roadnoob412

Hi all,

Recently I took delivery of my 2012 Bacchetta Corsa. Due to work constraints, etc.. I took her out just today for my first 'real' ride around the neighborhood - about 13 miles, so no major distance there as I'm accustomed to logging hundreds of miles on my DF. I know it will take time to adjust physically to the 'bent, but is it a normal phenomenon to have your feet asleep after only 5-6 miles of riding? I know I'm not even close to being comfortable with it, but this was a source of dissatisfaction with my DF and I'm hoping I won't have to deal with it on my Corsa. Today I left my platforms on and chose not to put my Look Keo's on as I am not ready yet to 'clip in' on this rig.

Thoughts? Do I need to just give it more time? Felt like I was mashing the whole time I was under power, which is a dead giveaway for sleepy feet!

Tim

10 Wheels

Not normal.

Did your feet do that on the DF?

JanMM

Has that happened with just one pair of shoes or multiple pairs?

roadnoob412

Yes, I used to have the same problem with my DF, but I could go quite a bit farther before it started happening, AND I was using road shoes and Look KEO's. Today, I just left my platforms on the bike and wore tennis shoes. All I can think to do is lower the seat a bit and play around with that and chalk it up to the learning curve/adjustment phase for now. I'm not giving up!

Recumbomatic

Some who have experienced numb feet on a bent recommend shoes with the two-hole (SPD) pattern and sliding the cleat as far back towards the heel as possible. A few have even modified their shoes so the cleats mount in the mid-foot area. One might argue that since recumbent riders can't stand on the pedals, there's no need to place cleats right under the ball of the foot.

I get numb feet after 2-3 hours if I'm riding hard, but then five minutes of standing usually fixes that (When it's really cold the numb feet come much sooner). I've never used road cleats, so I can't say if they would feel different.

BlazingPedals

You had the same problem with your upright, which tells you it's not the platform, it's you. Try the following:
1. Loosen the shoes, or better yet, try using some old shoes that are stretched out and naturally loose.
2. Put the pedal in the arch of your foot, not on the balls. Keeps the pressure off the toes.
3. Keep the cadence up over 80.

If you go clipless, keep the cleat as far toward the heel as you can get it.

vic303

Reclining your seat more should help a lot too.

BlazingPedals

I should add, contrary (or perhaps prior) to my previous advice, if you are riding in tennies and already putting the pedal in the arch of your foot, you may be pinching a nerve; a problem which could be solved by stiff-soled cycling shoes.

roadnoob412

Thanks guys - I did recline the seat a bit and cruise around the block to try it out, and it seemed to make a good bit of difference. I think right now I'm still just trying to get used to the dang thing...hopefully once I get things dialed in it will go away. Once I get the courage up to put my clipless pedals on, I'll try sliding the cleat all the way back and seeing how it goes.

10 Wheels

How far up your leg gets numb? I know you said Feet.

rydabent

Part of your problem could be shoes that are too narrow. It seem to be a problem with bike shoe manuf that they make shoes that are too narrow, probably a throw back to narrow Italian racing shoes.

One thing you can do if you have lace up shoes, when you put them one is go to the bottom there the laces first cross over. Make sure that you can put your fingers under that first crossover, and then pull the laces tight at the top. It will let the shoe relax over your instep. Works for me.

chandltp

I have a similar problem, with 3 pages of suggestions.

roadnoob412

The other day when I rode, I was in old, comfy tennis shoes, and it was only my feet that fell asleep. On my DF, I rode Sidi 'wide width' shoes and did my best to not strap them down super tight...