Toes pointing down - is this bad?
02-22-06 | 04:06 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,393
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From: Albany, WA
Toes pointing down - is this bad?
What problem can I expect to see if I ride with toes down?
(I get some numb left toes which improves if I concentrate hard on spinning in circles. I imagine it gets better because there is less pressure on the sole.)
(I get some numb left toes which improves if I concentrate hard on spinning in circles. I imagine it gets better because there is less pressure on the sole.)
02-23-06 | 01:29 AM
#2
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Mesa, AZ
Bikes: Moots RCS, tandem, beach-cruiser, MTB, Specialized-Allez road-bike, custom track-bike
Toes should be down on the bottom half of the stroke. This means your calves are contributing to the motion rather than just transmitting only power from the upper-leg. Then pull up on the toes on the upstroke to get your shins into the action... It really does look like the motion of walking...
02-23-06 | 07:10 AM
#3
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From: Middle of da Mitten
Bikes: Trek 7500, RANS V-Rex, Optima Baron, Velokraft NoCom, M-5 Carbon Highracer, Bacchetta Quattro, Catrike Speed
It's natural to point the toes down slightly - as in the angle you see if you're hanging your feet off the bed. But pointing them down more than that will tighten your Achilles tendon, and will leave you vulnerable to tearing it. Believe me, that is a Bad Thing(tm). Even a small tear is very painful! A minor tear will heal in, oh, a couple of months, but in extreme cases it requires surgery. I definitely do not recommend doing anything to risk it!
02-23-06 | 09:10 AM
#4
ROM 6:23
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Coastal Maine
Bikes: Specialized Tricross Comp, Lemond Tourmalet, Bridgestone MB-5
No. Up. Down. Straight. It doesn't matter. Depends upon one's natural postion. Trying to change is just a waste of time AND potentially injurous...
