I've been experiencing numbness in my left foot, primarily on the big toe. I've tried moving the clips down as far as they go, but still no help. Any other adjustments that would help?
Thanks
Thanks
Yes, I meant the cleats. And, it's only while riding over a couple hours.Do you experience the numbness when you are off the bike? If so, see a doctor.
When you are referring to "clips" do you mean toe clip/straps or the cleats bolted to the bottom of your cycling shoes?
If it's bike related only, try...in no particular order...loosening the straps/laces of your shoes, wider shoes with a wider toe box, lowering the saddle just a little, see a shop that does bike/shoe fitting.
How do your shoes fit? Is the fit the same for each foot, or are they tighter or looser on one foot? What brand are they? How old are you? Did you change brands or pedals or cleats when the numbness started, has it always been there, or did it seemingly come up from out of the blue?I've been experiencing numbness in my left foot, primarily on the big toe. I've tried moving the clips down as far as they go, but still no help. Any other adjustments that would help?
Thanks
All good questions. Shoes fit well. I do have one foot larger that the other. The numbness started after a fitting. He raised the saddle about 4 mm's. I did lower it a couple mm's. Should this help?How do your shoes fit? Is the fit the same for each foot, or are they tighter or looser on one foot? What brand are they? How old are you? Did you change brands or pedals or cleats when the numbness started, has it always been there, or did it seemingly come up from out of the blue?
Foot problems are complicated. Sometimes you can adjust your way through them and sometimes it takes a doctor.
Will do. It seems kind of like there is a type of "bunching up" right below my toes, but when I check, there is nothing. I did recently have a fitting and my cleats were moved and he raised my saddle?1. This is almost always from improperly fitting shoes. The best shoes unfortunately are usually the most expensive (Sidi) but Lake makes extra-wide shoes if you need them. I use the Lake wire tightened shoes but prefer the strap attachment.
2. You may also have the incorrect size toe clips or the strap on that side too tight. Change to clipless pedals.
3. There is a possibility that you have your clips and straps misaligned so that you foot is slightly misaligned. This can usually only be detected when you first put your foot in.
4. One thing often overlooked - your socks can cut off the circulation to your feet. And the blood vessels in your legs are usually in different places on your legs. So try using looser socks if all else fails.
By itself, the rise in saddle height shouldn't make a difference, but it may have subtly changed your pedaling dynamics.All good questions. Shoes fit well. I do have one foot larger that the other. The numbness started after a fitting. He raised the saddle about 4 mm's. I did lower it a couple mm's. Should this help?
Will do. It seems kind of like there is a type of "bunching up" right below my toes, but when I check, there is nothing. I did recently have a fitting and my cleats were moved and he raised my saddle?
I just bought a new pair of Shimano road shoes. I started having pain in the right toe, like a hot foot. The shoe size is the size I have always worn at 47. I stopped cinching the shoe straps too tight, and now, I have no pain. I think it will take awhile before my shoes wear in and expand, but I think the next pair of shoes that I buy will be larger than 47.
Let me be VERY clear on this - having too large a shoe is perhaps worse than having slightly too small a shoe. Your foot sliding back and forth inside the shoe and rapping up against the toe can make pinched toes seem like heaven.
Also the shape of the shoes and the quality of leather has a great deal to add to comfort. I finally got some Lake shoes and they have a wiser toe box and greatly relieved my pain. But then a friend donated a new pair of Sidi's to me and the softer more conforming leather turned them into wildly more comfortable.
Thank you for the great suggestionsBy itself, the rise in saddle height shouldn't make a difference, but it may have subtly changed your pedaling dynamics.
I was getting the numb big toe too. It was also stiff. I was diagnosed with hallux rigidus, a kind of arthritis of the big toe. Here's a link to an explanation that works for us non-medical types: http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/hallux-rigidus.htm
It's exacerbated by walking on the outside of ones feet. It was treated with physical therapy, foot exercise, and orthotic inserts, although I'm finding that good store-bought inserts work well, too. The object was to strengthen the foot and calf muscles and transfer weight bearing and work to the heel-big toe axis.
When riding, I'll occasionally find the big toe on my right foot (the big foot) going numb. When this happens I'll make a conscious effort to apply more pressure from the inside of the foot, even curling the big toe slightly and lowering the heel during the power phase of the pedal stroke (about 2-5 o'clock). Adjusting the cleat so the heels are a little more inside seems to help. After a while this becomes more reflexive.
Great suggestions. Thank you.I used to get numb feet at a certain distance (maybe 70 miles) with a normal width shoe (non carbon sole). I went to a wider shoe with a carbon sole and it would take a longer ride before I'd get numb feet. I changed from Speedplay Frogs to Look Keo pedals which disperse pressure even more to the point I only got numb on one foot and only on really long and hot rides. So, I went to a mid-sole cleat position using the Speedplay Frogs and have done multiple 1200 km rides and scores of Century rides with no problems. I had also found that tight Pearl Izumi socks would constrict and I now use somewhat looser wool socks.
Looks like I'll be getting new shoes. Thanks.While I've never experienced that myself, that's happened to a guy that I go riding with sometimes and in the end it was his shoes that was to blame also. Even though the shoe itself was the same size as his previous pair, the width wasn't the same and effectively after an hour or two the sides of his feet would become numb and that was the reason.
Will do. ThanksNumbness maybe dye to strain on the foot. It may be due to the way you sit on the bike. Maybe you sit leaning more on the left side or you is your left foot primarily for pedaling when cycling.
Anyway try to keep as much strain off that foot and try to relax on the bike. Hope it helps.
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