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The saga of my numb feet continues or I need a wide platform clipless pedals

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The saga of my numb feet continues or I need a wide platform clipless pedals

Old 09-01-07, 03:42 AM
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The saga of my numb feet continues or I need a wide platform clipless pedals

I previously posted about getting numb feet with my previous bent, which had the pedals higher than the seat. After trying all the sugestions of the helpful people here, I still ended up with numb feet. So I changed my bent...

I now ride a RANS Rocket, fitted with an old pair of Shimano PD-515 single sided clipless pedals. I use a pair of Peal Izumi shoes (the widest I could find to fit my odd feet) with a pair of custom made orthotic insoles. The cleats are as far back as possible and the shoe fastened as loose as possible. This has got rid the numbness caused by circulation and possible nerve pinching.

However, I am still having a problem with numb feet. I went for a 50km ride today which included a couple of small (but steepish) hills and a strong headwind for about half the ride. I spent a fair bit of time spinning in the middle ring and middle gears. I know I was being naughty and pushing too big a gear for parts of my ride as my knees are a bit sore. I did end up with numb feet caused solely by the pressure of the cleats pressing on one part of my foot.

My question is what clipless pedals have a wider platform or surface area that will spread the pressure over a wider area than the narrow SPDs? Do I have to go to platforms & toe clips?

I have attached a couple of pics of my shoes showing the cleat position and what particular model they are (I can't remember).
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Old 09-01-07, 08:23 AM
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It probably is your shoe/pedal connection more than the bike.

I get the occasional numb right foot on my Rocket, and got the same thing once when I rode the same pedals and shoes on an upright. I am a big fan of Eggbeaters, but you may want to look at the Smarties or Candies because they have more contact area.
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Old 09-01-07, 09:04 AM
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Originally Posted by gnome
I have attached a couple of pics of my shoes showing the cleat position and what particular model they are (I can't remember).
I hate to ask you to spend a significant amount of money, but your mountain bike shoes and spd sleats are not the most solid platform to minimize pressure. I'd advise trying a good pair of road shoes (stiffer soles) with a road style clip such as look or shimano SPD.

I rode with mountain bike shoes and egg beaters for about a year, then switched to very high quality road shoes with look pedals. Once I learned not to cinch up the road shoes as tight as they would go, I virtually eliminated my problems with hot spots and numbness.

Bob
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Old 09-02-07, 10:14 PM
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Crank Brothers Mallet model has a very wide platform for a clipless pedal.
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Old 09-04-07, 07:14 AM
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Originally Posted by wrobertdavis
I hate to ask you to spend a significant amount of money, but your mountain bike shoes and spd sleats are not the most solid platform to minimize pressure. I'd advise trying a good pair of road shoes (stiffer soles) with a road style clip such as look or shimano SPD.
I'll echo that thought as well. A larger pedal surface won't spread the load anywhere near as efficiently as a stiffer soled show will.
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Old 09-04-07, 07:24 AM
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Numb feet

Hello

When I was riding my mountain bike on the road long distances, I got numb feet also. But in my case I do not believe it was the shoes. I believe it was the seat pinching a nerve in my groin area. I would have numb feet long after I was off the bike, during the summer riding months. After changing to a regular road bike with a better seat for distance, it went away. This may be something to consider also. I know recumbent seats do not dig in like road bike seats, but there could still be a lot of pressure on a nerve while sitting.

Harold
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Old 09-04-07, 08:35 AM
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imo it has to do with pressure............i drove my sisters car to tenn for a few hrs and it had a hard gas pedal...........i had to push on it so hard than my big toe fell asleep........for like 2 days

my hands used to fall asleep while mtb riding and i was leaning too much on my bars

but it could be a pinched nerve too

good luck
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Old 09-04-07, 10:34 AM
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A shoe with a stiffer sole will probably help more than a pedal with a wider footbed. But, the root of your problem could be solved by either one. I suggest trying a new shoe first, then try a pair of Crank Bros. Mallet pedals.
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Old 09-04-07, 05:30 PM
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I tried that same thing - I have SPD pedals with a wide platform. The thing is, the contact point is still pretty much concentrated on the cleat, and I still get numb feet. If it gets too bad, I just stop and rest for a minute or two, or even unclip when I'm coasting and drop the foot a bit and waggle it about to get the circulation going again.

I mainly put the platform pedals on so I could ride in regular shoes sometimes - for that, they're great.

The idea of a proper road shoe sounds promising - lord knows I've tried everything else. I might mave to investigate getting a pair for my longer rides. For my commute (approx 20km) I don't have a problem.
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Old 09-04-07, 06:21 PM
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How tight are your shoes laced?
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Old 09-05-07, 10:39 AM
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Get Bebop pedals. They'll fit your mtb shoes, but spread the pressure out better. The suggestions for better shoes make sense too. Sidi Megas are wide, so should fit you.

I never did have numb feet, but I got hot spots from spd pedals, both with my Lake shoes and my Shimano sandals. Once I switched to Bebop pedals, that problem was solved.
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Old 09-06-07, 01:49 AM
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Thanks for the help

Thank you for the suggestions. I think I will try a pair of Crank Bros. Mallet pedal with my existing shoes (which have a lot of wear in them) and if that doesn't work then I will try road shoes & pedals.
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Old 08-29-08, 12:46 PM
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I used to get numb feet ,especially on harder hilly rides. I have a high arch,and thought maybe












I needed more support.I purchased a pair of Specialized foot beds,and have experienced a great improvement.On regular rides I feel no munbness.....on longer ,hilly rides I get some numbness.But much improved since i have put in the new soles.

On a related point ,I wouldn't think of Skiing without custom footbeds. I thought it would be worth a try. A much cheaper solution to buying new shoes and pedals.
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