Forefoot numbness with cycling

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2008-10-14 10:18 AM

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Subject: Forefoot numbness with cycling
Does anyone else get forefoot, plantar (sole) numbness with cycling. This typically happens during cycling >30min. It is not painful and goes away almost immediately after taking the pressure off my feet. I wear cleated cycling shoes.

I am wondering if this is an indication that my bike positioning needs some professional evaluation. I have not been "fitted" on my bike (Trek 1500 SLR). I have not been riding for that long so I wonder if this is just my leg muscles (nerves, etc) adjusting and the numbness will eventually go away. Could my shoes be the issue?

If anyone has had this problem or any insight into the matter, please reply.

2008-10-14 10:27 AM
in reply to: #1741186

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Cycling Guru
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Subject: RE: Forefoot numbness with cycling

Could be any combination of pedal/cleat position or body position.

Getting some sort of fit would be beneficial.

2008-10-14 10:29 AM
in reply to: #1741186

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Master
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Subject: RE: Forefoot numbness with cycling
your shoes could be the issue.. Some cycling shoes are more narrow than others.. I used to wear nike cycling shoe(narrow).. foot used to go numb with any ride over about 30 min... I now have the specialized tri shoe(wider)... foot doesn't get numb anymore..

also your foot widens as you run more.. so if your run routine has changed. your foot is probably a little wider.. this could cause problems..

narrow shoes
sidi
nike
some shimano shoes

i've tried these shoes on, they were narrow to me.
2008-10-14 10:45 AM
in reply to: #1741186

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Subject: RE: Forefoot numbness with cycling
 I battled this off and on for a while. Cleat position/bike fit is the first thing to look at. Try a different pair of shoes, Specialized Tri vent helped me too. Try loosening your shoe straps a little bit about 30 minutes into your ride. Make an effort to relax your forefoot and change you foot position inside your shoes. If you tend to mash the pedal instead of spinning, you might work on that a bit. When coming to a spot like a traffic light take this time to shake out your feet since you are not locked into the pedals. All of these have helped me. 

Edited by mdg2003 2008-10-14 10:46 AM
2008-10-14 10:52 AM
in reply to: #1741186

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Subject: RE: Forefoot numbness with cycling

i experienced this yeterday, it had not happened since i used to pedal with running shoes. I bought shimano tr50's and cycling has been awesome since...... but yesterday i raised my seat 1-2cm higher, and i feel i have a lot more power....but after a 10 min 90% effort my foot started getting pins n needles in it. I pulled to get rid of it, but it would return when i get into my power pedalling.

We both had never had a bike fit, so i am guessig this would help..... i have just been going by feel, and recenly adjusted my seat up 1-2cm because i purchased some slip on aero bars, and it had to go up for more efficeint power....but now this freakin problem rises.

Any suggestions on how to do a self-bike fit, temporarily.



Edited by Jyles16 2008-10-14 10:53 AM
2008-10-14 11:04 AM
in reply to: #1741186

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Subject: RE: Forefoot numbness with cycling

What type of pedals do you have? I recall reading somewhere that certain types of pedals are more prone to causing what you describe. SPDs I think were one of them. A larger pedal surface/binding like LOOK might help?

2008-10-14 1:16 PM
in reply to: #1741275

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Subject: RE: Forefoot numbness with cycling
thanks for the replies. I DO think I could do better spinning rather than mashing down on the pedals. When I try lifting my feet up within the shoe the numbness fades. I'm not sure about the shoe being too narrow but I will try loosening up the velcro straps and see what happens. I can wiggle my toes pretty much no problem. Eventually I will upgrade my shoes to something triathlon specific. Right now I wear some sort of generic shimanos.
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