[gatorguy]

I think you'll have to concentrate on putting less weight on the hands and keeping your arms slightly bent. When your arms are straight there is no cushion from the road and all the vibration and bumps are absorbed by your shoulders, neck and back - and even your hands. What you'll need for this is strong abs.

Note: I talk like I'm there, but I'm not. I just know what I need to work on, and why.

Bill

[rawhite1969]

same problems here, even after a fitting. plus numbness in my right foot. Had some in the fall when I first started riding, but it seemed to get better over the winter - probably due to the ski gloves and snow boots. is worse now than before.

Trying some road riding on the mountain bike for a while to see if it is simply that my body and the road bike don't mix due to the position of my hands, feet, shoulders, etc.

[Industry_Hack]

Originally Posted by gatorguy

Note: I talk like I'm there, but I'm not. I just know what I need to work on, and why.

Bill

The whole world could use some more core strength.

[chaco24]

I was 21 when I was diagnosed and treated(IE amputation). At first I thought it was a ganglia cyst, but after it was biopsied I was told that it was a malignant tumor, and yes it started as a mass under the skin that I could see and feel.

[funetical]

http://www.twospoke.com/forum/f29/surgery-4197/

We have a pretty awesome surgery thread. You should tell us your story so I'm not all alone.

[photosbymark]

Well my Fugi has 2 sets of brakes on the bars. I know its extra weight, but I like having brakes within easy reach when I have my hands up near the stem. Like you I am almost never in the drops, but I do have 2 hand positions from which I can go back and forth. Have much more of a problem with that on my mountain bike.

Another thing I found is gloves with better padding helps a lot too.

[chaco24]

yeah I've got bar ends and padded gloves, they help a little bit but not enough. I'm thinking that I'm going to have to change handle bars

[BlazingPedals]

+1 to Engyo. Recumbent = no pressure on hands. Bar-end shifters might be easier for you to operate than twist shifters, while thumb shifters would be a Bad Idea. A 'bent with a moderate seat angle will also put your neck in a neutral position. What kind of performance are you looking for?

[chaco24]

I'm using a Trek 7.1 FX as a commuter and I'd just like to make the 11 mile round trip back and forth to work without my hands getting numb. I'm thinking that I'll try an adjustable stem to raise the flat bars up some and if that doesn't help then I will look into changing the handle bars.

[gatorguy]

If your hands are getting numb in 5.5 miles (one way commute), there almost has to be an adjustment issue as you are almost certainly putting too much weight on your hands. Your LBS, if they're any good, should be able to diagnose the problem for you.

Make your adjustments in small increments. Changing your body position to cure one ailment can easily cause another to surface. For example - raising your handlebars will put you in a more upright position and will shift weight to the saddle (plus you will catch more wind). Even a small saddle adjustment, either height, or adjusting the back and forth distance, can make a big difference.

I just made a saddle adjustment on my Roubaix by moving it back about 1/2 inch. It made a difference in my climbing power as well as comfort riding the drops.