Numb feet whilst riding........eek!

[letmetalktomark]

Morning All,


Now before everyone jumps in it isn't cold related!

In 2007 I swapped all of my bikes over to running SPD's - A late adopter I know (have been riding over 15 years)

Since then I have had periods when riding of numb feet. From just behind the toes to the tips of my toes. This numbness can last quite a while once off of the bike.

I ride with the same pair of Shimano SPD shoes and three different SPD pedals - Two conventional and one platform - All Shimano.

The numbness seems to happen least whilst riding the platform pedals.

All of my bikes are set up "as they should be" with correct saddle heights and reach (for me anyway ).

Before I go playing with infinite adjustments of the cleats and floats has anyone else experienced such "numbness"?

A suggestion I had had was to change my Shoes. I have quite wide feet and wear the same size riding shoe as I would trainers.

I want to keep the SPD arrangement as prefer the clipped in feeling so no suggestions of reverting to flatties

All help/advice/guidance most appreciated.

Many thanks,

Mark

 

[lewis1641]

i sometimes get some numbness in my big toes after about an hour. i think it is because my shoes are pretty old and there isnt a lot of padding left under the ball of my foot. i have bought some modern shoes but they are lightweight summer ones (doh) so i have yet to try them.

if it only happens with one set of pedals (did i read that right) then i'd be tempted to look at that first rather than shoes.

if they are platform/spd combo then perhaps the spd part is sitting further outboard, putting your feet at a different angle?

have you tried those pedals on a different bike to see if you get the same result?

EDIT: just re read - the platform ones are the better ones, not the worst. still worth trying swappinjg pedals about to see if it is the pedals or the bike set up

 

[legrandefromage]

simply get off and walk around a bit as soon as you feel the effects.

 

[Iwasgoodonce]

Check that the bolts holding the cleats in aren't a fraction too long. I once had a similar experience on the road with some Look cleats. The pressure points numbed my feet. The best way to quickly set your cleats is to sit on a tall stool (bar?) with you legs relaxed and dangling. Usually one or both of your feet point in a direction other than straight forward. Now reposition the cleats so they face forward rather than your toes.

 

[barry2017]

I used to get it all the time, but I haven't ridden clipless for about six years now, and I haven't once had numb feet since. Make of that what you will.

 

[Lysander]

I've found numbness to be caused mostly by shoes- having the front strap too tight. 'Course, if ye loosen it off, ye then feel slacker on the pedal- clips and straps tend to 'hold' the pedal by the toe and the top of the foot, rather than pulling from the ball of the foot.
Unfortunately, it's not really possible to try loads of shoes over miles of riding to see what suits and fits :cry:
Also, my right foot has a slight roll outward since I injured the ligaments more than ten years ago- I used to tighten up the front shoestrap 'cos my foot felt loose due to this, thus causing numbness.

If the effect is less with the platform pedals, then maybe look into pedal systems with bigger cleats than spd's, or even flats with grippy shoes like five-tens.........pain in the arse I know if ye've got all yer bikes set up for spuds.