FLN333

I have always had road bikes and in November I purchased my first carbon bike and was fitted for the bike. At first I didnt have the clips but noticed that my toes on my left foot would get numb after about 15 miles or so. In speaking with my LBS she suggested I get clips. So after years of no clips I got clips (I am 43 and thought I was old to get them). I adjusted rather quickly and love them except....I still get numb toes. I have adjusted my seat height and also the cleat location. I can not say it is my shoes since it happened when I used my old shoes with the new bike. It has to be something with the bike and I cannot figure it out. I was wondering if it could be my saddle. I did read on another site that you need to have a proper fitting saddle where you sit bones fit the seat. Do you think to small of a seat could put this pressure on the nerves and affect my foot. I really dont feel it is the shoes but something on the bike. Any ideas?

fbxcore

I sort of notice that I get a bit of toe numbness if I don't use good cycling socks. Just a thought.

FLN333

When you say good cycle socks what do you mean. I have heard/read others state that. I have sock from bike companies but not sure what qualifies as "good"

gbg

What part of your foot goes numb? I know when I ride with a more lazy style (knees getting to far from the top tube, and mashing) my feet tend to pronate outwards, putting pressure on the outside of the foot, and I get numbness on the little toe. Once I correct my form, keeping my knees closer to the top tube and putting more pressure on the ball of the foot under the big toe the numbness goes away.

FLN333

One more piece of info - when I take my foot off the pedals or stop the numbness goes right away

vja4Him

I had problems with my feet going numb, tingling, swelling, when riding more than three or four miles. I've been wearing sandles when riding, which seems to have helped.

Barese Rider

I just had a great foot massage for a couple of sore feet from a long ride I did yesterday. It was worth the money..For many cycling can be rough on the feet, and Im included. Ive been to the podiatrist, added expensive insoles, and now have had a foot massage . I liked the foot massage the best as the asian girl who gave it to me was cute, didnt understand a word I was saying and aimed to please. [unlike my wife]

fbxcore

Well when I use my every day cotton socks that doesn't do me much good. When I use cycling/running-specific socks it helps me out a bit.

geneman

Too much "down" and not enough "up" in your pedal stroke, coupled with hard pedaling. Do you find yourself trying to go a little faster now that you're on a carbon steed?

Try consciously turning circles for a few rides. "Throw the knees over the handlebars," "wipe the dog crap off the bottom of your shoe at the bottom of the stroke." Whatever imagery it takes.

jordangerous

never heard that before, funny and useful.

RT

I have flat feet and have found the best answer to be orthotics, and believe it or not, the least expensive ones. WalkFit can be purchased at Target or BB&B. Even if you don't have flat feet, it keeps your foot honest when you are putting lots of pressure on it.

Another thing that VASTLY improved my foot health as it applies to cycling is the Yoga stretch where you start squatting like a catcher,then move your body into an arc, like an upside-down boomerang, hands in front. Slowly walk your hands closer to your feet, keeping your feet as flat on the ground as you can. Stretching that plantar fascia on the bottom of your foot will help, as it is attached to the ball of your foot (as well as your heel).

Hamish200sx

Your numbness is most likely coming from form and not from an equipment issue. It usually stems from mashing the pedals. It is a very awkward thing to try at first but if you use more of a pushing forward and pulling backward motion with your feet and just let momentum carry you up and down the numbness will go away. Your foot should be able to float in your shoe. You should not have constant pressure on the bottom of your foot.

RT

...and this too :-)

Dago

Wrong shoes or shoes are tightened too tight.

dnpaha

I just had this issue resolved when I had my new bike fitted. Turns out due to my flat feet I was putting pressure on one of my tendons and cutting off circulation. I had custom inserts made for my shoes which raises the ball of the foot. I had one foot leaning in and the other out so the inserts we adjusted for this. Feels funny to walk in but when you get on the bike it is amazing. A simple $90.00 solution that has had amazing results. My LBS had the inserts and the testing/sizing took 15 minutes. Check out the website: https://www.alinesystems.com/

tntyz

Or you can try the little wedges that fit under your cleat.

I had/have some toe numbness. In my case, mashing can cause it to worsen. That stinks because it's so fun to just hammer those pedals! Ease up and spin.

Also have tried those wedges that fit under your cleat. They seemed to help with numbness. I also noticed that my left anke feel much more flexible with the wedges installed, so my form is better than it was.

Good luck!

FLN333

thanks all. To sum up some of the questions, it is my big toe and next 2 toes. Once I remove my foot from the pedal it stops and numbness goes away. Again before I had the clips I used the same shoe on my other bike. Maybe it is form - but not sure why I didnt feel it before this new bike. And maybe it is trying to go fast. I will have to take notice as to when it happens. I was just checking the amount of time not if going fast. When you say mashing are you saying pedaling hard and fast? I have not heard throwing my knees over the handle bar but I have heard do not spin in a circle, do a box - I thought I was doing that. I did get Dr Schols inserts the gel sport and will try them. I am also going to pedal softer then I ride this week. Any other suggestions are appreciated. Some mentioned not on this site maybe my seat. Could it be I am pressing on a nerve causing this?