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I just bought my 2012Felt Z6 2 months ago and switched from riding my Bridgestone City Bike for the last 21 years. I am up to 160 miles a week, and 50 mile rides once a week on weekends. About a month ago I developed intermittent numbness in my left hand. About 2 weeks ago I developed weakness in the left hand. My neighbor is a hand surgeon and a bike enthusiast. He noticed the muscle atrophy. I had an EMG yesterday and I have a severe compression neuropathy of the ulnar nerve just above the wrist, not in the palm. I will have MRI of my wrist in two days. For now, no more bike riding for at least 6 weeks. And if I need decompressive surgery (likely, since healing could take 18 months or more without surgery and 4-6 months with), no bike riding for 3 months, at the least. My case is severe, and I have a Z series bike, not the most aggressive setup, and I still have the handlebar spacers, though I did have the shop invert the stem 2 weeks after I purchased the bike. So, I am disappointed that my exuberance for my new bike and the increased mileage (up from 70 miles a week on the old bike) has led to this problem. Just wanted the "Beginners" to know that you can develop severe atrophy and weakness very quickly. Everyone's anatomy is different. Some may be more susceptible to this than others. My right hand is absolutely fine. I have been wearing gel padded gloves and changing hand positions. Just bad luck.
Have fun. I hope I don't have to go a reclining bike. For now, it's back to the elliptical machine. Ride on.
Have fun. I hope I don't have to go a reclining bike. For now, it's back to the elliptical machine. Ride on.