shoes and numb foot

I just started riding with my new bike and shoes and I'm getting one numb foot. They are Nike mtb shoes. Wondering if I should try to move the cleet back on that shoe as it feels it is crambed into the front of the shoe or just return them and try some others as they are brand new? I did loosen it all the way and they don't feel tight at all so I'm not sure what to think. Also how many times do you ride with a seat before you try another? It is the Bontrager seat that came on my Trek Pilot but I think I'm riding heavy on the private parts. It could be too long of a stem too? My bike shop didn't do a real fitting so I'm not sure?

Thanks Ladies,
New Bike Queen

I also have a new Pilot and IMHO the Bontrager saddle is miserable. We've been referring to it as the "Bonty of Death". It's been torturous for me. I'm currently looking for a suitable replacement.

I have a new Pilot also and swapped the seat out after one ride and very sore girlie parts! There is a separte subject for most hated seats and favorite seats where you can get more info. I swapped out for a Serfas RX and so far so good!

Congrats on your new bike, I hope you love it as much as I love mine.
Patty

Not sure about the numb foot problem, as I've been lucky and never had to deal with that problem. Certainly, you could try moving your cleat a bit. As for the saddle, unless you know the bike fits correctly, its really hard to determine whether or not the saddle is going to be comfortable. Could you go back to the bike shop and demand a proper fitting? You paid good money for that bike they sold you....... I think it is their absolute responsibility to ensure that it fits you as well as possible. If they aren't willing to do that, is there another shop anywhere nearby that you could try?

annie

If your foot is "crammed" into the front of the shoe, the shoe doesn't fit right. My bike shoes are as comfortable as any other shoes I have.

Nanci

I'd consider replacing or adjusting the seat as part of the numb feet problem. Could be causing stress on your sciatic nerve.

Karen

I get the numb foot problem in spin class, but not on my bike. Same shoes, but different geometry. So my suggestion as a first step is to find a good bike shop that will check the fit on your bike. Could be you can get it adjusted so your foot will be fine with the shoes you have. If you still need new shoes, or need the move the cleet, the cost of the fit won't have been wasted anyway, as you'll still have a good bike fit to work from. As for the seat, my guess is that if it hurts now it will always hurt. For that one, you probably need a new seat!

Definitely time for a new seat.

As for the numb toes, I had this problem too. I also have Nike shoes, and switched to Specialized thinking it might help. Nada. So then I got a professional fitting, and the guy moved my cleat all the way to the front, using the first set of holes on the shoe. I thought this was too far forward, but it worked! I still get a little numb, but far less often than before. Before, I had them sort of in the middle. Guess that was too far back. Also, it helps to wiggle your toes every once in a while, BEFORE the toesies start to get numb.

HTH!

sometimes I tie my shoes too tightly, and then wrap the velcro too tightly. Then I end up with numb feet! So check your shoe tightness, too.

I have never been able to ride on a saddle that came with a bike, cuz I have very.... eh-hem, womanly hips. Any bike shop worth it's salt will trade out the seat and give you a discount (maybe only $10, but everything helps) on a new seat.

I second what Nanci said about the shoes. If your foot is crammed, then the shoe is too small. I have a pair of men's Specialized Tahos, and they are just as comfy as my Keens.

I have problems with my toes falling asleep and did get some different advice that might be related over here: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?p=72264

I have found the advice you're getting helpful too. More information is always better :)

I went through some problems with numb feet (mainly in the middle toes) with bike shoes and with running shoes, too. Several people on these boards made some good suggestions - make sure your bike shoe has a stiff sole and make sure the shoe isn't tied too tight. My bike shoes do have pretty stiff soles so I tried loosening the straps a little, and sometimes a little more about 20 minutes or so into a ride, and that helped a lot. Also, I switched to a running shoe with a slightly bigger toe box and have been tying them a little less tight and that's done the trick with running as well.--

Deb

As I read your post, it's the cleet that's "crammed", not your foot. But if your foot is crammed, then that is definitely a big part of the problem. Any activity shoe (well, with some exceptions such as ballet or rock climbing, but no exceptions for bike shoes) should sit well back at the heel -- no slipping and sliding that would create blisters -- but should leave you plenty of toe wriggle room out in front. The cleet, i imagine, should sit so that your pedal is where you want it, where you can apply pressure with your whole foot sole. So if you feel the cleet is crammed too far forward, then maybe moving it would help.

Thank you again for all your advice. I took the bike to the good bike shop-not where I purchased, and they helped adjust a few things without a technical fitting. They raised the seat height and tilted my handle bars more up as I was debating on switching to a shorter stem. They also installed my new bike computer I bought from them that has cadence as the initial shop didn't have one with cadence and I had them just install a regular one. I went back to the yucky bike shop to have them adjust my cleat and to return the bike computer and swap seets. They said they wouldn't return the computer as I didn't have the box or b/c it was installed already. I noted they didn't give me the box after installing it and that there was nothing wrong with it I just wanted one with cadence and they didn't have one. Note I haven't even had the bike a week or gone more that 30 miles on it yet. They also weren't very great for bike seats as they only had a Selle Royal I think a flowgel WSD and another Bontrager WSD. My Pilot came with the Bontrager so I said I didn't want another one so I am trying the Selle Royal. They would only credit me $10. Is that normal? Otherwise the good dealer has specialized dolce seats and I know I may get one at a different dealer closing nearby for $20? Anyone ride these?

Anyway back to the foot problem. They moved my cleat back a bit as it was all the way forward before so I will try it out along with loosening the shoe as much as possible. I am tempted just to return the shoes as they may be just a bit too tight on one foot and as I am not happy with their service all together? I'm still kind of appalled that they never measured me in any way nor put me on a trainer for any fitting. I think I'll write a letter to Trek? Thanks for letting me vent and for all your suggestions.

Frustrated,
Wisconsin Bike Queen

just had another foot thought today: Sometimes when I feel a foot or leg cramp (either one) coming on in spin class, it seems to be because I've forgotten to keep my heels down and am sort of "tip-toeing" on the pedals. I say "seems to be" because I can't know for sure, but it does often help to get my heels down again, and sometimes also wriggle my toes for a bit while I'm at it.