Pins and needles...

[parklaneyido]

So I went out for my first proper ride with the clipless pedals and loved it! So effortless compared to flats. I shaved 17 minutes off of my PB around a 10 mile loop I do after work. 17!!!!

Now, I did experience pins and needles in my feet after a couple of miles though. Is this common while getting used to them? The shoes fit perfectly and the cleats are postioned in a comfortable pedalling position so I can't see how it'd be either of those. Any suggestions to cure this for next time?

 

[montage]

Shoes are too tight? Could still possibly be cleats :S

 

[punkypossum]

It might just be a case of getting used to them - I found I was tensing up my feet on the first few rides when I went clipless and ended up with cramps in my feet... Sorted itself pretty quickly...

 

[ianrauk]

Try moving the cleat a couple of mm's sideways (towards the P&N's) see if that helps.
Also PunkyP makes a good point, try to relax your feet when pedalling.

 

[parklaneyido]

Try moving the cleat a couple of mm's sideways (towards the P&N's) see if that helps.
Also PunkyP makes a good point, try to relax your feet when pedalling.

I will give that a go. I moved them to as far to the outside of my foot as possible when I got them as I found my feet pointing inwards when pedalling. I'll moved them back in a tad

 

[ianrauk]

If your feet are pointing inwards you could also angle the cleat...

 

[parklaneyido]

If your feet are pointing inwards you could also angle the cleat...

I didn't think of that, thanks. Damn, I am too nooby for this

 

[yenrod]

Sit on an elevated seat so your feet are off the ground.

Then notice the position ?!!!!

Use similiar position for cleats on shoes/which way your feet point...

Don't ride with your feet tensed in any way as this can cause you all sorts of prob never mind in your fet but also morphologically - even in your back / neck etc...

Massage/rub your legs up towards you heart after a ride perhaps as this can ease the effort of your ride ??!?!???

 

[gbb]

Sit on an elevated seat so your feet are off the ground.

Then notice the position ?!!!!

Use similiar position for cleats on shoes/which way your feet point...

Don't ride with your feet tensed in any way as this can cause you all sorts of prob never mind in your fet but also morphologically - even in your back / neck etc...

Massage/rub your legs up towards you heart after a ride perhaps as this can ease the effort of your ride ??!?!???

I can echo this...when i started going clipless, i suffered cramped feet / numbness. I realised i was bunching my toes....relax them as you ride and it solved my problem.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Another vote for this. Do check how tight the shoes are as well though.

I can echo this...when i started going clipless, i suffered cramped feet / numbness. I realised i was bunching my toes....relax them as you ride and it solved my problem.

 

[cyberknight]

Shoes are too tight? Could still possibly be cleats :S

I had the exact same problem when i first went to spuds, i found that my feet were literally numb after a few miles. In the end i sold the nice shiny shoes i got for x mas on ebay and got a pair the next size up,voila problem solved for me anyway .
I remember reading somewhere that your feet can swell up 1/4 size when on the road so if like me your a size x just fits or again like me wear boots / trainers a lot you might need the extra width the next size gives you.

 

[fossyant]

Cycling shoes..rule of thumb...at least 1 size up on normal shoes, and maybe two...

Spesh are wide - I'm a size up with them. Lake are narrow - I am 2 sizes up.

I no longer use my Sidi's as my feet are wider than when I bought them many years ago....(Sidi's are a narrow fit)...

 

[ianrauk]

Shimanos are also a tight fit.

 

[yenrod]

Northwaves are wide.

Sidi are one of the narrowest around but you can stretch them. And they become very comfortable.

I did once own a pair of Shimano MTB shoes and they were not too bad for width.

I don't go with the up one size as this compromises the power you will get out of the shoes = too much play aroubnd your foot whilst its in the shoes and it won't fit properly !

 

[HJ]

Spesh BG are also a wider fit...