Road Bike Foot Numbness Problem

**powslut** · 05-14-2008, 07:08 PM

I've recently purchased my first road bike and am loving it. I have been riding for about a month now but am having serious foot numbness problems. Not cold numb, but lack of blood numb. I have adjusted and tweaked the straps on my shoes to no end and also have played with seat angles and positions also without results. Is there something I am missing here?

**nick > jesus** · 05-14-2008, 07:11 PM

are you using road specific shoes or mountain shoes?

if you are in MTN shoes the placement of the cleat could cause numbness

**powslut** · 05-14-2008, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by nick > jesus

are you using road specific shoes or mountain shoes?

if you are in MTN shoes the placement of the cleat could cause numbness

Road specific shoes. Time RXT

**1wsguy** · 05-14-2008, 07:41 PM

New shoes? Both feet?

Some shoes are actually a bit concave on the inside. If this is the case with yours, it could be causing the ball of your foot to bend to that contour, which inturn can constrict veins on the top of the foot, which can lead to numbness.

Try taking the insole out of one shoe and put about 2-4 layers of, one inch long strips of duct tape right under the ball of the foot.

If that makes a differnce, then keep adjusting position and amount of layers, until it feels right.

Or, Just get some custom insoles.

**powslut** · 05-14-2008, 07:44 PM

yes and no. It's mostly my left foot. I'll try the duct tape thing before I spring for insoles.

**ccwaskier** · 05-14-2008, 08:02 PM

It is a pretty common problem. It happens to me on most rides and to some other people i ride with. I have hear using a bigger pedal platform helps...looks instead of speedplay, but i haven't tried. I have noticed no difference with different shoes. Every once in a while it happens on my mtn bike too.

**huckbucket** · 05-14-2008, 08:49 PM

You're applying too much pressure on the downstroke and not pedalling in circles. Try going for a ride focusing exclusively on pulling up on the pedals and I bet the problem goes away. The other way to approach it is to increase RPM's and use a smaller gear.

BTW, Lemond's mental image is to pedal as though you're wiping dog shit off your shoe with every rotation. His other piece of advice is to pedal as though you're trying to throw your knees over the handlbars. Maybe one of these images will work for you.

**CantDog** · 05-14-2008, 08:56 PM

Are the shoes sidis?

Get proper insoles. For the most part, insoles in bike shoes are really bad. In my experience, sidi insoles are horrible. it doesnt take long before they are pretty much worthless and you are riding on the hard flat surface underneath.

I'd skip the duct tape thing and get some decent insoles. Dr.Sholes will work fine or superfeet, but if you care to spend some more money, specialized makes some really nice cycling specific ones.

One word of advice: STAY AWAY FROM A-LINE INSOLES.

**flyby** · 05-14-2008, 08:56 PM

ride a fixie for 1000 miles?

**mntlion** · 05-15-2008, 10:36 AM

why not try your mnt bike shoes/pedals, on the road bike?

that way you know for sure if it is the bike setup, or the shoes?

or why not just mnt bike? trails are dry now, you dont have to road bike anymore....

ZG · 05-15-2008, 11:54 AM

Loosen your shoes...

**powslut** · 05-15-2008, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by ZG

Loosen your shoes...

I have adjusted and tweaked the straps on my shoes to no end...

No shit.

**NlytendOne** · 05-15-2008, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by CantDog

Are the shoes sidis?
Get proper insoles. In my experience, sidi insoles are horrible.

Second the proper insoles, 'specially w/ Sidi sneaks. My feet were numb for awhile. Then I swapped insoles one day...

Could work. Good luck.

**Skipig25** · 05-15-2008, 05:00 PM

it's the spandex cutting of circulation to your legs.

**XtrPickels** · 05-15-2008, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by CantDog

Are the shoes sidis?

Get proper insoles. For the most part, insoles in bike shoes are really bad. In my experience, sidi insoles are horrible. it doesnt take long before they are pretty much worthless and you are riding on the hard flat surface underneath.

I'd skip the duct tape thing and get some decent insoles. Dr.Sholes will work fine or superfeet, but if you care to spend some more money, specialized makes some really nice cycling specific ones.

One word of advice: STAY AWAY FROM A-LINE INSOLES.

Superfeet Gray are made for tight fitting footwear like cycling shoes and cleats etc. They've worked well for me.

Whats you opinion of A-line? Its a product we thought very briefly about bringing into the store, but I have no first hand knowledge of it.