Bike fit / correct riding position

Anyone know why my little toes get numb on 50k+ rides?
Starts on the little toes then creeps up to the next toes.

I get the same thing. It's very similar to something I used to get in in my hands which was compression of the ulnar nerve causing pins and needles in my pinky and half my ring finger (I fixed this by swapping to classic bend bars, not having the flat tops stopped me rotating my wrists inward and leaning on the outside of my palm)

My anatomy is total rubbish but is there a foot version of the ulnar nerve (fibular nerve?). the pins and needles of little toe and half the next toe is very similar. Continuing with this line of extremely tenuous thinking, maybe there's too much pressure on the outside of the foot, not enough arch support? I've also tried wider shoes and it made no difference.

What say you, internet bike fitters?

what is the optimum size shoe?
Should you wear a size bigger, as in running?

The one that fits. Your heal should not be sliding around.

I get the same thing. It's very similar to something I used to get in in my hands which was compression of the ulnar nerve causing pins and needles in my pinky and half my ring finger (I fixed this by swapping to classic bend bars, not having the flat tops stopped me rotating my wrists inward and leaning on the outside of my palm)

My anatomy is total rubbish but is there a foot version of the ulnar nerve (fibular nerve?). the pins and needles of little toe and half the next toe is very similar. Continuing with this line of extremely tenuous thinking, maybe there's too much pressure on the outside of the foot, not enough arch support? I've also tried wider shoes and it made no difference.

What say you, internet bike fitters?

Possibly poor cleat alignment.

I
What say you, internet bike fitters?

Consult your local GP to get a referral to a podiatrist.

The one that fits. Your heal should not be sliding around.

cheers!

what is the optimum size shoe?
Should you wear a size bigger, as in running?

Where did you hear this rule for running? A size bigger when running may result in blisters.

I ran two London Marathons, first was 3.40 ,2005 (for whizz kidz), 2nd 3.36, 2006 ( had beer and weed the night before) ,and I had gait anaysis at Run and become in Victoria, and they said wear a size bigger as yer feet swell, I ran the first in Brooks and then switched to asics, did the London half at Silverstone in 1,30, did the Tough Guy in Wolverhampton twice in Feb also, that was cold and wet
I used to train at Duke Mckenzie's boxing gym in the wilds of Croydon's Croydon at the time, which helped, a good guy, used to get me on the pads for 10 minute rounds

/csb

The reason I asked is I've worn exact fit on long rides on hot days and my feet have swollen causing discomfort, could be dehydration perhaps...

You should run in shoes that feel very slightly loose when you put them on. That may mean Your actual size With looser laces.

When running off road, and I dont mean gravel paths, you want Your shoes what is technically called 'bastard fecking tight'.

When cycling your feet probably swell less. Personally I find once I've been riding for 10 mins, I tighten my shoes a few clicks. As my feet have pushed more into the shoes.

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you ran marathons?
I over pronate slightly, so I had a sole insert, but threw it on the 1st marathon

I heard in days of yore bods used to carb load right up to the event, which for some poor souls l caused them to "follow through" en route, meaning they would have to stop and have a scoop out then carry on, so I the week before I balanced my diet
Anita Bean's book was of use

I'm a 42 normally, and the shoes I felt discomfort in were 42 sidi, I guess they are made smaller like Adidas compared to Nike

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you ran marathons?
I over pronate slightly, so I had a sole insert, but threw it on the 1st marathon

I have yes.

You pull up, push forward, pull back, and push down in cycling shoes. So you want a really snug fit. My last Bonts were a full size too small. For short rides they felt awesome. But obviously caused discomfort on longer stuff. So quite simply you want them to fit prefect in the shop. Then they'll probably work on the bike.

here's more re feet swelling whilst running
["I got some really bad blisters on my toes, plus one toenail turned black after my last long run. What can I do to avoid this in the marathon and in the future?

When we run, our feet swell, sometimes as much as a full shoe size. This is more a problem with beginners than experienced runners, since often their fluid-pumping systems are not fully developed. The longer we run in any one workout, the more the feet can swell. (This also is a problem with the hands of beginning runners.)

