Pins and needles in my feet!

[Grannygrinder]

On long rides I get pins and needles in my feet after about 1 hour of constant riding. I'm going to change my shoes as they are slightly tight. The strange thing is that the pins and needles go as soon as I get off the bike. So i'm wondering if it could be a circulation thing? Is it feasable that the saddle is cutting the blood supply to my feet? I've altered the riding position slightly, lowered the saddle a smidge and shortened the reach a bit to make it a bit more comfy, and i;m going to try it later. Next plan is super thick padded shorts . Anybody got any other ideas?

 

[barry2017]

I used to get this.
I'm going to get howls of derision now, but mine was greatly improved by going back to flat pedals. I move my feet around on long rides now, only slightly, and it doesn't figure in my life anymore.

 

[Student Bob]

It's a nerve thing. You're probably pinching the sciatic nerve as you sit on the saddle (it travels down your leg into your feet), or compressing a nerve in your foot. Next time it happens you could try standing out of the saddle for a minute or two and see if that eases it, and if it does, it'll be saddle position, and if not, your shoes are too tight!!

For my money, I reckon your shoes are too tight, your feet swell as you ride, and this swelling will compress on the nerves in your feet. But if it does turn out to be your saddle, try tilting it forward a degree or two to get your weight more onto yer ischial tuberosities - the boney bits in yer bum that you sit on.

 

[xizang]

When I used spd's I had the same problem. I went back to flats.
When I tried spd's again I used the Shimano MP66 shoes, no pins and needles. They were so comfy. Had to go back to flats again though as I twisted my knee, non-cycling injury
Going to buy the MP56's for my flats when I get the £'s sorted.

 

[heathy]

I had the same exact problem years ago, on long rides or events i used to get pins and needles and hot spots under the arch of my right foot. It used to get so bad it would ruin my rides.
One day i was in a spesh dealer and told them about this, they said stand on this foot thing, which measured arches, and then sold me a special pair of insoles, turns out we all have different arches/feet and certain people will suffer from this!
Ever since that day i have never had a problem
Hope this helps!

 

[greenstiles]

Move your saddle forward 5mm

 

[mtbfix]

Northwave and Spesh both do alternate insoles to improve foot comfort. I used to get a degree of discomfort around the balls of my feet in my Sidi Dominators so when the time came to bin my Spech BG shoes I robbed the insoles out of them, swapped them for the standard ones in the Sidis and the fit and comfort was improved immediately. Result. The NW insoles are about £25.