Numb hands and sore elbows. What’s going on?

[Alpman]

Hi all. Did my first longish ride on pavement yesterday. Bit of a yawn but obliged in the interest of GF relations. After an hour my fingers started getting numb and my elbows began to ache. I could feel lots of palm pressure with seat set at optimum pedaling height. When I lowered the seat 2-3cm blood began flowing again. What’s up here and any suggestions why it‘s happening and what solutions might be out there? I’m on a L Levo and am 6ft with normal weight and proportions... and was sure until yesterday that this was the right size/geometry for me...

 

[Zimmerframe]

I’m on a L Levo and am 6ft with normal weight and proportions.

For any American's reading this : that translates to he's a really really really skinny dude !

in the interest of GF relations

More stressed than normal ? Not relaxed ?

I think a bike which is correct for you for "riding" isn't necessarily comfortable if you're plodding, not moving about and resorting to leaning on your hands, which would normally be light and you'd be holding yourself more through your core.

 

[wepn]

Yes Dr. Zim may be right, if it was one side it might be something like a TFCC tear like I have atm but both sides sounds like grip pressure possibly? I know foam grips aren't that cool but they could help with pressure & dampening. Worth trying at least. Wrist supports too.

Dropper post position - that is an interesting possibility in terms of blood flow .

 

[Alpman]

OMG that’s too funny. And insightful. A little tension with the GF after blowing what she thinks was an insane wad of cash on the bike- for that money she was disappointed the thing didn’t pedal itself. So yeah, maybe that contributed

 

[davarello]

Definitely do some off road riding before making any changes, but it could be grips that are too small in diameter or bars that are too low (or both). The fact lowering your seat helped suggests the second may be the culprit. I changed my Levo bars to 38mm rise with a degree more backsweep (Deity Blacklabel 800) made all the difference.

 

[Zimmerframe]

"You spent THAT MUCH on THAT STUPID BIKE and now you need to SPEND MORE on different handlebars" .... more tension

So best go for something a bit higher for when there's GF stress ..

 

[Pdoz]

You have a c5/6 canal stenosis that compressed your spinal chord - try increasing boost so you can keep up with her and don't need to tilt your neck back so far to get a good look

 

[Alpman]

OMG I can hear the conversation already. I was already stupid enough to mention that I would love - in the future, maybe, just dreaming now darling - of adding an AXS wireless shifter. That went over like the proverbial lead balloon and almost got me couched for the night.

 

[Alpman]

You have a c5/6 canal stenosis that compressed your spinal chord - try increasing boost so you can keep up with her and don't need to tilt your neck back so far to get a good look

Hmm Interesting. I did have a bad paragliding accident some years back that fractured T3/4/5...

 

[Alpman]

Definitely do some off road riding before making any changes, but it could be grips that are too small in diameter or bars that are too low (or both). The fact lowering your seat helped suggests the second may be the culprit. I changed my Levo bars to 38mm rise with a degree more backsweep (Deity Blacklabel 800) made all the difference.

Going to look into both these options. Had wondered about the option of changing the bars.

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

- Handlebar too wide, or
- Handlebar too low, or
- Handlebar not enough back sweep, or
- All of the above, or none of the above.

 

[Zimmerframe]

OMG I can hear the conversation already. I was already stupid enough to mention that I would love - in the future, maybe, just dreaming now darling - of adding an AXS wireless shifter. That went over like the proverbial lead balloon and almost got me couched for the night.

You should know by now, you need to set things up so she suggests you buy these things ! This might be because you've suggested she gets something nice first... or because you've somehow managed to keep her attention when explaining your problems/desires and she somehow thinks it's a good idea to upgrade .. no one said this was going to be easy !!

 

[Alpman]

You should know by now, you need to set things up so she suggests you buy these things ! This might be because you've suggested she gets something nice first... or because you've somehow managed to keep her attention when explaining your problems/desires and she somehow thinks it's a good idea to upgrade .. no one said this was going to be easy !!

OMG Zframe you are positively evil. Def next level. Thought I was a conniving bugger but realize I’m going to have to up my game...

 

[OldBean]

More sweep and uplift .........thats her Bra and your Bars......

I answer to the cost thing ....."what about that Handbag/Shoes/trainers/jewellery etc.. that cost £$£$£$$££...makes my Bike look cheap." Doesnt resolve anything but makes me feel better.

 

[CjP]

I read the title and thought trying doing it only once or twice a day then I realised he was taking about riding.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Bit of a yawn but obliged in the interest of GF relations. After an hour my fingers started getting numb and my elbows began to ache.

I did the same .. the first part confirmed my best fears

 

[Pdoz]

Hmm Interesting. I did have a bad paragliding accident some years back that fractured T3/4/5...

oh, so it was your ring finger going numb not the index finger? The poor girl thought you were having second thoughts about commitment when it was just you slumping your shoulders ?

 

[Alpman]

LOL. You guys don't take prisoners. Learning curve pretty steep on this forum. I’m gonna need to proof read my submissions twice before posting. Hilarious; glad my numbness providing such a source of mirth this Sunday.

 

[Pdoz]

but obliged in the interest of GF relations. After an hour my fingers started getting numb and ..... was sure until yesterday that this was the right size/geometry for me...

you have no idea how gentle we're being.....

 

[dickandjill]

I use these
Specialized 2019 Contour XC Grips

 

[Alpman]

you have no idea how gentle we're being.....

Yep, I feared as much

 

[CjP]

LOL. You guys don't take prisoners. Learning curve pretty steep on this forum. I’m gonna need to proof read my submissions twice before posting. Hilarious; glad my numbness providing such a source of mirth this Sunday.

The world needs more humour,
now I find a bit of deep heat while your doing it feels great.
Just don’t get it in your eyes.

As for your riding issues...

 

[Pdoz]

Now, in the interest of fuelling meaningful discussion about you relationship issues - was it the middle or outer part of your elbow ? Serious question, it makes the difference between suggesting a big boy bar riser or not trying to reach beyond your ability.

All jokes aside, take notice of what fingers / what part of your elbow and if your wrist went limp, then go have a talk to a physio who rides

 

[Rich-EMTB-UK]

I had similar a few years ago and it was all down to the length of the stem and hence handlebar position. Switched from a 70mm Stem to a 50mm and all was fine. Probably all about reach and elbow position.

 

[Alpman]

I use these
Specialized 2019 Contour XC Grips

Just ordered a pair; great tip, Thanks.

 

[Pdoz]

Just ordered a pair; great tip, Thanks.

so your wrists did go limp? Go talk to a physio

 

[Alpman]

Now, in the interest of fuelling meaningful discussion about you relationship issues - was it the middle or outer part of your elbow ? Serious question, it makes the difference between suggesting a big boy bar riser or not trying to reach beyond your ability.

All jokes aside, take notice of what fingers / what part of your elbow and if your wrist went limp, then go have a talk to a physio who rides

Pain inside of elbow and numbness of thumb and index finger; have an appointment next week for an aviation medical and will discuss it then...

 

[knut7]

Alter riding position? Seat lower and a bit further back to compensate for the lowered seat height. Perhaps... really difficult to say without knowing nothing

 

[Gary]

Strengthen your core

 

[elyhim]

It's your grips. Find grips that have a pattern to break up as it lays against your hands. I use ODI Rogue now but have had the same issue from cheaper grips. I explained the problem to a bike mechanic who gave me the ODI Elites which worked. The pattern helps to not restrict the blood flow.