Anyone else suffer from dead toes on long rides?

[buggi]

it's your middle strap that is too tight. loosen the middle strap and the strap nearest your toes, and only keep the top one (nearer the ankle) tighter. This used to happen to me all the time until i learned this. everytime i forget, within about 10 minutes my toes go dead, and i just lean down and loosen the middle strap.

 

[SWSteve]

Have you tried giving yourself plenty of sock around the toe before putting shoe on so it doesn't get pulled very tight when putting shoe on? Also try wearing shoe a little looser

 

[vickster]

it's your middle strap that is too tight. loosen the middle strap and the strap nearest your toes, and only keep the top one (nearer the ankle) tighter. This used to happen to me all the time until i learned this. everytime i forget, within about 10 minutes my toes go dead, and i just lean down and loosen the middle strap.

My main shoes don't have a middle strap, they have laces.

 

[Saluki]

I have totally given up with my cycling socks and have trainer socks from Tesco, they are lightweight and are in a breathable material. I find my feet are much happier with them on. Cycling socks will be better in the winter as my feet won't fatten up due to the heat then.

I have faffed with my seat and cleats and, although my toes go less numb after a longer time, I have not got rid of the numb tootsies totally. I find getting off the bike after an hour and having a wee rest for 2 or 3 minutes does the trick for me.

 

[vickster]

I don't mind the numbness really, but the pain isn't good! I need to get some financial crap sorted, then I'll be getting a fit

 

[buggi]

what kind of shoes do you have? i would hate to see you spend £100s on a carbon stiff race shoe only to discover that Wiggle's dhb brand do a pretty good version for £40. My first pair were Specialized (£100) and i had numb toes, don't get numb toes with wiggle's shoes so don't be too rash, try other tips first.

i have mtb spuds. some of my friends prefer the Look type pedal because it gives a wider surface area to put their foot on and is more comfortable (i've never been able to feel the spd pedal but they say they can). It might be a change of pedal/cleat system might do the trick.

 

[Widge]

Some intersting obs............I think the recent spate of hot weather is certainly exacerbating feet type problems. I haven't (yet) experienced numb-toe, but was in the most EXCRUCIATING agony one night last week with ball-of-foot pain unlike anything I have experienced before. I DO have have outrageously flat feet...but cycling has never as yet aggravated this. I have taken it easy for a few days - but they are still sore.

I don't ride clipped so am unqualified to give an opinion on this....but certainly.....'HOT' feet....too tight shoes.....unsympathetic socks ........are all areas worth reviewing IMO.

 

[Hill Wimp]

what kind of shoes do you have? i would hate to see you spend £100s on a carbon stiff race shoe only to discover that Wiggle's dhb brand do a pretty good version for £40. My first pair were Specialized (£100) and i had numb toes, don't get numb toes with wiggle's shoes so don't be too rash, try other tips first.

i have mtb spuds. some of my friends prefer the Look type pedal because it gives a wider surface area to put their foot on and is more comfortable (i've never been able to feel the spd pedal but they say they can). It might be a change of pedal/cleat system might do the trick.

I have a pair of Specialized MBTs. The fit itself is good if that doesn't sound daft after the question i have posed which makes me think it may be my foot/cleat/pedal positioning.

Will def be looking at all the things you have all kindly mentioned this weekend and see if i can restore foot harmony.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Some intersting obs............I think the recent spate of hot weather is certainly exacerbating feet type problems. I haven't (yet) experienced numb-toe, but was in the most EXCRUCIATING agony one night last week with ball-of-foot pain unlike anything I have experienced before. I DO have have outrageously flat feet...but cycling has never as yet aggravated this. I have taken it easy for a few days - but they are still sore.

I don't ride clipped so am unqualified to give an opinion on this....but certainly.....'HOT' feet....too tight shoes.....unsympathetic socks ........are all areas worth reviewing IMO.

I had such problems, exacerbated by intense heat and cold. I was at a diner, and was terribly stricken by this, when my wife took me to the clinic. A small black line across the joint of the toe was all the physician needed to see. They sent me for blood work and I was given a diagnosis of gout. Controllable with medication (Allopurinol) but not curable.

 

[beeblemaster]

Glad it's not just me. I'm a toe tenser too and have to concentrate to relax them!

I too prefer trainer socks and feel more comfortable, which probably suggests my problem is the smaller fit of the Shimano shoes.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

I have a pair of Specialized MBTs. The fit itself is good if that doesn't sound daft after the question i have posed which makes me think it may be my foot/cleat/pedal positioning.

Will def be looking at all the things you have all kindly mentioned this weekend and see if i can restore foot harmony.

I have the Specialized Comp MTB Shoes like these:

and used to find that if I did the bottom 2 straps up tight I would get numb toes, so now I just nip up the top strap with the lever but no too tight and leave the bottom 2 straps fairly loose and all is good

 

[e-rider]

I do have good fitting cycle shoes but im finding that i get dead toes after 20 or so miles. Anyone got any tips to stop it ?

I've never suffered from this problem but everyone is different - I've had plenty of different problems on the bike over the years. However, I once had a pair of specialized mtb shoes that really hurt my feet from day 1, changed shoes and problem went straight away.

 

[e-rider]

what kind of shoes do you have? i would hate to see you spend £100s on a carbon stiff race shoe only to discover that Wiggle's dhb brand do a pretty good version for £40. My first pair were Specialized (£100) and i had numb toes, don't get numb toes with wiggle's shoes so don't be too rash, try other tips first.

i have mtb spuds. some of my friends prefer the Look type pedal because it gives a wider surface area to put their foot on and is more comfortable (i've never been able to feel the spd pedal but they say they can). It might be a change of pedal/cleat system might do the trick.

Wiggles dhb brand is pretty crap IMO - I tried lots of dhb products mainly becasue the price was so good - disappointed with almost all of them and now I just never go near dhb!

 

[Gravity Aided]

Wool Socks.