Hand pain and numbness is NOT a normal part of cycling discomfort. Both are symptoms of a poor bike position and are often related to excessive hand compression / pressure on the handlebars. Fortunately, hand pain and numbness can be easily alleviated with simple bike adjustments. Finger numbness that lasts AFTER riding is a symptom of nerve compression and needs to be addressed ASAP to avoid further injury to the nerve being compressed. The longer a nerve is compressed, the longer it will take to heal...and nerves heal really slow!
Common sources of excessive hand compression with drop bar bikes include:
Saddle Height
High relative to the handlebars and rider flexibility
Saddle Tilt
Nose up (Ouch!)
Nose down
Handlebars
Handlebar height too low compared to saddle height and rider functional core strength
Up or down roll position of the handlebars
Handlebars width is too wide in proportion to riders shoulder width
Inability to reach drops
Limited use of drop bar position due to flexibility, functional core strength, rider confidence in drop bar position
Poor shifter / brifter / brake lever positioning
Ergonomic and natural reach and access to hoods and levers
Some integrated shifters can be further adjusted to optimize brake lever reach for smaller hands
Rider Shoulder, Wrist and Hand flexibility
Finger extension and forearm/wrist rotation demands for the drop bar bike are the opposite of computer/smart phone postures.
Rider overall flexibility and core strength
Limited hamstring flexibility often means less hip flexion and more shoulder reach compensation to reach handlebars
Functional core strength in proportion to ride length / endurance and demands.
A medical bike position professional can help you with reducing excessive hand compression through bike positioning.