Foot Pain

[Rowley Runner]

Sorry if this has already been covered but i am in need of your collective wisdom. I swapped to SPDs which has greatly improved the pedaling efficiency of my bent however 15kms in my left foot starts to go numb. I have wound off the spring tension for more float and tried different positions with the cleat. My right foot is fine but my left foot suffers. Anyone know of a good way to set up SPDs on a bent for a natural position that i assume would eliminate my numb foot issue. I had the pedals and shoes previously on my up right bike and never had this problem.

RR

[Baalzamon]

Have you had a cleat fit done?
Could be your cleats are not in the right position.

[Rowley Runner]

Have you had a cleat fit done?
Could be your cleats are not in the right position.

I think you are right but where do i get a "cleat fit" done? I am assuming that on a "normal" bike your feet naturally hang down onto the pedals ensuring a natural fit however my leg not hanging down but facing forward!

RR

[PawPaw]

Experiment by loosening ONE shoe and wearing a thin sock. Often a tight toe box compresses the nerves between the bones in the mid and forefoot, which causes numbness.

If you are prone to your inside arch collapsing (pronating) this can put pressure on nerves. To experiment, build up several layers of cardboard (about 4-5mm high) under the ball of your foot, inside the shoe under the insole. Make sure the cardboard is ONLY under the ball of the foot. And don't tighten the shoes too much.

[william]

I experienced this only recently after reading many times about "hotfoot", tingling toes and foot pain in general.

It came after replacing a pair of SIDI shoes with the same model and size. I didn't take notice of the cleat position and after a few hours into a brevet my feet started feeling numb developing into what I would describe painful cramp like feeling in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th toes. I had to stop riding and massage the feet.

After much research and adjustments the shoes started to come good but not after a slight arch support and loosening the buckles more than I was used to. Comparing my old worn ones I think as these were worn hail, rain or shine with no care they had adjusted to my feet somewhat and I never suffered.

If you're riding recumbent I would advise moving your cleat closer to the heel and not being too snug with the fit. Also after you're warmed up, and on a hot day, your feet will swell but you shoes won't. Back them off a notch at this point. You should also be able to wriggle your toes comfortably too.

william

[Rowley Runner]

I experienced this only recently after reading many times about "hotfoot", tingling toes and foot pain in general.

It came after replacing a pair of SIDI shoes with the same model and size. I didn't take notice of the cleat position and after a few hours into a brevet my feet started feeling numb developing into what I would describe painful cramp like feeling in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th toes. I had to stop riding and massage the feet.

After much research and adjustments the shoes started to come good but not after a slight arch support and loosening the buckles more than I was used to. Comparing my old worn ones I think as these were worn hail, rain or shine with no care they had adjusted to my feet somewhat and I never suffered.

If you're riding recumbent I would advise moving your cleat closer to the heel and not being too snug with the fit. Also after you're warmed up, and on a hot day, your feet will swell but you shoes won't. Back them off a notch at this point. You should also be able to wriggle your toes comfortably too.


Shifting the cleat back appears to have worked. Just cycled home from work without an issue (well apart from losing my wallet )

william

[exadios]

Sorry if this has already been covered but i am in need of your collective wisdom. I swapped to SPDs which has greatly improved the pedaling efficiency of my bent however 15kms in my left foot starts to go numb. I have wound off the spring tension for more float and tried different positions with the cleat. My right foot is fine but my left foot suffers. Anyone know of a good way to set up SPDs on a bent for a natural position that i assume would eliminate my numb foot issue. I had the pedals and shoes previously on my up right bike and never had this problem.

RR

I go touring on my trike from time to time and the way I solved this was to fit short cranks. Mine are 152mm (they were 175mm).

Other things that help is to roll your foot forward while pedaling. Also try to adjust your pedals so that the axles of the pedals are as far back - towards your heels - as you can get them.

[rdp_au]

I'll second the recommendations to move your cleats back. I had achilles pain and numb toes on longer rides on my recumbent with the cleats in the recommended position (ball of the foot in line with the pedal axle). Moved the cleats as far back as possible and no further problems.

David

[skyblot]

Something else to look at, I had really bad hot foot just on my left foot, to the stage after moving the cleats right back I could cycle about 2 km before I couldn't stand it any more.

I pulled the guts out of the shoe and found a huge cavity where the cleat fittings hide. There was a piece of foam to cover the gap, but frankly it just didn't do anything so I was getting a pressure point.... a thin piece of tin across the hole and voila - no foot pain.

Best luck

[exadios]

Something else to look at, I had really bad hot foot just on my left foot, to the stage after moving the cleats right back I could cycle about 2 km before I couldn't stand it any more.

I pulled the guts out of the shoe and found a huge cavity where the cleat fittings hide. There was a piece of foam to cover the gap, but frankly it just didn't do anything so I was getting a pressure point.... a thin piece of tin across the hole and voila - no foot pain.

Best luck

Yes, good shoes are very important. I wear Rossi boots which have a good, solid sole.

[Phil]

Moved my cleats as far back as they will go on the SPD sandals andit is alot better on the trike.