I switched over to these risers because of the same issue on the metropolis mustache bars. The risers put me a bit more upright, but during my commute of 8 hilly miles I’m still experiencing numbness in my fingers. Any advice? I can provide more pictures if needed. I’m 5’ 11” with a 30” inseam
by Xtianworks
8 Comments
Chances are it’s because you have too much “upsweep”. Rotate your bars back so that the handlebar is flat.
Truth be told, “upsweep” is a pretty ridiculous concept, and I have no idea why brands incorporate it into their designs. On bars like that you typically want them flat. On Rivendell-esque swept back bars you generally want the ends pointed down a little bit.
More core muscle strength means you can support less of your bodyweight on your hands. So, off bike crunches and supermans. Look up a bodyweight exercise chart for what supermans are.
Your reach might be further out than you think, placing a lot of weight on your hands. Maybe a shorter stem.
Also as said here, core strength. I had a similar issue a while back but focused on core exercises since then and the problem diminished.
Guyon’s canal entrapment
https://preview.redd.it/62pxe31ho0ce1.jpeg?width=400&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fdb7734b45409f4dd8de66598ccf4b670f264ccf
[https://lambertiphysiotherapy.co.za/handlebar-palsy-cyclists-palsy/](https://lambertiphysiotherapy.co.za/handlebar-palsy-cyclists-palsy/)
Consider Ergon Grips
I’m also 5’11 a with a 30″ inseam….all torso, lol. I’m at the point now where my wrists hurt and my fingers go numb on any flat bars after a while so I ride a drop bar MTB and gravel bikes basically full time. Being able to change hand positions with drop bars saves me.
Anatomically, More backsweep will bring the bar closer to perpendicular to the direction the forearm is in, de-stressing the ulnar half of the wrist.
I had this too on a flat bar commuter bike and solved it with inner bar ends, not sure if that’s the best name but it works well and puts almost all the stress on my thumb and first two fingers. I can also slide back to the flat section if needed, which I like. I’m 5’5, 30″ inseam, though, so very different reach compared to you.
Try gloves.