numb feet \ cleat position \ inserts ?

kingrollo

Without changing anything I have started to get numb feet after cycling for about an hour. Even before this started I was in the process of changing from SPD to spd\sl pedals. I notice that when cycling on my MTB (flat pedals \ trainers) my right foot comes to rest at an angle - with the toe inwards and the heel out - how can I accomdate this with my spd\sl cleats.

I already wear othotics - anything else I can try - thought about some gel inserts for the ball of my foot ?

Garry H

kingrollo wrote:

Without changing anything I have started to get numb feet after cycling for about an hour. Even before this started I was in the process of changing from SPD to spd\sl pedals. I notice that when cycling on my MTB (flat pedals \ trainers) my right foot comes to rest at an angle - with the toe inwards and the heel out - how can I accomdate this with my spd\sl cleats.

I already wear othotics - anything else I can try - thought about some gel inserts for the ball of my foot ?

Just set the cleat so that it points more to the outside of the foot, ie right of centre on your right shoe. Sure your shoes aren't just too tight though?

caw35slr

kingrollo wrote:

Without changing anything I have started to get numb feet after cycling for about an hour.

This suggests that nothing changed before the problem arose.

kingrollo wrote:

Even before this started I was in the process of changing from SPD to spd\sl pedals.?

While this suggests that you changed your pedals first! Which is it?

If your pre-numbness arrangement invloved SPD (not SL) AND orthotics then there's a good chance that cleat adjustment may solve your problem. What steps did you take to set up your SLs?

I have problematic feet and followed these suggestions with success:

Front/back: http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness/?id=2004/letters07-26#Cleat
Angle: http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness/?id=2007/letters01-30#7

This particular front/back adjustment strategy flies in the face of some other recommendations I've read so I suggest you keep an open mind and keep trying until you hit something that works for you.

Similarly with the angle question - this may or may not work for you. I use SPD SLs although, unlike you, I ride with my heels in. I ended up with the cleat adjusted so that my shoe is just prevented from hitting the crank arm. Adjusted like that I am not aware of any contact at the heel-out end of the float range (i.e. I don't think my foot swings the full 6 degrees, I'm certainly not aware of hitting the buffers at all).

The instructions in the link worked for me, they might for you.

kingrollo

haven't yet changed to spd\sl - these were on my second bike - so I could get used to them - only riden for spells of 5 minutes at a time.
thus I haven't altered the position of the cleats yet. LBS are in the process of swapping pedals to best bike.

so the problem is occurring on my spds - which I have ridden with for about 7 years - without problem - seems worse when climbing. I am hoping SPD\SL will be better for my feet (although this wasn't the reason for the change)

But as this problem has come out of the blue just wondering if anyone has any idea what has caused it.

kingrollo

haven't yet changed to spd\sl - these were on my second bike - so I could get used to them - only riden for spells of 5 minutes at a time.
thus I haven't altered the position of the cleats yet. LBS are in the process of swapping pedals to best bike.

so the problem is occurring on my spds - which I have ridden with for about 7 years - without problem - seems worse when climbing. I am hoping SPD\SL will be better for my feet (although this wasn't the reason for the change)

But as this problem has come out of the blue just wondering if anyone has any idea what has caused it.

couscous

Could the soles of your shoes be flexing?

caw35slr

Ok, try the SLs. I found that they eliminated the rocking that you get with a MTB SPD and that, along with good cleat placement, solved my sore foot issue.

My background: I had been happily using SPDs on MTB and road bike when my right (problematic - an old injury) foot and ankle began to hurt. I'm pretty sure my foot was aggarvated by a pair of trainers that I subsequently binned but the SLs alleviated the issue when cycling. Took a while to get the cleat position spot on, but I'm well happy now.