3 numb toes
 

Why would the 3 smaller toes on my right foot get numb after about 8 miles of riding? It happens to a lesser extent while mountain biking (takes at least twice as long to get as numb), but happens fairly quickly when riding on the road. I just started riding a road bike and I'm concerned that this is going to be a real problem as I ride longer distances such as the upcoming MS150.

FWIW, the bike seems to fit well overall. I'm using SPD style pedals and a pair of old Lake mtb shoes that I also wear while offroading. I'm going to get new shoes this spring, but I still plan to use the same pair for road and offroad. Any ideas?

Chris

i'd start by swapping out the saddle

I've struggled with this problem for years. (left foot 3 middle toes) Most responces will attribute thie problem to lack of circulation and tell you to loosen up your shoes. This can and does help me, but doesn't solve the problem. I believe that this is caused by pressure on a nerve of some kind. Over time my feet have gotten so that if I stand on my tip toes I can instantly feel the toes starting to go numb. I can even press on a spot under my toes with my finger and duplicate this problem. I've tried new shoes and pedals, socks, etc. They all have an effect on the problem, but don't cause it to go away.

This is how I manage it. Keep the shoe loose in the toe area. I even remove the insoles to give me more room. [B]Spin[B] Really think about pushing down with your heels and pulling up to get pressure off of your toes. As the pain shows up I can usually manage to keep it under control by concentrating on not mashing down with the ball of my foot.

Hope this helps your problem.

Check cleat position.

In what way?

Chris

mm adjustments to cleat position can make a big difference. I used to get hot spots on my feet and numb toes after just 20 minutes. I tried moving the cleats around, but could never get the right foot to feel as good as the left. I finally went to a shop where my brother, a bike mechanic, worked. He did some measurments of my foot with my cycling shoe on, moved the cleat forward just a smidge and I haven't had issues since. I have no idea why he could fix it in less than a minute, but it took me months of fiddling and still couldn't get it right. I guess that is why they pay him the big bucks. ;)

But my point is, that you have to either have a bike fit specialist check it out, or at least start moving the cleat to a new position and see how it goes. Everything I read said to move the cleat backward, yet he moved it forward and this ended the pain and numbness.

I can't imagine it would cost much. And now I can ride 6-8 hours with no foot issues.


http://www.cptips.com/footsyn.htm

i like this idea.

Ok, I'll try moving the cleat around after I get new shoes (next week or three).

How would a new saddle help?

Chris

i'm not a doctor, but i recall reading wayyyy back in the 90s when i was a racer, an article in one of the bike rags about how the pressure point on the saddle is often very close to or exactly on the spot that major arteries and (i'm reaching now) nerve tracks go down into the leg and obviously all the way to the foot. someone help me out here, i may be wrong or not describing it accurately. so a good (personal) saddle choice is very important.

I think we're describing the sciatic nerve here. It's the sciatic nerve that essentially runs down the back of the leg. It can be quite painful, and it may be that the pressure from your saddle is causing the nerve to be pinched.

Check out this for more information.

East Hill

Be sure to rule out Raynauds syndrome. I have fought this for 6 years now- manageable but nonetheless a pain. Severity of attacks depend's on the type (primary or secondary) and progression of the condition. In any case- it is triggered by temperature change (not necessarily bitter cold either- just significant changes in temp's). Folks w/Raynauds typically see it in the fingers 1st.

If you're using SPDs and cheap "look like sneakers" shoes, then it may just be a combination of a small cleat and a flexy sole. A stiff-soled shoe can spread the load and reduce pressure on any particular point on your foot.

I've had a similar problem since going clipless and getting a new saddle (within about a month of each other). I love both and don't want to go back, and the problem seems to be in the shoe. so hopefully it'll go away with small adjustments.

Arch supports with metatarsal pads help a lot. bk

I'll second that...I have had the same issues in fingers and toes.

It's also possible the shoes have broken down and that's causing the flex.

All the foot pain I had went away when I switched from spds and old shoes to SPD-SL and new carbon-soled shoes.

The old shoes were Lake MTB shoes, not tennis shoes. I've since changed shoes and the saddle as well (both were planned regardless of this issue). I have yet to ride long enough to bring on the numbness.

The other day, I noticed that I sometimes get the same sensation when going for a walk in my Chaco sandals. It doesn't happen all the time though. I never have this happen in regular tennis shoes or my street shoes. I don't experience the numbness at all in my other foot or in my hands ever.

Chris