Pins and needles

[jonny jeez]

Okay, so probably right to post this in fitness, but it's relevant to commuting. (for me at least)

I develop Pins and needles in my feet and hands after about 50 mins on the bike (or appx 15-18 miles). Specifically I get it in the left part of each hand (starting with the pinky) and from the ball of my feet to the tips of my toes (again more so on the outer left edge).

Its always at the same time/distance and always at the extremities and its really starting to spoil my enjoyment of the ride as the last bit becomes so uncomfortable. It also puts me off joining club/distance rides with mates

So, any tips for putting in more miles in comfort?

I have gel gloves (albeit a little old ones) and brand new "loose fitting" SPD shoes, I'm riding on drop bars, (mainly on the hoods), have carbon forks and my SPD pedals that are set comfortably.

The feet issue has come about since changing shoes so is no doubt related...but I am still interested to hear tips as I prefer the shoes (they don't creak)and they are already "loose"

Cheers all

 

[lejogger]

I occassionally get pins and needles issues when in the saddle for a while... feet more than hands however. I just try to change position as much as I can as sitting in a particular way for any length of time will cause issues. I alternate between drops and tops and this seems to do the trick.

Feet are more complicated as you obviously can't change their position too much (dependent on how loose the shoes and how much float on your cleats) but pain or discomfort there would suggest that they're not quite set up right.

 

[ttcycle]

Are you left or right footed jj? Are you getting issues on both hands and feet or just the left side?

If just left side- either your body is assymetrical in the way you're built up (get someone to help you measure yourself) or it's the way you're cycling ie I am left footed footed and before getting the cleats adjusted properly I used to have pins and needles radiating from the ball of my foot and it affected the bridge..yours may be the similar case of something entirely different.

Hands possibly the above suggestion..

It's hard to tell exactly as it could be so many factors.
Have you tried adjusting the tilt of the drops (IIRC your commuter is drop bar?) to come slightly more up and back towards you? Try a small adjustment of mms and see if this helps at all?

 

[Altus]

If its a modern road bike then for your hands you could also try flipping the stem. ie rotate it around 180degrees this should lift the bar height and bring the bars in slightly closer to you. Could be that you have too much weight forward on your hands?

 

[ttcycle]

If its a modern road bike then for your hands you could also try flipping the stem. ie rotate it around 180degrees this should lift the bar height and bring the bars in slightly closer to you. Could be that you have too much weight forward on your hands?

My feelings exactly...

either that or there's no hope and he should give the bike to one of us...

 

[BentMikey]

Wrong kind of bike, innit.

 

[fossyant]

Shoes tighter ? - Feet issue will be new shoes - try cleat adjustment fore/aft. Hands - how long have you had it - position on bike changed/too much pressure on hands. Road bars or straight ?

Hydration ? You drinking enough on/off the bike ?

 

[BentMikey]

Wrong kind of bike, innit.

When I first typed that I typoed and put Wong kind of bike.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

When I first typed that I typoed and put Wong kind of bike.

I love you.x

 

[jonny jeez]

Wrong kind of bike, innit.

meh...not bent enough for ya?

 

[jonny jeez]

I occassionally get pins and needles issues when in the saddle for a while... feet more than hands however. I just try to change position as much as I can as sitting in a particular way for any length of time will cause issues. I alternate between drops and tops and this seems to do the trick.

Feet are more complicated as you obviously can't change their position too much (dependent on how loose the shoes and how much float on your cleats) but pain or discomfort there would suggest that they're not quite set up right.

Are you left or right footed jj? Are you getting issues on both hands and feet or just the left side?

If just left side- either your body is assymetrical in the way you're built up (get someone to help you measure yourself) or it's the way you're cycling ie I am left footed footed and before getting the cleats adjusted properly I used to have pins and needles radiating from the ball of my foot and it affected the bridge..yours may be the similar case of something entirely different.

Hands possibly the above suggestion..

It's hard to tell exactly as it could be so many factors.
Have you tried adjusting the tilt of the drops (IIRC your commuter is drop bar?) to come slightly more up and back towards you? Try a small adjustment of mms and see if this helps at all?

Thanks guys (and Gals)

I think the nu shoes are the culprit for the feet, I'll see how i settle into them over the next 1000 miles or so. As far as the hands...it's always been an issue (even when riding my older MTB...with bar ends so pleanty of variation in position available).

but.

possibly related. i find my arse slides forward in the saddle over a few miles and I have to regularly shift myself back. Its as if I naturally shift into a position that the bike is not set to allow.

now, this suggests something...i just dont know what.

I guess I'm either too close or too far from the bars and perhaps too much pressure is on my hands.

 

[tongskie01]

my butt loves my bike seat.

 

[fossyant]

Is this chitty or a road bike ? Saddle angle also ?

 

[Graham]

I get similar problems. With tingly big toe and fingers.

With my feet, I think my shoes can be a bit tight and I put a lot of force through the balls of my feet (as opposed to the other way round) - I think you are meant to spread the load across your feet a bit i.e. across from the ball of your foot to your big toe - cleat adjustment needed maybe - I'd welcome some other thoughts on this.
I found www.stevehoggbikefitting.com, which is very detailed on this point.

With my hands, I think its coz I'm reaching to far forward. I put a shorter headset on and that has helped a bit - It's made me more upright so less weight on my wrists. Gel pads help to some extent, but I think you can put too much pressure on the nerves travelling through your wrists (carpal tunnel syndrome). However, I still dont ride with my hands on the hoods - My natural hand position is about a couple on inches behind them so still too much reach. I also end up on the end of the saddle sometimes - Crap bike choice maybe, but I have a short torso and long legs.

 

[fimm]

If you're sliding forwards on your saddle, this suggests it is tilted forwards - can you set it level? (I know saddle angle can cause numbness issues in other parts of a gentleman's anatomy, though...)