Road Cycling - Foot numbness

I am currently using Speedplay pedals which I do like a lot with an entry pair of Lake shoes; the ones which only use one strap and shoe strings. Problem is, both feet start to go numb after about 10 miles on the road. I don't use the shoe strings and the shoes seem to be a good fit just using the velcro strap. Anybody have any thoughts as to whether it might be the pedals or the shoes. I have adjusted the shoes to where they are comfortable but not overly tight. I am thinking of trying some SPD-SL Ultegra pedals just to see how I would like the platform design and also if it might solve my problem. LBS has them for $135.00 per pair. Decent price or anyone know where I could get them cheaper? Didn't have much luck looking on ebay. Thanks for any feedback relative to my problem.

Whitemax,
I can do the shimaNO PD 6601 pedal for $115 with shipping. However I think you need to look at your shoes. My wife has a pair of Lake SPD shoes and they sit in a box because it makes her feet sore. They seem to run a little narrow in the width.

Keep riding.

I agree with the advice about the shoes. They really need to fit your feet very well and entry level Lakes probably do not. When you are pedaling, the force applied by your foot to the sole of the shoe should be relatively uniform in distribution over the front1/3 to 1/2 of your foot. In other words, the shoe should conform to the contour of your foot as much as possible. If not, the non-conforming areas will have a lot more pressure. Those areas, particularly if they are compressing a sensory nerve or blood vessel, will cause numbness. I'd definitely recommend going to the LBS and trying on AT LEAST half a dozen pairs of shoes. Fit is key. You will probably end up quitting cycling unless you get the problem fixed.

Shoes are a real hassle because the only way you find out whether they are acceptable is to ride them. You are in a sense fortunate that it only took 10mi.
I have had shoes that did the same at 40 and another pair that did it at 60-70mi.
Shoes and saddles have similar problems, you can't tell how they do until you use
them long enough to make them non returnable. Best advice I can give is to get a
clearly oversize shoe and use inserts to improve the in shoe padding. Most people
tend to get shoes that are on the tight side, and since feet tend to swell in the
course of a ride you have a double whammy. Your problem is MUCH more likely to
be shoe than pedal, as the first prerequisite of a shoe is a stiff sole. If the sole flexes
it doesn't matter how big the pedal is, you will have problems. Steve

Get good shoes with stiff soles. Sidis are a great choice, although expensive.

Loosen your shoes after riding a couple of miles. As sch says, your feet tend to swell when you are riding.

Make sure your feet are loose (i.e., not clenched) while riding.

I agree with the others - it is more likely to be your shoes than your pedals.

Thanks for the comments. I got the Ultegra pedals and now my feet don't go numb nearly as quick but they still do after about 20 miles so I am inclined to think that it must be the shoes. Any suggetions as to where to get some good shoes at a good price? Thanks again.

Turn circles. You may be putting too much pressure on the downward portion of the stroke.

-mark

Try pedaling "up only" every so often.

Thanks for the comments. I got the Ultegra pedals and now my feet don't go numb nearly as quick but they still do after about 20 miles so I am inclined to think that it must be the shoes. Any suggetions as to where to get some good shoes at a good price? Thanks again.

Go to your lbs and try a couple of pairs on. Try Sidi, Diadora, Look, Pearl Izumi. If your problem really is the shoes, as it appears to be, then you want the best fit possible. Ordering over the web to save mondy may leave you with a compromise fit. Plus, the lbs will help you get your cleats positioned properly.

Give some Time shoes a whirl. Best match for Speedplay pedals and very stiff/nicely made.