Toes going a bit numb in Shimano cycling shoes

[Andy OH]

Chaps,

I need a bit of help/advice.

Sunday morning we did a 36 mile run and after about 10-12 miles my toes start to go a bit numb. I try to wiggle my toes which helps but the tingling still persists. My toes aren't completely numb but just get the tingling. Also I did a 15 mile short blast last night and at the same sort of distance had the tingling again.

My shoes are shimano R086 and I'm using shimano spd sl pedals. The shoes are not too small for me as I'm a 43 in trainers and other footwear and the Shimano shoes are a size 44. When I bought the shoes I did try the 43 but was too tight so went for the 44. This particular shoe also has a ratchet strap type thingy which is the strap at the top of the shoe. I've tried loosening it off but my feet thenmove too much in the shoe.

Has anyone any thoughts??

Thanks,

Andy

[Parrot of Doom]

Could be any number of things, posture on the saddle, knees, back. You'll have to start at the top and work your way down.

[itsnotarace]

I'm guessing your toes aren't pinched in the the shoes at the front? As in width/height?

Could also be due to cleat alignment, maybe move the cleats back a bit

[Roman]

I use the 'Imperial Stormtrooper' style RO86 shoes too.

Shimano shoes are very narrow fitting - especially at the toe so whereas my Scott road shoes are 46 and my Nike MTB shoes are 47, I had to get the size 48 Shimanos.

Frankly it looks like I'm wearing canoes on my feet but they are comfy and if any roadusers fail to see me or the bike at least they can't miss the shoes!

You could try moving the cleats back slightly alternatively, if too tight it may be worth stuffing something down into the toe of the shoe when storing to stretch that area or taking them to a cobbler to stretch the toes for you.

Edited by Roman on Thursday 22 April 10:23

[snotrag]

Try the cleat positioning - makes a big difference to my feet.

Move the cleats forward a touch (so your feet move back on the pedals) and try a long ride.

Also, check your not wearign thick socks that are causing any tightness?

[Uriel]

Someone on another forum I was just reading was talking about Shimano shoes needing to be heated in an oven and then heat mouled around your feet?

My toes are always numb when riding, but I put that down to the giant vent thing in the front that lets the freezing cold air blow right onto my feet.

[Andy OH]

Cheers chaps,
I'll try moving the cleats back a bit as I thought last night the cleats cold do with being moved back a touch.

[Roman]

Uriel said:

Someone on another forum I was just reading was talking about Shimano shoes needing to be heated in an oven and then heat mouled around your feet?

My toes are always numb when riding, but I put that down to the giant vent thing in the front that lets the freezing cold air blow right onto my feet.

I think it's a specific model of Shimano road shoe which is designed be heat moulded - the R140 or 160 or something similar.

Good point about the vent in the front - The RO86 has this feature but could be sealed & insulated with some tape & cork.

[fergus]

Andy OH said:

Cheers chaps,
I'll try moving the cleats back a bit as I thought last night the cleats cold do with being moved back a touch.

AOH, try and get the middle of the cleat aligned with the axle of the pedal. Also take out the insole from the shoe and whack some gaffer tape over the hole in the front of the toe box. Make sure your toe nails are all in check, as this can cause pressure on the nail bed, which will give similar symptoms.

Are you sure it's not something as simple as your feet getting cold? Try some thin insulating overboots for a ride, and I'll bet your numb toes go away!

[jodypress]

I can sympathise with you there Andy as I went through this last year when training for London to Paris. As soon as I started to up my normal ride on the weekend to over 30 miles, I started to fell pain in my right foot.

I went down the route of going to Mosquito bikes for a special fitting (wish I'd gone to Cycle fit in Covent garden, but fully booked) turns out my bike frame was too big and my shoe size was too small. I ended up splashing out on a new bike (well worth it) and the fully custom moulded Shimano shoes. (R310)

Still didn't fix the problem, so month before L2P, cyclefit got me in for a tune up, put some wedges under my cleats and I went for the proper custom footbed and seemed to do the trick. Would definitely recommend the guys at cyclefit, superb service and knowledge.

Trouble is I've just gone back to my Shimano's and good bike after using my winter get up and the pain has returned in the side of my right foot. Not sure what to really do. Am booked in with them again to see what I can tweak.

[Kenny.Junior]

I've got the same problem but not using cleats. Am 8 weeks into torn ligament injury in right foot/ankle & on physio advice am back riding. Wearing flat trainers (too painful trying to unclip from pedals) on Shimano 105 pedals, not ideal but best cam do for now. After about 12 miles i get the numb tingling sensation from ball of foot to tip of toes. maybe as previous post states it's a bike fit, back,leg,knee issue.

Didn't have problem before injury was just starting to use cleats.

Edited by Kenny.Junior on Thursday 22 April 20:40

[Kenny.Junior]

I've got the same problem but not using cleats. Am 8 weeks into torn ligament injury in right foot/ankle & on physio advice am back riding. Wearing flat trainers (too painful trying to unclip from pedals) on Shimano 105 pedals, not ideal but best cam do for now. After about 12 miles i get the numb tingling sensation from ball of foot to tip of toes. maybe as previous post states it's a bike fit, back,leg,knee issue.

Didn't have problem before injury & was just starting to use cleats.

Edited by Kenny.Junior on Thursday 22 April 20:40

[DamienCBR]

Just found this on the search function as was going to ask something similar.

I currently ride an MTB with SPD's. Have just ordered my first road bike and was going to fit M520 SPD's so i can use my existing shoes for a while until fund become available for new road pedals and shoes.

I am getting numbness in my little toes and the one next to it, i put it down to the fact that the spd is small so those toes dont do much. Is this correct or wrong. It has also been suggested to me that using road shoes will stop this but reading this thread i am now not so sure.

I have seen these http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod... would they help or should i invest in something like these http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod... and buy new shoes?

Cheers
D

[neil_bolton]

My right foot outside of the toes and ball always goes numb in my Shimano shoes - something to do with the shape I think. Never really had it with my Northwaves.

Hasn't stopped me from using them though, as I just change position on the bike to resolve it.

[Andy OH]

I moved my cleats back on my shoes and repositioned my saddle slightly and it seems to have done the trick. Went out yesterday for a quick 20 mile blast and had no problems with numbness at all.

Thanks to you guys for the advice and help.

Cheers,

Andy.

[DamienCBR]

I have worn some thinner socks and not done the shoes up so tight and it was much better. Did 30 miles the other day, 15 each way and there was only a slight tinge, i think moving the cleat might be the next approach.
D

[jodypress]

Just a quick update on my foot issue. Turns out my shoe was a standard fit, not the wide fit I should have. The shop that did the original foot setup are swapping them for a wide pair. I'd already purchased some Northwave shoes which are much wider and no foot pain at the weekend.

[GreenDog]

I've had the problem with tingling toes in the past, think it was caused by pressure on a nerve that runs along the foot. Specialized shoes used to have some feature to prevent it.