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Does anyone know of anyway to stop hands becoming numb on rides? I have in the past double wrapped bar tape, and added some extra padding.
Was wondering if anyone else does this? or is it indicative of bike geometry not being suitable to my body
Road bike or cx?
Assuming road, then it suggests you have too much weight on your hands, your hands are on an uncomfortable section of the bars or you don't change your hand position enough.
Gel inserts work for me on my CX bike but I've never had an issue on my road bike other than on really long rides.
Higher bars, or a different hand position.
More padding doesn't solve the original problem, merely alleviates it.
eg I find Midges more comfortable than straight bars.
I do it as my hands are getting a bit achy. Age and abuse! Position fine and on the comfy side.
Bear in mind that with padding/gell under your first layer of tape, the tape won't go as far and the 2nd layer will go even less far.
I use the fi'zik gel/ tape on my drop bar bikes and find it works very well - I've ridden (amongst other things) la Marmotte, 3 Peaks and Tour of Flanders...
What you may want to try doing is relaxing your grip a bit as holding on too hard almost guarantees sore hands, arms and shoulders.