thanks for all the replies...

1) My seat is parallel to the ground, so I guess that should be ok
2) How would I know if the bike is too small for me? Especially since it's my first "real" bike.
3) I'll try out some gloves....will they make such a big difference?

Zed

 

[古強者死神]

Yes gloves can make a major diffrence. I wear mine for grip mostly without them I lose alot of grip esp when I get sweaty, but I also noticed no gloves - sore hands much faster.

I have fox racing full fingers' in black nothing fancy with the gel padding and stuff but great grip.

 

[Udrija]

I'm 6 feet tall, 255pds and I ride an 18 inch bike and when I first started riding I noticed my hands kept going numb. So I researched some gloves and found a nice pair of t.l.d.'s and they have cured my numbness and have given me better grip.These are the ones I purchased: http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/14...es/Troy-Lee-Designs-SE-Full-Finger-Gloves.htm

 

[Maida7]

I'm 5'10" and ride anything from a 18" to a 20" frame. I think 16" is too small.

How long a ride before you go numb? 15 min, 1 hour, 3 hours? What kind of terrain? Smooth road riding or rocky downhill trails where you are braking alot?

How high is your seat? Do you get full extension with your legs when you pedal? Do you think your seat maybe too high?

 

[dan0]

I know for sure I am not gripping too tight, main pressure area is in the middle of the palm where my hand rests on top of the grips.

My bike (Kona Hoss) already has a riser bar, should I change to a shorter stem? This is my first bike, not sure how well it is fitted for me(lbs wasn't too helpful). I think it's a size 16 and I'm 5'9 with 33inseam. Standover seems good, reach of the handlebars seem comfy too (but then again it's my first bike). Seat height for commuting is all the way up and same height as handlebars, is that ok?

Thanks,
Zed

seems ok, you got long legs, when you're seated with one foot all the way down, is there a slight bend at the knee? if so seat height is in range.
with legs that long your upper body is shorter so you may be reaching, do you put alot of weight on your arms while riding? maybe a shorter stem with more rise will help. I like to be kind of balanced between sitting up and leaning forward, if anything, more towards sitting up. that will help you on the trail also(easier to manual and harder to endo)
gloves may help, I tried several before finding the Specialized lightly padded on the heel, some just had way too much padding.
I'm leaning more towards a fitting adjustment. a bigger bike would just make you stretch out more.

 

[zed.liang]

Numbness happens after about 20min on flat road riding (commuting to work). I know 16" sounds small for my height, but like dan0 said, I have a short upper body, which means the reach maybe ok or a little short. My seat is all the way up and my legs are still bent at the lowest point. I find that I am having a lot of pressure on the handlebars, does that mean I should have a higher rise or shorter stem?

I would love to get a fitting adjustment, but there doesn't seem to be any good LBS around.

Question: What is a manual?

Zed

 

[dan0]

Numbness happens after about 20min on flat road riding (commuting to work). I know 16" sounds small for my height, but like dan0 said, I have a short upper body, which means the reach maybe ok or a little short. My seat is all the way up and my legs are still bent at the lowest point. I find that I am having a lot of pressure on the handlebars, does that mean I should have a higher rise or shorter stem?

I would love to get a fitting adjustment, but there doesn't seem to be any good LBS around.

Question: What is a manual?

Zed

instead of guessing at stem size I think Bike Nashbar has an adjustable stem on sale for like $10 I would pick one up and try diff. angles untill you find one that feels right

a manual is a wheelie without pedaling, like if you need to bunny hop over a log you manual until your front wheel is over the log , then hop the back over to follow through, of course you could wheelie over too

How bent are your legs with the seatpost all the way up? you may need a longer post as you should keep 3" or more inside.

 

[zed.liang]

I'm currently on overseas posting in faraway CHINA, no access to a lot of products. The nearest "proper" lbs is a 45min train ride and 30min subway ride away

My stem is at the max up position (based on marking on stem), and I know my knees are a little too bent. I don't think I need a longer stem because I read somewhere that during offroading the seat is usually adjusted lower, is that true?

Zed

 

[dan0]

I'm currently on overseas posting in faraway CHINA, no access to a lot of products. The nearest "proper" lbs is a 45min train ride and 30min subway ride away

My stem is at the max up position (based on marking on stem), and I know my knees are a little too bent. I don't think I need a longer stem because I read somewhere that during offroading the seat is usually adjusted lower, is that true?

Zed

the stem connects the handle bars to the steering post(fork) they come in different lengths and angles
you do lower your seat for drops, knarly downhills, stunts, etc. then you raise it for climbing, flats and pedaling hard. alot of people have knee pain from too low of a seat.
you may need a longer seat post if yours is way up, it depends on how much is left inside the frame, an inch or 2 wont cut it, check with the bike manufacturer for their recomendation. as far as the numbness, I think you need to get the weight off your arms, which means a shorter, higher stem

 

[zed.liang]

Haha, was rushing to reply at work that I got it all mixed up. Yups, I meant the seat post. I know my seat post will be too short for real long distance pedalling, but manageable for what I'm doing now. I found that if I the post couldn't go down much because there is a protrusion in the frame tube for the water bottle frame screw to go in. Is there anyway to remove that?

I'll try a shorter stem, maybe a dh stem?

 

[ridindog]

go test ride an 18 im 5'9' and have a 32" inseam i ride an 18 the 16 makes it where you need the seat further up to fit your legs but that also puts your upper body to far up so you bend over more just give it a shot they will usually let you take a bike out for 20 min hell rent one for the day explain your situation and they will probably waive the rental fee if you buy. my fitst bike was a 17 inch and once i got an 18 it was so much better the right fit gives you more control and more endurance good luck