I work as a courier for a gig work company which involves a lot of cycling (on the ebikes they provide) which is starting to give me problems like carpal tunnel & intense stiffness/muscle tension/loss of mobility around the shoulder.
I'm on a low budget (let's say $50 to start although I could maybe go higher), what's the best way to reduce this, bearing in mind there's a limit to what I'm allowed to do to the bikes. Supervisor says bringing in my own saddle is fine so I'd be v grateful for recommendations on that front, as well as anything I can do to reduce the vibrations going up through my hands.
If it's of any relevance, the bikes in question are old ebikes w/ a front suspension fork (not that it seems to do anything) & straight or in some cases v-shaped handlebars. Airless tires too, which I'm guessing aren't helping.. Thanks in advance comrades
“Some cycling ailments are confined to the elite and some to recreational riders. It is unheard of for me to see [...] our national squads with numb or tingling hands. However, I have seen serious recreational cyclists with quite debilitating hand-nerve injuries referred to me by local doctors.”
A good chunk of the book deals with off-bike stretches and flexing to cut down on injuries too. I've found better off-bike care has helped me a lot, and I know a good number of cyclists who swear by their yoga sessions.
Hope your situation improves!
Edit to add: He also has a few videos on Youtube with advice on improving your fit for comfort and pain relief, which is a cheaper option than the book ;)
¹ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bike-Fit-Optimise-Performance-Avoid...