Aching feet from SPD shoes

[MattL]

I bought a pair of Shimano SPD shoes. (See attached.) After riding for about 90 mins, my feet start to ache a bit and go a little numb. The shoes themselves are comfortable and fit nicely so there's no slipping or movement between foot and shoe. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what it might be? I'm partly thinking it's because I'm now riding "properly" with my feet in the correct position and I'm used to my old way and this is my body getting used to the new peddling technique. I also thought it could be the position of the cleat in the shoe, although they are right on the ball of each foot. Could it be the seat position which is affecting the angle of my feet on the pedals?

As you can see, I'm a bit lost as to where to start. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[Spinney]

I bought a pair of Shimano SPD shoes. (See attached.) After riding for about 90 mins, my feet start to ache a bit and go a little numb. The shoes themselves are comfortable and fit nicely so there's no slipping or movement between foot and shoe. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what it might be? I'm partly thinking it's because I'm now riding "properly" with my feet in the correct position and I'm used to my old way and this is my body getting used to the new peddling technique. I also thought it could be the position of the cleat in the shoe, although they are right on the ball of each foot. Could it be the seat position which is affecting the angle of my feet on the pedals?

As you can see, I'm a bit lost as to where to start. Any help is much appreciated.

Are you sure you haven't got them done up too tight?

Slipping and movement (which you don't have) is more likely to cause blisters and sore spots rather than a general ache.

When cycling in a fairly stiff-soled pair of trainers I sometimes used to get shooting pains in the toes and occasional numbness (no idea why). With my SPDs (which look very similar to yours), if this happens I just pull my feet up for a few pedal strokes and wiggle my toes - something you obviously cannot do with normal trainers!

I would have thought (but no expert) that having the cleats in the wrong position on the shoe would be more likely to induce aches and pains in ankles/knees rather than a general ache in the feet.

 

[Piemaster]

I get it too after extended periods in similar shimanos. I put it down to them being very narrow and as I spend as much time as possible barefoot (or in barefoot shoes) my feet obviously aren't. Could do with some wider fitting ones really.

I also have some exustar spd sandals, which are a fair bit wider and not as tight. Never had any numb toes problems with them.

 

[MattL]

Following up on this, I did two things before going out today: adjusted my seat after watching some videos and I ended up lowering mine about an inch and I didn't do my shoes up as tight as I have done previously and I didn't get as much numbness. I was out for about 3 hours so that's a good sign. One of these things (or a combination of the two) seems to have helped.

 

[Panter]

Good stuff. I've never resolved my issue with this, even trying different shoes and pedals doesn't help.
I do have feet like Coco the clown though, they just don't make cycling shoes that big!

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Following up on this, I did two things before going out today: adjusted my seat after watching some videos and I ended up lowering mine about an inch and I didn't do my shoes up as tight as I have done previously and I didn't get as much numbness. I was out for about 3 hours so that's a good sign. One of these things (or a combination of the two) seems to have helped.

It guess you could put the saddle back to the original position and try again. That way you have removed one change from the equation and will know for certain.

 

[Dayvo]

'Hot foot' is an uncomfortable feeling a lot of cyclists experience (me included).

Have a read of these links for some advice:

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/default.asp?pg=fullstory&id=4249

http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/article/health-protect-yourself-from-foot-pain-23267/

http://www.ultracycling.com/equipment/setup.html and scroll down to 'pedals'.