Numb toes on the bike
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Triguy98 posted 2 years ago.
The fact that it also happens on the stationary bike throws my guesses off. My toes would go numb, also on my left foot. Changing shoes helped. The inserts from my running shoes cured it. You may need shims or something. Another excuse to go get a FIST fitting!
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beads1985 posted 2 years ago.
Another thing to look at is your pedal stroke.
Are you pointing your toes down, which forces them into the front of the shoe?
Keep your foot level, or heel slightly down.
:D
Nothing to it, but to do it
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Anton posted 2 years ago.
Shims are for folks with leg length differences. My right leg is almost half an inch shorter than my left. Shims are layers of carbon or plastic that go between the shoe and the cleat to make up for that difference. It's sort of like an orthotic for a cycling shoe.
Without the shims on my right..I get alot of left hip pain.
Get fit at a good LBS and see...
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dma posted 2 years ago.
Interesting...I always felt that my left leg is a bit longer than my right.
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RV posted 2 years ago.
Shims are also used to alter the angle of the foot (side to side) - inorder to align the knee properly.
RV
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rbreddin75 posted 2 years ago.
Due to multiple breaks over the years (left leg and ankle & right femur - different times) my right leg is almost 3/4" shorter than my left..
I've ridden over 60 miles at a time (probably put just over 1000 miles on my bike since I got it) I too had some numbness but it went away when I changed pedals (from MTB SPD to ROAD SPD) and shoes..
No shims necessary for me (yet)
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Winters27 posted 2 years ago.
Is it possible that one both bike set-ups your seat is too far back or forward? I think that is a common way to get numb tootsies.
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brittda posted 2 years ago.
I know when I had that problem BBB suggested changing the position of the clip on my shoes either forward or back a bit--totally helped
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Ultrarunner posted 2 years ago.
I think beads1985 is on to something. I have the same problem and I notice that I point my left foot down a little, especially when going out harder. I also think that my shoes are one size to small now. Got new ones on the way!
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TBRAVO posted 2 years ago.
Do your cycling shoes have multiple straps? Some have 2 or 3.
Maybe the front strap is too tight?
I also agree with the “heels down� advice.
Don’t know if it gives you numb toes, but the proper pedaling stroke emphasizes heels down.
My toes are only down when I am out-of-the-saddle climbing or sprinting.
- T
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ph0ust posted 2 years ago.
hi dma, i have had this EXACT same issue both on the stationary bike and my road bike. i have talked to tons of semi-pro guys/gals and a couple of trainers/coaches, and let me tell you something......... no one knows why this happens. first it was my toes pointing down, so i stopped doing that.... still happened. then i needed a fitting, so i did that..... still happened. i have heard all kinds of hypotheses, which i have tried, and none of them stop this.
now, here is my theory- circulation. it's not that i have bad circulation, but it seems weird- my body runs hot, but my hands and feet are always cold and moist. i have thought for a long time i have some peculiar circulation issue (no i don't have raynaud's).
anyway, if you ever find out make sure to let me know what stopped it.... i have had no luck. it sucks running for the first 30 minutes with your feet totally numb! total drag....
good luck!
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dma posted 2 years ago.
I also have cold hands and feet. Maybe it's circulation, maybe pinced nerve from my saddle position.
I wear a size 10.5 sneaker, and right now road shoe(specialized comp road) I am thinking about trying an 11 in a trivent an seewhat happens.
BTW- as soon as I get off the bike and out of my cycling shoes I'm fine.
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edubb posted 2 years ago.
In Florida we have very few hills, which means I stay in the saddle for the entire ride and my toes get numb. To solve this problem I come out of the saddle for a few seconds every 15 minutes or so and in between that I will wiggle and scrunch up my toes to improve circulation.
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dma posted 2 years ago.
Doing that only helpss relieve my right foot. My left continues to remain numb until I am standing up and out of the shoe.
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Matt Hill posted 2 years ago.
Sometimes numb feet (or a foot) is just simply because your shoe straps are too tight. Remember the old advice of walking to the shoe shop to make sure your feet have swollen up to their 'active size' rather than their 'first thing in the morning size'?
I got some advice from another cyclist a year or two ago: After a half hour of riding your feet have swollen a little because of your increased blood flow, your shoes are now a bit tighter than when you left and need to be loosened off. After 30-45 minutes on a ride undo your shoe straps (can be done while riding), scrunch up your toes to push the straps out if they are tight, and then re-secure your shoe straps so they fit your 'new' foot size. It has worked for me :)
- M a t t
Has anyone else experienced numbness in their toes from riding.
After 30 minutes of riding (clipped in), the toes on my left foot (only) start to go numb. The same thing happens when wearing sneakers on a stationary bike.
Any suggestions to remedy this?