General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Toes go numb while cycling Rss Feed  
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2015-08-08 4:24 AM

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2

, Unknown
Subject: Toes go numb while cycling
Hello fellow athletes!

My toes often go numb while cycling... Is this normal? Am I doing something wrong? What can I do about it?
Thank you and keep up the good work! Kind regards from Belgium!

RuthDN



2015-08-08 8:58 AM
in reply to: RuthDN

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Veteran
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Western Australia
Subject: RE: Toes go numb while cycling
Ruth, I had this same problem and it turned out that my shoes were too small and my cleats also needed a slight adjustment.
2015-08-08 9:55 AM
in reply to: RuthDN

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119
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Groton, New York
Subject: RE: Toes go numb while cycling
I've had the same issue off and on. I felt that it might be because I was maintaining too much pressure on the balls of my feet but I don't know. Glad to hear I am not the only one with the issue. I wonder what others will say about it.
2015-08-08 10:18 AM
in reply to: RuthDN

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Expert
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Montana
Subject: RE: Toes go numb while cycling
2015-08-08 10:20 AM
in reply to: RuthDN

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Expert
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Montana
Subject: RE: Toes go numb while cycling
Yikes, sorry so much about that. I don't see a way for me to delete it. I'll try.
2015-08-08 3:21 PM
in reply to: RuthDN

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Master
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Los Angeles, CA
Subject: RE: Toes go numb while cycling
Shoes too small? Might be cleat position if you use them. Adjust them further back little by little until the numbness goes away. Also don't tighten the straps too hard because you feet swell up a bit.


2015-08-09 4:33 PM
in reply to: #5133794


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Subject: RE: Toes go numb while cycling
Hello from Liege. I too have his problem times and there's different reasons hard, one could be your bike fit – specifically your seat and do something with your seating angle putting numbness on a nerve that runs to your toes? I also find some days I'm a little more tense than riding than others and I feel my toes little bit numb. When I do I stretch out my toes and flex them inside the shoe to remind myself to relax my foot and some cycling. This often does the trick
2015-08-09 6:06 PM
in reply to: StaceyK

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West Michigan
Subject: RE: Toes go numb while cycling

Originally posted by StaceyK Ruth, I had this same problem and it turned out that my shoes were too small and my cleats also needed a slight adjustment.

^^^^

This...

I changed to a wider shoe and it literally stopped immediately...

Have your feet measured and compared to your current shoes.  I'll bet it's sizing..

 

2015-08-10 4:17 PM
in reply to: RuthDN

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Houston, Texas
Subject: RE: Toes go numb while cycling
X2 on the straps being too tight. I threw mine on WAY too tight in T1 at IMTX, not realizing what I had done and cried from mile 56-96 from the pain. Finally at mile 96 I wizened up after let the straps loose. I think I also have shoes that are slightly too narrow, but never really noticed on >100 mile rides.
2015-08-11 7:43 AM
in reply to: #5133966


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Subject: RE: Toes go numb while cycling
x3 on straps being too tight
2015-08-11 8:06 AM
in reply to: RuthDN

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Subject: RE: Toes go numb while cycling
Don't forget about your socks. I changed from a small to medium sized sock when I went to longer races and it's helpful. Same theme though - check that there's nothing squeezing your toes too much (sock, shoe) and that the pressure from the cleat is in the best place. Good luck!


2015-08-11 8:12 AM
in reply to: jkillen1

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West Michigan
Subject: RE: Toes go numb while cycling

Originally posted by jkillen1 x3 on straps being too tight

 

In my situation I was in road shoes so my LBS had me loosen the straps to their loosest, as if I felt like my feet would pull out.  If you still feel numbness after the distance you'd feel numbness in normal conditions, it's not the tightness of the straps, rather it's the area of the toe-box.  meaning your feet can't spread out enough within the shoe.

In my case it meant ditching an expensive pair of carbon road shoes and going full time in an older pair of tri shoes with the straps opened wide...  

My next road shoes will be much wider....

2015-08-11 8:45 AM
in reply to: RuthDN


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Subject: RE: Toes go numb while cycling
I was having this problem up until yesterday. I kept loosening up my straps more and more, but provided little relief. I then moved my cleats all the way back on my shoes and it helped tremendously. Check out this site for complete details.

http://www.active.com/cycling/articles/sole-searching-what-s-causin...

hope you find your happy place
2015-08-26 5:02 PM
in reply to: jkillen1

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2

, Unknown
Subject: RE: Toes go numb while cycling
Thank you everyone for your advice!
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