When feet swell, this forces the toes into the front of the toebox with unpleasant results. Proper shoe selection is the best preventative. Your running shoe size may not be the same as your street shoe size. But if you choose too large shoes, your feet may slide in the shoes causing more woes. As you continue as a runner, this should be less a problem."](http://www.active.com/articles/marathon-faq-with-hal-higdon-part-2)

I'm a 42 normally, and the shoes I felt discomfort in were 42 sidi, I guess they are made smaller like Adidas compared to Nike

Cyclying shoes are fecking stiff compared to running shoes. So they need to be the right shape. So try as many brands as possible.

I have yes.

You pull up, push forward, pull back, and push down in cycling shoes. So you want a really snug fit. My last Bonts were a full size too small. For short rides they felt awesome. But obviously caused discomfort on longer stuff. So quite simply you want them to fit prefect in the shop. Then they'll probably work on the bike.

I never buy in shop only over net, I a bargain monkey, will try a shop next time

I never buy in shop only over net, I a bargain monkey, will try a shop next time

Once you've found 'Your brand' this is obviously easy.

Cyclying shoes are fecking stiff compared to running shoes. So they need to be the right shape. So try as many brands as possible.

I have diadora, they are better, got an nos pair of chocolate brown Cinelli's with the brass pedal plate in my retro shoe collection, but they just too nice to ride in, I considered getting them done at a shoe smiths and wearing out witha pair of strides

i found them on the floor of a closing bike shop

Who makes size 52 SPD shoes? I've got Shimano M087s in size 52 (slightly too loose) and size 51 wide (slightly too small, got a numb big toe on tour). They're starting to die, so I'm looking at replacements. The M088 is the obvious choice, but is there anything else available?

Lake to a 50 but also do custom shoes so that may be an option. I do like their super wide shoes for my feet.

How much core strength does a cyclist need- is there a test - can do plank for ~3 minutes or similar?

I'm really fed up with this, it's the only thing that stops me doing longer distances.

I can do plank for 7 minutes and I get some of the symptoms you get during longer rides. There is much more to core strength than planking.

#Boastpost

Over the last few years I've been constantly sneaking my saddle up and forward. It makes for a positon of epic power delivery. Well, it feels that way.

As my mileage increased, and I started climbing more. My hamstrings went a bit crazy. Specifically at the butt Junction (technical term).

A couple weeks ago I loosened the quil thingie on my seatpost, and gave it a thumb. I estimate a 4mm lowering of saddle. My hamstrings havent complained since. So I will keep this set-up for a 542km sportive.

V.cheap, v.quick bikefit :)

/CSB

I can do plank for 7 minutes and I get some of the symptoms you get during longer rides. There is much more to core strength than planking.

#Boastpost

I started a one hand plank in 1997, swapping from right to left hand in late August 2006.

I started a one hand plank in 1997, swapping from right to left hand in late August 2006.

If you sit on the hand you're not using for a bit, before swapping. It'll feel like someone else is giving you a 'plank'.

#protip

~3 hours on the bike Tuesday night, deliberately slow/Z2, right hand trapezius/neck area was agony by the end.

Riding was on the hoods, very low power - so supporting a lot of weight on my hands.

How much core strength does a cyclist need- is there a test - can do plank for ~3 minutes or similar?

I'm really fed up with this, it's the only thing that stops me doing longer distances.

I think it could also be a postural thing.

How are you using your shoulders/neck?
Looking at this more holistically, you might want to consider the posture that you adopt for the 8+ hours a day you spend at a computer screen at work.

I know that if I've been working at a laptop at work, and then knock out a long ride, the my back will be fucked. If I've worked at a well set up desk, I can do the same distance on the same bike and be fine.

Also - messenger bags.

I estimate a 4mm lowering of saddle.

Estimate?!! What kind of a scientist are you? Go back and measure it properly.

Then neatly log it down somewhere.

Bloody amateurs...