Numbness in my lower left leg/toes. Saddle?

nick9028
nick9028 Posts: 2
edited July 2014 in Road buying advice
Hi,

A month ago I bought a Trek Madone 4.6 54cm (I'm 5'9''). I had myself fitted at my LBS. I went to a longer stem 110mm, and left one spacer on the head tube. I ride 4-5 days a week.

I've moved my cleats side to side, fore and aft, at very small increments, and every time that I get warmed up about 20-25 min in I get the same exact numbness in my foot/toes, and somewhat traveling up my calf and the calf is just discomfort. That's what is happening to my left leg. In my little experience...I've always had some sort of tingle or numbness come...usually when pushing heavy on my gears on even my right side. This time I just can't figure out why I'm always bothered with my left leg. Now I'm moving more away from it being my shoes and cleat position to possible saddle issue. It's a Bontrager Affinity 2. Today, after I warmed up I got off my bike to get the feeling back in my feet and left leg. I got back on and posted up against a tree. I sat there to find a comfortable position and my left leg got a little tingly, but my right side was completely fine. There is also days where I ride 60 mile in a group and at one point I lost feeling in my groin until I got out of the saddle.

Is ANYONE else leaning towards more of a saddle issue? or could it be cleat position still?

V/R
NIck

Comments

  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    Could be related to the sciatic nerve (I'm talking as a complete non-expert). Your temporary symptoms are very similar to the more long-term symptoms my son has after damage to his sciatic nerve in a major pelvic bone operation. Given where the nerve runs, you could be correct that it might be your saddle that's causing it. But please take my input with caution.
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Piriformis syndrome? Saddle shape and position can be causes.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • jonny_trousers
    jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
    My foot numbness disappeared after a professional cleat fit.
  • Steve236
    Steve236 Posts: 212
    Jonny_Trousers wrote:
    My foot numbness disappeared after a professional cleat fit.
    What did the fitter change? Just cleat position or more (different cleats)?
    Interested as I also get numbness.
  • venster
    venster Posts: 356
    I had occasional numbness in my toes/foot that has disappeared since lowering my saddle 10mm - maybe coincidence but I was getting awful pressure under my gentleman's vegetables because the saddle was too high hence lowering it.
  • jonny_trousers
    jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
    Steve236 wrote:
    Jonny_Trousers wrote:
    My foot numbness disappeared after a professional cleat fit.
    What did the fitter change? Just cleat position or more (different cleats)?
    Interested as I also get numbness.

    Basically he just shunted the cleats as far forward as they would go. He used one of those kind if jig things. It wasn't very impressive science, but it was effective for me.

    Another thought that might help, try loosening the fastenings on your shoe a little. This solved a cramping issue I used to have and when I mentioned it to the bike fit guy he said that was fine and he had to do something similar.
  • cattytown
    cattytown Posts: 647
    Shoes a bit snug? Leg Length difference? Worn cleats?
    Giant Defy 2
    Large bloke getting smaller :-)
  • Steve236
    Steve236 Posts: 212
    Jonny_Trousers wrote:
    Steve236 wrote:
    Jonny_Trousers wrote:
    My foot numbness disappeared after a professional cleat fit.
    What did the fitter change? Just cleat position or more (different cleats)?
    Interested as I also get numbness.

    Basically he just shunted the cleats as far forward as they would go. He used one of those kind if jig things. It wasn't very impressive science, but it was effective for me.
    Really! Everything I've read has said to push them back which is what I've tried but hasn't really cured it. So the change put the pedal spindle more forward of the ball of your foot? I'll have to try that then....
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    Sliding the cleats forward has a similar effect to lowering the saddle (makes your "effective" leg longer - either because your foot points down slightly or because your leg and foot form two sides of a larger triangle) so it may be doing the same thing.
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • jonny_trousers
    jonny_trousers Posts: 3,588
    Steve236 wrote:
    Jonny_Trousers wrote:
    Steve236 wrote:
    Jonny_Trousers wrote:
    My foot numbness disappeared after a professional cleat fit.
    What did the fitter change? Just cleat position or more (different cleats)?
    Interested as I also get numbness.

    Basically he just shunted the cleats as far forward as they would go. He used one of those kind if jig things. It wasn't very impressive science, but it was effective for me.
    Really! Everything I've read has said to push them back which is what I've tried but hasn't really cured it. So the change put the pedal spindle more forward of the ball of your foot? I'll have to try that then....

    I was surprised too. I mentioned the numbness and he took one look at my cleats before setting to work sliding them forwards.

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