How do I keep my hands from getting numb while out bike riding?

Question

When I am out on my mountain bike for longer rides (10km+) my hands start to get numb and I have to keep changing positions or shake them out. I have cycling gloves already but they don't seem to help. Any advice on how I can avoid this?

Answer 1

10 km is not that long a ride to be suffering such symptoms. It sounds to me like you're putting too much strain on your wrists, pressing on the nerves or cutting off circulation to your hands. Try raising the handlebar a little so that you're sitting more upright with more weight on the saddle and less weight on the bar.

How to raise your handlebar depends on the specifics of your bike. See http://www.sheldonbrown.com/handsup.html .

Answer 2

don't apply to much pressure on your hand. lean back sometimes

Answer 3

Numb hands is a common occurrence with many riders. I loosen the wrist straps when ever I ride. I also reposition my hands throughout the ride. I really don't think the problem lies with the gloves, but more so the amount of weight you are imposing upon your wrist. I always preach a light hand when ever I teach a spin class or ride with rookies. I also utilize my extensions from the get go of any ride.

Answer 4

I don't think cycling gloves protect against the cold, just for comfort. Maybe try actual gloves/mittens?

Answer 5

possibly ur squeezing the handlebars too hard.  if not, you may have a serious problem

Answer 6

errrrr gloves ?

Answer 7

uhh gloves..mittens...

Answer 8

doi gluves

Answer 9

There are a few good answers here but only one or two are really right on. The biggest reason is your not moving your hands around enough. If you are riding a traditional road bike move your hands to the hoods (top of the brake levers) to the drops, then to the back of the bars and sit back and take the weight of your hands. You should be doing this every five to ten minutes or so. Experiment with varios positions and you'll soon find what works for you.   If you think about doing it on a regular schedule it will soon be a habit. I do not recommend aero-drops or "tri-bars" to anyone but experienced riders planning on doing triathlons or time-trials. You don't have the control needed for most urban riding and you're too far from your brakes. If you are riding a mountain bike or a commuter style bike then you can add a set of short bull horn bar ends so you have another position to move your hands to. There are some softer foam grips that you can get as well. You should also consider gloves with gel padding in the palms or having a shop put some soft cork tape or bar tape with gel underneath it on your handlebars.

Lastly, but really the most important, is to make sure your bike is fit you and set up for your style of riding. A poorly fit bike may be stretching you out to much and forcing more weight on your hands than neccessary. A new handlebar stem with more rise and less length might but your best bet.

Answer 10

loosen your grip and lean back a bit

Answer 11

There are normally two reasons for numb hands (three if you count the cold!), vibration coming up through the forks and leaning too heavily on the bars.  

I assume if you have an mtb then you have front suspension so you can count that out unless you have it set up hard.  

If your leaning on the bars too heavily then you need to build up core strength and transfer the weight off your arms.  Don't know what your general fitness is like but the best thing is to do some crunches.

Answer 12

put wrap on your hands then put the gloves on

and dont hold on too tight

Answer 13

You are already doing what I was going to suggest.   I'm a cyclist, too.   What do you do about numb butt?   Same thing:  Change positions and shake it out.

Answer 14

Gel Gloves and CARBON handlebars. Carbon handlebars is the secret.

Answer 15

When your riding your bike move them around at some times