Numb Hand - hood position?

[SquareDaff]

Had been suffering from numb hands whilst riding long distances. I assumed this was down to gloves (my old ones were quite worn) and replaced them.

Problem solved on the right hand - however I'm still getting a numb sensation in the left hand. Had a look at my hand positioning and the left hood appears to be about 5-10mm lower than the right hood. Is this the likely cause?

I just don't want to go making random changes to the bike cockpit if someone already has experience of this and can advise me better.

 

[MrGrumpy]

funnily enough my right hand goes numb often, usually in the morning only, strange. Happens on both bikes, hoods look level but maybe its arm length , quite possible one arm is slightly longer?? Are your left or right handed? I'm right handed and wondered if it was just due to gripping more strongly on that side?

 

[SquareDaff]

Right handed. I had wondered about grip too - and have made a concious effort to keep relaxed but it doesn't help. Noticed the hoods on the commute in this morning. Checked after about 15 miles or so, so that I'd settled into position. I was wondering if the slightly lower position of the left hood was allowing some part of the brake lever to "restrict" a blood vessel between the thumb and forefinger (even through the hood and glove). Will admit to guessing though. No scientific proof for this other than observation.

 

[accountantpete]

It's often the pressure on the palm of the the hand that causes numbness. Riding using just the finger and thumb will tend to get the feeling back.

 

[SquareDaff]

Something for me to try - thanks.

 

[Rob3rt]

Right handed. I had wondered about grip too - and have made a concious effort to keep relaxed but it doesn't help. Noticed the hoods on the commute in this morning. Checked after about 15 miles or so, so that I'd settled into position. I was wondering if the slightly lower position of the left hood was allowing some part of the brake lever to "restrict" a blood vessel between the thumb and forefinger (even through the hood and glove). Will admit to guessing though. No scientific proof for this other than observation.

It is possible. This will be skewing your whole upper body changing the your weight distribution as well as how you hold the bar. Level them up.

For a very dramatic example, try riding about with one hand on the hood and the other on the drop!

It doesn't take much to cause issues like those you have been experiencing and a cm is plenty.

 

[numbnuts]

Maybe if you raised your bars up could help as you will have less weight carried on your hands

 

[SquareDaff]

Maybe if you raised your bars up could help as you will have less weight carried on your hands

Had considered this too re: weight distribution. If I'd still been getting numbness (forgive the partial pun) in both hands then it would have probably been the 1st thing I'd try.

 

[SquareDaff]

It is possible. This will be skewing your whole upper body changing the your weight distribution as well as how you hold the bar. Level them up.

For a very dramatic example, try riding about with one hand on the hood and the other on the drop!

It doesn't take much to cause issues like those you have been experiencing and a cm is plenty.

Will give it a go - hopefully it's as simple as that.

 

[SquareDaff]

Thanks for advice folks - in the end made 3 minor adjustments to the "cockpit". 1) Noticed the bar/wheel alighment was slightly off centre and corrected it. 2) Adjusted the brake levers so they were level and 3) noticed my seat was a little aligned to the right. Centred it.

Ride in this morning was numb hand free.

 

[MrGrumpy]

hmm might go check both my bikes out..