Arms...

[BarryP]

When riding (road bike), after a while I get slightly numb arms (no matter where I grip on the bars).

My weight leaning forward on my arms is clearly the reason and I've put this down to 'getting used to it' as i'm only a couple of months and about 10 rides into getting back into cycling. Everything about the bike and my riding position feels good, but because of my arms, I find myself fidgeting about and changing the position of my grip, which is annoying.

Is this normal, and in peoples experience, does this get better?

Cheers
Barry

 

[marinyork]

If you have drops it is normal to move positions. You must also learn to relax the arms more, it doesn't help if you're gripping them hard.

 

[Arch]

I tried, but never really got on with drop bars on my tourer. So, there might be an element of getting used to it, but it might never quite work. I think a lot has to do with fit - you might eventually want to try a shorter stem, or to shift your saddle a bit. My tourer is on the edge of large for me, so I needed to reduce the reach and bring them up a bit. I eventually changed to flat bars, and now after a rebuild, I'm trying some moustache bars.

Also, are you wearing padded mitts/gloves? You can also try more cushioned bar tape, or padding under the tape.

I guess I stuck the drop bars out for a year or so, so give it a little time. Shifting your hands about a bit is ok, that's why people use drops or butterfly bars or bar ends, to give different positions..

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Hi Barry,

To be fair, a couple of months does not seem very long to get used to drops.......but clearly this depends upon your mileage in that period.

I'd give it a bit longer before considering your total bike fit. By that I mean if the symptoms do not resolve themselves, then go to a recognized bike fitter, (and be prepared to pay a reasonable sum!) to get properly fitted to your bike.

It may seem extreme in the short term, but if you are to stick with cycling, then you may need expert guidance. I speak with experience.

You could try people like Hewitts, Condor, or another reputable lbs.

 

[accountantpete]

I take it you mean your hands go numb- not your arms?

If the handlebars are too low - so that you are putting a lot of weight on your hands - try raising them. Do you have an A-Head system and if so is the stem one of the reversable types? Turning it upside down will raise the position.

 

[2Loose]

Surely it would be wrists or hands numb if there was too much weight on them, rather than 'arms'. Either way, sounds like a fitting problem - adjustment somewhere necessary.
Bars too low or far forward would be first place to look for me.

 

[Banjo]

When riding (road bike), after a while I get slightly numb arms (no matter where I grip on the bars).

My weight leaning forward on my arms is clearly the reason and I've put this down to 'getting used to it' as i'm only a couple of months and about 10 rides into getting back into cycling. Everything about the bike and my riding position feels good, but because of my arms, I find myself fidgeting about and changing the position of my grip, which is annoying.

Is this normal, and in peoples experience, does this get better?

Cheers
Barry

My bike has flat bars but I still had problems with numb hands for a good few months after I started riding it. My seat is now a bit further forward which seems to have helped but I think its just a case of getting used to it.I also used to get aching shoulders and arm muscles but that seems to have stopped occuring now.I think maybe I am less tense on the bike now now which helps. Good Luck

 

[slowmotion]

I do not ride on drops, but I started riding after a long time on a faintly "sporty" hybrid a few months ago. OK, OK "sporty" will not fit into the frame for some people. For me , my weight was further forward than I was used to in my long-gone youth. My arms , perhaps, were jarred more than they were used to.

A few 10 mile commutes left me with aching arms on both sides, and numb hands as well. A friend suggested track mitts with gel pads on the palms. Two days later, there was no problem. I am not saying that the previous posters are wrong. They know more about drops than I do, but perhaps you might like to try some good padded gloves as a starter?

Respect to all, and good luck.

 

[BarryP]

Thanks for the input guys