desert_tortoise

I took my first "real" ride today. I am hooked!

However, my feet are going super numb. I have a good, stiff pair of shoes that I used for MTB'ing and SPD pedals.

Any tips?

cparekh

Make sure the shoes are not too tight. Feet swell after they warm up. Until you get used to it, stop and adjust the shoes when you feel numbness. Also, make sure your saddle is not pushing on a nerve. This could cause numbness, I would imagine. Did the numbness stop when you dismounted, or did it take a while to go away. That would give a clue as to the possible cause.

desert_tortoise

It stopped when I got off the bike.

MONGO!

I use spd and MTB shoes too and get numb feet after 30 miles or so.

Maybe a bigger platform pedal like the A520 would work better?

LostBoizdown

I think it's more a function of your saddle placement and tightness of shoe that causes numbness, not the size of the platform of the pedal. I could be wrong though, I'm no expert.

I also have problems, but only with the big toe on my left foot, sometimes. I feel like I'm pushing on a nerve under my left leg, way up on my thigh almost near my butt. Any ideas for us asymmetrical mortals?

Gerrylightning

I had the same problem with numb feet, turns out the type of socks you wear make a big diffrence thinner cycling type socks are apparently the best, however a friend of mine tryed to convince me to try not wearing them at all "you will love it I tell ya" he said, Im thinking this guy is nuts, so I'm getting dressed for my ride, sh*t no clean socks, what the heck i'll try it. Crazy SOB was wright, I no longer wear socks and I dont have numbness at all even on longer rides.

On Your Right

Check and see if you're pushing too big of a gear. As a newbie, you should try and spin at an 80+ rpm cadence. 90 is ideal but some new riders tend to bounce a little until they get spinning down pat. Also, if it was a relatively flat ride you can be a little prone to numbness from constant pressure on the feet.

Hey, I just thought of something.....

This is the first time in my life I have told someone on the bike forum that I love them, but I Love You Desert Tortoise!!!!

desert_tortoise

Thanks a lot for the advice. I bought some cycling specific socks today, so we'll see how tonight's ride goes.

I don't think I'm pushing too big of a gear, but I could be wrong. It WAS a pretty flat ride, so maybe that's it.

I'm going to check out that website that you sent to Ryan for optimum fit to see if that also might be the problem.

Oh, and btw, I love you too Dad.

Bacciagalupe

Definitely make sure your fit is right, especially if this is your first ride on a road bike. Totally different position than MTB.

In terms of gearing, you want a high cadence. But that will affect your knees rather than your feet (usually).

If adjusting the fit doesn't fix it, move the cleats back.

donrhummy

Could also be that the pedal is positioned right on the ball of your feet. If this is the case, then you'll be impinging on the nerves there. Get a professional fit and tell them that so they can move the cleat.

jenkins31

Hi. Total noob here. I had foot numbness also and had a bike fit done and that, along with some Specialized footbeds took it away, even after 200 miles in two days.

desert_tortoise

Awesome advice! Thanks a lot.

I am going to take my bike in for some weird noise I'm hearing in the chain, I'll get them to put me on a trainer and see if I am out of adjustment.

oopfoo

I'm working against some foot numbness, too. It happens after about 2.5 - 3 hours into a ride. I just started using the Specialized footbed this morning, and am working to adjust my cleat and foot position to be as neutral as possible, moving the pressure around until I figure out how my foot should be engaged to stop the problem.

+1 for the no-sock suggestion, by the way.

I'll post my results, even if I resort to saddle adjustment or other remedies.

hurley.girl

A quick test would be to keep your shoes a little looser and see if that helps. I have 2 velcro straps 1 ratchet strap. If I over-tighten the velcro straps my feet will go numb.

CdCf

The problem is very likely not in your shoes - it's in your lower back, inner thighs or hips. If your body isn't used to a forward riding position, nerves can get pinched, making your feet go numb. Sometimes, only a couple of toes go numb.

Slowly getting used to a more aggressive position and/or getting a narrower saddle will probably help. It did for me. No change in shoes for me, yet the numbness is very rare these days (got it on almost every ride at first).