dlester

One would think that is a good thing. Problem identified means problem solved, right?

Well, not if you are me apparently. What I have discovered is that my riding position, regardless of how it may have gotten that way, has me pedalling with my toes pointed slightly down. As a result my foot pushes to the end of the shoe, scrunching up the toes, ultimately making them go numb, followed by more of the foot.

I am now aware of what I am doing, and correct myself when I think about it, but I have been doing this a long time. It only because something I noticed when I started riding longer distances. The problem now is that is my 'normal' position, and I have to unlearn it. This is proving to be less than trivial since I revert to that position whenever I stop thinking about it.

Any ideas/suggestions? I am sure I will correct it with time, but if anyone has ever run into this I figure I may be able to benefit from their experience. For whatever it is worth, seat height is not 'wrong'. It may have been back when I originally picked up this bad habit, but it is fine now (it is just me now).

damnable

What type of pedals and shoes are you wearing?

Even though your current saddle height is right, it might be worth lower it a litte and then gradually work your way up to the normal position again when you've fixed the toe problem. Having the saddle a little bit lower will make it easier to concentrate on having more of a horizontal foot, particularaly at the bottom of the pedal stroke.

zoste

You could try some type of cycling sandals, which would eliminate the toe box. I've heard of people who ride with them pretty much year 'round.

magohn

I had the EXACT same issue where after 10 mile or so, the constant contact of my big toe to the front of my shoe (non-cycling shoe) rendered my whole left foot close to fully numb. I picked up a pair of "on sale" Shimano SPD shoes and pedals and have ridden 50+ mile in the last week with zero numbness. The Shimano shoes have a least an extra 1/2" of toe clearance and also fit tighter than my sports shoes and so my toe(s) can no longer hit the front of the shoe..Its such a difference.

Now if I can just remedy my numb "buns" I will be good to go... ;-)

rm -rf

I moved my SPD cleats forward a bit, so my toes wouldn't push toward the front of the shoe as much. Now my pedal stroke is more balanced over the pedal axle. But: that doesn't work for some people, causing knee soreness.

My shoes are a half size too big, so I wear thick socks. My toes have plenty of room.

wild animals

My toes go to the front of my shoe whether I'm walking or cycling, so I tie the shoes tight at the ankle, but loose across the top of the foot, closer to the toes. Then my foot can't move around but the front half of my feet aren't strangulated.

Maybe you could attach something to the undertoe of your sneakers, like how snorers put tennis balls on the backs of their night-shirts, so they can't lie comfortably on their backs.

jeneralist 

My toes slid forward in my sneakers; since I was using toe clips (aka "cages") at the time, I wound up with bruises under my toenails. Ick!

Then I switched to SPD cleats and Keen cycling sandals. My feet are much happier.

dlester

I appreciate all the interesting feedback. I have been using SPD shoes/pedals ever since I became active riding again. The shoes are starting to fall apart now, but I don't think that is causing the numbness since I have experienced that all along, even when they were new.

I am definitely going to give some of these suggestions a try.