Post 20
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Clipless - still got numb feet
- Thread starter Doobiesis
- Start date
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Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
Ooops, I didn't read this question.
That's another subject that I can't claim any expertise in so I'm not stating that as a fact, but it seems to be the consensus.
Probably, yes. We often have endless discussions about the performance advantages of clipping in and the consensus seems to be that it's minimal at best.
That's another subject that I can't claim any expertise in so I'm not stating that as a fact, but it seems to be the consensus.
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S-Express
Guest
Well then the OP will have to clear it up, won't she - because those are two conflicting statements.
S-Express
Guest
I don't think that's a quote from me?
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
Don't know how that happened. I'll edit.
gasinayr
Über Member
- Location
- Ayr Scotland
I had a similar problem a few years ago and after various visits to hospitals, doctors, accipunturists and so on. I finally discovered that I am allergic to red wine. The tannings in the wine were affecting my anti-inflamatory acids causing the problem, no red wine no pain.!
CanucksTraveller
Macho Business Donkey Wrestler
- Location
- Hertfordshire
What replacement are you putting in the bidons now?
Globalti
Legendary Member
There's so much to get right when you start cycing more seriously and shoe fit is only one aspect of bike fit. Uncomfortable or over-tight shoes can cause misery or even injury over long rides.
Anybody who has converted to clip-in pedals knows the advantage they give you in delivering a smooth power stroke and keeping you connected with the bike, especially in moments of extreme effort. In order to do this the shoes need to have stiff soles that don't flex under effort and snug-fitting uppers so as to ensure that any upward or circular effort gets transmitted to the pedals as efficiently as the downward. Few people pedal with their legs moving in a perfectly perpendicular plane so a clip-in pedal needs to allow some float or rotation of the foot otherwise knee discomfort and damage will happen.
There's plenty on the web about getting the cleats at the right angle on the shoes so as to ensure your feet are in a nautural posture on the pedals.
Shoe fit is a difficult area as everybody's feet are a different shape but most riders can manage with an off the shelf average-shaped shoe, which will conform slowly to the shape of their foot. Shaped footbeds can improve fit and comfort. Skiers know that to try to improve an ill-fitting ski boot by tightening the clamps will just cut off the blood supply causing cold, pain and even nerve damage. The boot or shoe needs to hold the foot snugly but gently and so it's not worth persevering with a shoe that's completely the wrong shape or size. Wearing a shoe for a long time will improve the fit to some extent as the materials will stretch over time, especially when damp. Mountaineers knew this when leather boots were common. Once the shoe is the right shape you can wear thinner socks but with anything other than a snug fit you need thicker socks so as to take up the difference in shape. A thick loop-pile sock will do this. As somebody else wrote above, cycling shoes can easily be adjusted on the move by reaching down and tightening or loosening the binding system and often you'll need to tighten during a ride as the shoe warms up, gets damp and stretches.
Hope this helps.
Anybody who has converted to clip-in pedals knows the advantage they give you in delivering a smooth power stroke and keeping you connected with the bike, especially in moments of extreme effort. In order to do this the shoes need to have stiff soles that don't flex under effort and snug-fitting uppers so as to ensure that any upward or circular effort gets transmitted to the pedals as efficiently as the downward. Few people pedal with their legs moving in a perfectly perpendicular plane so a clip-in pedal needs to allow some float or rotation of the foot otherwise knee discomfort and damage will happen.
There's plenty on the web about getting the cleats at the right angle on the shoes so as to ensure your feet are in a nautural posture on the pedals.
Shoe fit is a difficult area as everybody's feet are a different shape but most riders can manage with an off the shelf average-shaped shoe, which will conform slowly to the shape of their foot. Shaped footbeds can improve fit and comfort. Skiers know that to try to improve an ill-fitting ski boot by tightening the clamps will just cut off the blood supply causing cold, pain and even nerve damage. The boot or shoe needs to hold the foot snugly but gently and so it's not worth persevering with a shoe that's completely the wrong shape or size. Wearing a shoe for a long time will improve the fit to some extent as the materials will stretch over time, especially when damp. Mountaineers knew this when leather boots were common. Once the shoe is the right shape you can wear thinner socks but with anything other than a snug fit you need thicker socks so as to take up the difference in shape. A thick loop-pile sock will do this. As somebody else wrote above, cycling shoes can easily be adjusted on the move by reaching down and tightening or loosening the binding system and often you'll need to tighten during a ride as the shoe warms up, gets damp and stretches.
Hope this helps.
OP
OP
Doobiesis
Über Member
- Location
- Poole Dorset
I have my new saddle on bike and have read about putting your shoes in the right position, by letting your feet dangle off a table with your knees at a 90 degree angle. You then replicate the cleats so that the shoe is going in the same direction. I have spent the day getting all this correct. And setting my new saddle up. I'll go out first thing and let you know how it goes. I will not be over tightening my shoes, but tbh I don't think I was doing this anyway, they're snug in my shoe not overly tight.
Dawn X
Ps, my feet dangle inwards, quite a bit.
Dawn X
Ps, my feet dangle inwards, quite a bit.
OP
OP
Doobiesis
Über Member
- Location
- Poole Dorset
jay clock
Massive member
- Location
- Hampshire UK
You can have them pretty darned loose without a problem in my experience. Try it
OP
OP
Doobiesis
Über Member
- Location
- Poole Dorset
Ok - what I changed was thicker socks, moved cleats to match my natural foot hang and saddle.
Only did a short 16 miler - feet slightly numb at toes but no excruciating pain when I stopped for a drink I didn't have to dis lodge from my shoes or feel the urge to throw them! And when I released my feet for five mins they went back to normal.
I feel I'm almost there. Maybe I felt socks were a bit too thick. So Monday I'm going to wear my normal socks see what happens.
Only did a short 16 miler - feet slightly numb at toes but no excruciating pain when I stopped for a drink I didn't have to dis lodge from my shoes or feel the urge to throw them! And when I released my feet for five mins they went back to normal.
I feel I'm almost there. Maybe I felt socks were a bit too thick. So Monday I'm going to wear my normal socks see what happens.
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