Numb feet

[tonycollinet]

Two rides in, and I'm getting numb feet from the ball down to the toes. Clearly something wrong with my pedalling style. I suspect I'm pushing with both legs all the time. If I am, then as well as causing numb feet it has to be spectacularly inefficient.

Suggestions?

[rower40]

This happens to me too.  But it also occurs on upright bikes - although after a longer distance.

Sometimes on the 'bent, my feet start to tingle after only a few miles; other times, it's right towards the end of the ride.  I've not been able to determine a common factor for the former.

[arvid]

When this happens to me I loosen the front end of my shoe a bit, which usually solves it quite quickly. I've learned not to tighten the front velcro too tight.
Tingling = lack of blood flowing, most likely caused by shoes too tight.

[tonycollinet]

Same shoes (boots) as on my upright. Same tightness. Don't get it on the upright, so it is something to do with how I am using my feed on the trike.

[Furious]

Yebbut, your feet are elevated on a recumbent = less blood flow..?

[Kim]

Not something I generally suffer from, and when I do, it's usually on an upright (though I suspect that's more to do with what bike I tend to use in cold weather than anything geometry related).  +1 to loosening shoes for improved circulation, though.

Spinning a lower gear is probably a good idea for breaking the habit of pushing with both feet.  A bit of one-legged pedalling practice might help, also.

[RichForrest]

You may find if you use cleats that moving them right back towards the middle of your foot helps.
This may be a problem if you need to use them for an upright aswell though

[numbnuts]

only numb feet you should be so lucky <----------

[jogler]

I have experienced this at various times to a greater & lesser degree.I have not sussed a pattern or particular cause:however I can say with certainty that it is less frequent & less likekly to occurr when I use Shimano sandals with cleats.
The cleats on the sole of the sandal do not penetrate the sole in the same way that they do on other cycling shoes I use.

[henshaw11]

On the mtb I'd normally do the front two straps up so they're a close fit - I find on the recumbent I don't need them so tight, and if they are then I get numb toes, whereas left looser I don't.

[Auntie Helen]

I got this badly when I first started triking, particularly in my big toes. Gradually the time elapsed before it increased and now I almost never get it, even on 100 mile rides.  Think it's because my feet are up in the air and not moving about at all.

[tonycollinet]

Thanks for the suggestions all. I also got a call from Kevin with some useful advice. Will try it all step by step, and see what develops.

Cheers.

[Furious]

What was the advice?

[Hot Flatus]

only numb feet you should be so lucky <----------

Have you tried rubbing Deep Heat on them?

[tonycollinet]

What was the advice?

Try my old pedals off the MTB (Looser fit)
Try my other shoes
Spin
Spin
Spin
Then change down a bit.
Some similar suggestions as above

[recumbentim]

Take you feet off pedals and move them up and down close to the road .Lets the blood rush back in .
works for me.

[tonycollinet]

Better on today's ride (old looser pedals, and boot straps loosened slightly)

I have also learned the importance of accurate boom alignment to vertical. Hurts when it's not.