Longer rides results in being uncomfortable

[northshore]

Lately I have been doing longer rides to build up my strength, cardio, and just plain having fun. I know for some of you 12-15 miles isn't much on a single ride but I will eventually catch up. How are you folks in the training world resolving issues like tingling hands and saddle soreness?

The details without being too graphic. My left hand always tingles after the 12-13 mile. I wear fairly padded full finger gloves, ODI lockon Ruffian grips, and I generally try not to put a death grip on the grips unless things get nasty on the trail. Heck, I try to switch positions on the top of the bar on flat sections. Same with the seat. It's a WTB Laser V. I've tried adjusting it, adding a slight degree of tilt so as not to kill myself on climbs but man it hurts after awhile. Anything under 10 miles I'm ok. Anything over I feel the pain.

[Pugz]

For tingling hands there was an article in bicycle magazine describing how to help with that, it involved some stretches. I tried the stretches and they seem to work pretty well.

[Draheim18]

I had the same thing but it was my left wrist was getting sore at the end and after my ride, so maybe that is what you are talking about. To fix that, I got one of those wrist balls and just squeezed 25-50 times a couple times a day everyday for awhile to strength my wrist.

As for the saddle, it may be that you just need to get use to it. Other than that, I can't help you with that problem.

[khs_johnnyd]

the wrist soreness could be due to your bar/ shifter set up..... move the shifter and brake in towards the middle of the bar so you can hold the whole grip. also your bar could be laying to far back .... I have worked in the industry for 8yrs and these are things that I have found helped.

[ghixon]

Adjust your bar angle. It sounds like it may be to far back. Check to make sure your bar is centered to the wheel.

As for saddle sores - make sure you have the correct width seat. I had the same basic issue and I found out my seat was too wide. Switched to a narrower seat and all was well after that.

[MotoDave]

The ODI ruffian grips don't have a lot of give, You might try something with a bit more thickness. I am running the LizardSkins lock on grips, and they seem pretty comfy.

I found that shorts with built in lycra&padding help me be much more comfortable on long rides. I really like the Fox Mid Ranger shorts.

[Solo]

JMO, tingling hands is a result of either (or a combination of) decreased circulation or too much pressure on the nerve endings in the outer palm area. Without answering your question with a ton of other questions, I would check overall bike fit - both on the bar/stem and the saddle. You may be putting too much pressure on one or the other.

A good LBS should be able to help you with this including a saddle "fit kit".

Side note, Laser V's are fairly wide and padded as well as are the Ruffian grips. Ironically, you may just have too much padding.

[northshore]

Originally Posted by khs_johnnyd

the wrist soreness could be due to your bar/ shifter set up..... move the shifter and brake in towards the middle of the bar so you can hold the whole grip. also your bar could be laying to far back .... I have worked in the industry for 8yrs and these are things that I have found helped.

That's my next attempt as I noticed I can't wrap my thumb around entirely with the shifter slightly in the way.

Originally Posted by ghixon

Adjust your bar angle. It sounds like it may be to far back. Check to make sure your bar is centered to the wheel.

As for saddle sores - make sure you have the correct width seat. I had the same basic issue and I found out my seat was too wide. Switched to a narrower seat and all was well after that.

I know Rock and Road in Mission has one of those butt bone impression mats in their store to help saddle fitments. I think it's time to go back and seriously look into this.

Originally Posted by MotoDave

The ODI ruffian grips don't have a lot of give, You might try something with a bit more thickness. I am running the LizardSkins lock on grips, and they seem pretty comfy.

I found that shorts with built in lycra&padding help me be much more comfortable on long rides. I really like the Fox Mid Ranger shorts.

Yeah, the ODIs I have are pretty thin. I don't have any shorts with the padding and I was just trying on a pair of those last week. I bet those are comfy.

[khs_johnnyd]

oury grips!!!!!! super cush and cheap!!!!!

[Matt13]

Anyone ever have experience in foot tingling?

My left foot (pinky toe area) always seems to fall asleep on rides.

[khs_johnnyd]

clipless or platform pedals?

[northshore]

Originally Posted by khs_johnnyd

oury grips!!!!!! super cush and cheap!!!!!

I've tried these on my old SS bike and they were too cushy. Something between the Oury and the lock-ons would be best!

[lukewiens]

try ergon grips....also, i use specialized gloves, the body geometry ones with padding.

as for your arse...be patient, saddle comfort also has to do with your body getting used to it over time.

[khs_johnnyd]

try a bmx grip and cut the bottom part of the flang off... BMX riders like a small diamiter grip with cush for most street riders ride with no gloves..... look into that seriously.

[northshore]

Originally Posted by lukewiens

try ergon grips....also, i use specialized gloves, the body geometry ones with padding.

as for your arse...be patient, saddle comfort also has to do with your body getting used to it over time.

I have the Ergons on my SS rigid....I lllooovee those.

[Matt13]

Originally Posted by khs_johnnyd

clipless or platform pedals?

Clipless peds and I wear Oakley lace up shoes.

[khs_johnnyd]

Originally Posted by Matt13

Clipless peds and I wear Oakley lace up shoes.

im almost 99% sure you need to repostion your cleats on your shoes.... your most likely pintching a nerve in your knee or hip or have it set so blood flow is no so good... try turning the cleat to the left a bit and see if it helps... if not turn it to the right... everyone pedals differently.....i had a bad crash and blew my right knee out and when i pedal my bikes my toes point out on my right foot where as my left foot is straight... so play around with it

[Matt13]

Originally Posted by khs_johnnyd

im almost 99% sure you need to repostion your cleats on your shoes.... your most likely pintching a nerve in your knee or hip or have it set so blood flow is no so good... try turning the cleat to the left a bit and see if it helps... if not turn it to the right... everyone pedals differently.....i had a bad crash and blew my right knee out and when i pedal my bikes my toes point out on my right foot where as my left foot is straight... so play around with it

gracias.

[mtnbikej]

Definately get some shorts with a pad/chamois in them.......you will be amazed at how comfortable you will be. Also, be sure to get up out of the saddle on a regular basis......don't just sit on the saddle and pedal for hours on end.....stand up for 30 seconds every 15-20 minutes.

[khs_johnnyd]

true to that