Numb feet

[deenpac]

Just started with a Trek 2100 road bike and clipless pedals with Nike shoes. I am finding that the outer part of my feet and my toes go numb after about 20 minutes of riding. My shoes fit nicely, my seat height seems great.

Anyone know what adjustments I would need to make to help this situation?

[Deborajen]

I started having a similar problem when I switched to clipless pedals a couple weeks ago. It goes away quickly when I get off the bike, so I assume it's from the pressure in the balls of my feet.

Have you tried clipping out for a few seconds to see if that helps? I don't know if any adjustments can be made if that's the cause, but that does seem to be the culprit for me.--

Deb

[DeniseGoldberg]

I started having a similar problem when I switched to clipless pedals a couple weeks ago. It goes away quickly when I get off the bike, so I assume it's from the pressure in the balls of my feet.

How stiff is the sole of your cycling shoe? If your shoes are not stiff, this could be caused by the pressure of the pedal through the shoe. My Sidi Dominators are very stiff, and I don't experience any numbness problems like you are describing.

[Googlie Wooglie]

I wear Nike shoes -- love 'em. The soles are quite stiff, but that could be a problem too if you're not used to wearing them. What kind of pedals are you using? It's possible that the cleat is in the wrong spot ...? Do you try wiggling your toes once in a while?

[bikerchick68]

also, after about 1/2 an hour riding your feet will swell up... try loosening the straps a bit about this time... I was getting numbness and someone told me about swelling and loosening the straps, and wahlah! No more probs...

[Deborajen]

My shoes are Specialized Motodiva and the soles seem pretty stiff.--

Loosening the straps sounds like a good thing to try. I have the same problem with toes going numb after running for about 45 minutes - I asked a podiatrist about this several months ago and he said he had no clue what would cause that (?). Since I land on a different part of my foot when running vs. the pressure point on the bike pedals, the feet swelling over time might be a common denominator.--

Deb

[Nanci]

One thing that can definatley (I can't spell that word!!) make your feet go numb while running is chronic compartment syndrome. You'd probably be having other symptoms, though, such as severe shin pain, that would overshadow that...

I have read in Long Distance Cycling that moving the cleats back slightly behind the ball of the foot can end foot numbness with no loss of power.

Nanci

[Bike Goddess]

IMHO- Try superfeet arch supports- take the liners out of your shoes and put those in. See if that helps! Also putting the cleats behind your metarasal arch will help as well.