Tingling in fingers?

Cianos

Hey,
I've been doing some longish cycles lately (40-75km) as I'm travelling around Europe on the bike. I've noticed after a cycle I'd have a tingling in my finger tips (just my right hand for some reason). It feels a bit like pins and needles. It's not sore or anything, just curious to see if anyone else gets it.
The longer the cycle, the more pronounced it seems to be. It could last for hours after the cycle.

Cheers
Cian

Dirk Gently

are you leaning heavy on the palm of your hands?
If you're not already using them try some padded gloves.
I use fingerless weight lifting gloves with light padding on the palm and am usually much more comfortable using them rathar than without them when cycling any time over an hour.

nochain

i found that mitts with gel inserts were good for this,also i double taped the handle bar..did the trick..reckon you are trapping a nerve due to weight/prolonged positioning so comfort the key..enjoy europe

Cianos

Thanks for the replies. I never notice any discomfort during the cycle itself...ie, I've never once thought while cycling 'hmmm maybe I should get some gloves'. The only time I ever thought of getting gloves was when the tape on the bar got a bit slippy when wet. But I may get some if you think it would help with the tingling. If its not going to have any long term effect though its not that big a deal I guess.

E@gle.

you could also buy handel bar tape that has a gel base, i think specailized do one, cost ya about €20

Victor

The new bike I got (straight handle bars) has gel hand grips.

I think flexing your hands from time to time should help as well - part of the tingling is blood flowing back to the pressured areas.

Quigs Snr

Restricted blood flow. Padded tape (I second e@gle on this one, I found the specialized Phat Wrap very good) and padded gloves as well as changing your hand position at regular intervals will sort that out in no time. People often skimp on gloves, but it is worth getting a decent pair.

Also your bike position may be wrong, you might be too stretched out, or you might be putting too much weight on your hands. A lot of cyclists do this. In theory you should have a strong midsection to take the weight off your arms a bit. Ride with your elbows slightly bent, firm grip but relaxed shoulders etc.. and this could help you out too.

uberwolf

carpal tunnel syndrome is a good bet.

results from the piping carrying your nerves into your hand being pinched from the position you're maintaining with your wrist.

The advice given above will see you through it.

rubadub

Cianos wrote:

I never notice any discomfort during the cycle itself...

That is normal. Pins & needles are from restricted blood flow, so when cycling it is still restricted, like you can sit with a folded leg over the other leg, you feel nothing, take it down and you get pins & needles, put it up again and it can go.

I have a hybrid with bar ends so switch to them a bit. You can loosen the grip from time to time, then flex the hand a lot to circulate the blood.

If it is really annoying/bad then you can make a circle with your other hand and "milk" blood into the tingling fingers, to force blood circulation.

E@gle.

i found a link for the tape that i mentioned before i have this on my winter bike at the moment trying to get it in white for my carbon bike.

http://www.cycleways.com/store/product/18068/Sp.-Bg-Bar-Phat-Tape-Blk/

jaycummins

ye, the pins and needles are from your handlebar pressing against a nerve in the palm of your hand. i had that before but the pins and needles were in my pinky finger and the edge of my palm. buy some gloves and change your hand position on the bars so that you are not putting weight on the part of the palm closest to your wrist. if doesnt work take your right hand off the bars altogether or just take most of the weight off. that shud work