pins and needles in my toes

foo-fighter

Hi all,
I have posted on here before about cleat positioning and im still having some trouble getting this right. I went out today for about 20 miles, after about 5 miles i had pins and needles in my right toes and that spread to my left ones after about 10 miles, also my knees still feel like they are being pulled in towards the top tube. I think subconciously i am trying to hold my knees away from the bike which is causing my problems. Does anyone on here know what i might be doing wrong? Would i be better going to my local bike shop (Evans) and getting them to help? As always any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Si

optimisticbiker

foo-fighter wrote:

Hi all,
I have posted on here before about cleat positioning and im still having some trouble getting this right. I went out today for about 20 miles, after about 5 miles i had pins and needles in my right toes and that spread to my left ones after about 10 miles, also my knees still feel like they are being pulled in towards the top tube. I think subconciously i am trying to hold my knees away from the bike which is causing my problems. Does anyone on here know what i might be doing wrong? Would i be better going to my local bike shop (Evans) and getting them to help? As always any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Si

I can only pass on the advice I've been given - get a proper Bike Fit, its really hard to do this yourself...

While I quite like Evans, bike fits dont seem to be their forte, its a bit too specialist. Whereabouts are you? maybe someone can recommend in your area...

foo-fighter

Thanks for that optimistic,i am in Reading so if anyone knows of a bike fitting specialist in that area i would be gratefull. In the mean time i thing i am going to go with some Specialized bg pedal axle extenders as my toes naturally point outward quite a bit, im hoping these will solve the problem. or at least help a bit till i can get a bike fit sorted.

optimisticbiker

foo-fighter wrote:

Thanks for that optimistic,i am in Reading so if anyone knows of a bike fitting specialist in that area i would be gratefull. In the mean time i thing i am going to go with some Specialized bg pedal axle extenders as my toes naturally point outward quite a bit, im hoping these will solve the problem. or at least help a bit till i can get a bike fit sorted.

thats exactly the problem i have, and my knees complain after 30miles...

There's a Specialized BG fit centre near me (the nearest to you is in Bristol), but I was also recommended Bike Dynamics in Leamington Spa. Triworks in Leatherhead also are a BG Fit centre, as are Cycleworks (Guildford and Leatherhead). Couldnt find one in Reading itself, only did a quick Google...

ShutUpLegs

My right foot cleat is at a most bizarre angle, and whenever I change shoes it takes me afew rides to get it comfy rather than looking 'right'.

Maybe do a couple of rides on flat pedals and make note of your knee/ foot positions when pedalling.

foo-fighter

thanks for that shutuplegs. i'll try that, and thanks for the extra info optimistic im hoping that these extenders will give me a bit more room if you know what i mean.

woolwich

AW cycles in Caversham have some knowledgeable and helpful staff and can give you a reasonable fitting.
Do you have access to a turbo trainer? These can be helpful for playing with set up as you can concentrate on the set up and look as such things without having to focus on the road. Also be sure to check what the effects of any change are at both the top and bottom of the stroke.
Good luck.

foo-fighter

i have been chatting to a guy i work with this morning about the problem i am having with my pedals and cleats causing me some problems. He has sugested i try some speedplay zeros as he thinks they may solve my problem of knee pain and pins and needles in my foot. Does anyone have any experience with theseor know if they may help my problem??
thanks

shane r

I'm a newbie so am prob under-qualified to comment but I know that improper seating can cause problems that manifest in tingling in the toes, especially if you seem to feel that it starts in one foot and 'spreads' to the other. I'd been inclined to think of some sort of circulation problem starting out at the top of your legs. How's your comfort in the saddle?

Also a possible for pins and needles in toes-velcro strap on road shoes and road shoe fit. My current shoes have only one strap at the top, where the 'bow' would normally go. On a recent ride I overtightened this strap and got pins and needles in toes within 8-9 miles. Loosened off, pins went.

just some more things to consider.

foo-fighter

thanks for that shane r i will try loosening of the straps as that may help,as for seat comfort i feel fine when im on the bike my hips dont rock from side to side when i pedal and the guy in evans who set it up for me seemed to think that everything was set up to suit me pretty well.

rozzer32

My advice is to get a bike fit. Speedplay pedals are great and its what I use but just winding the float all the way out isn't really a great fix to the problem. After my bike fit I now have no float in my speedplays and don't have any pain at all.

mikeq

Bike fit is the way to go. Could be your saddle is compressing the siatic nerve and causing the tingling, and this could be due to the way you are sitting due to cleats or not.

Does tingling go away/reduce when out the saddle, or get off the bike?

mr_poll

rozzer32 wrote:

My advice is to get a bike fit. Speedplay pedals are great and its what I use but just winding the float all the way out isn't really a great fix to the problem. After my bike fit I now have no float in my speedplays and don't have any pain at all.

Where did you get a bike fit and how much did it cost.

I have tweaked and changed my set up for a new bike, for the past month - stopped the knee pain but now after 30 miles or so I am getting lower back pain - get off the bike have a bite of cake and a drink and I am ok for another 15 miles or so but then its back. Got a feeling my stem is too long but at the minute I change one thing and then have to change another - perhaps its time for a professional opinion.

rick_chasey

Loosen your shoes.


Especially before you start spending money.

There are a lot of expensive solutions on here...

shane r

Rick Chasey wrote:

Loosen your shoes.


Especially before you start spending money.

There are a lot of expensive solutions on here...

Was thinking about this thread whilst out on my bike last night. How about your shorts? There isn't any chance the grippers are too tight around the thighs are they? Just another possible low-tech solution for your pins and needles.

foo-fighter

i'll try having my shoes a little looser when i go out ( next chance i get will be friday) and i enlisted the help of my wife to try and position my cleats right so you never know that may have solved the problem. if not a professional bike fit could well be on the cards.