1st time on a recumbent, toes going numb??

Hello my fellow riders, I registered yesterday, cause I bought my first recumbent over the weekend. it's a Vision R45, and I took it out this morning for the first time, it was pretty easy to ride considering it is my first time, and I truly enjoyed the ride. I am loving it so far, the only issue I had was that after a few miles my toes started getting numb on me. My question is, is this normal, and if so will it eventually stop, or do I need to do something, like change my shoes or??? : any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, and its a pleasure to read all your threads and be a part of this forum.

 

to our forum, glad you have joined up. You might want to do a search on the site in the health section. I think that there may be a tread on the "numb toe" already. If not I am sure there are plenty of friendly folks here willing to give you some suggestions. For me, it was as simple as changing the type of shoe and taking breaks long enough to keep my circulation moving correctly.

 

If loosening the shoes doesn't work, buy some insoles. They will spread the pressure across your entire foot reducing foot pressure.

 

This Is one of the reasons many 'Clip In'

I got Numb toe in my Teva Sandles,
My much stiffer New Balance walking shoes fixed 99% of it.
Looking carefully at the location of the pedal axle and getting that right
under the ball of my foot took care of the last 1% of numb toe.
Basically I took my normal foot position that I thought was on the mark
and moved my foot back on the pedal another 1/2"..

Foot ball cleat shoes are generally stiffer,
a good cheap test if you can find used ones at Good will just to try before
Investing in clipless pedals and shoes.

A stiffer soul distributes the pressure load.
A wider flat pedal (My Choice) helps also.

I tried clipless, not my thing, I was lucky to have a friend that had an older system he could let me try out
before I spent the coins. I don't need that last ounce of power and efficiency
and don't want to Invest several hundred dollars on such gear.
Besides I have ridden my bent out to the Woods, locked it to a tree and taken long walks,
Hard to do in most clipless biking shoes..

If you go down the Clipless rabbit hole take your time, don't overlook some of the mountain bike clipless
soft shoes,, there is all kinds of new tech out there...

FIX this, Take care of them feets

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bike-pedals.html

 

welcome to both the webpage and the numb foot and aching butt club.

 

Hi All,

I used to get a hot spots and numbing until I did the following

1. Laced the shoes without using the bottom set of lace holes.
2. Laced the shoes loosely.
3. When tying the shoes I do not sinch them up.
4. Put in some insoles (blue SuperFeet) in both my shoes and sandals.

Numbers 1, 2 & 3 took care of the numbing. During exercise the feet swell, and because how I was lacing and tying my shoes I was preventing the natural expansion of the feet.

Number 4 took care of the hot spot, as said before the insoles spread the pressure out.

I started wearing a new pair of sandals this year without putting the insoles in and did not have any trouble while riding my DF hybrid, but on my trike a different story. HOT SPOT after about 10 miles. Moved the insoles from the old sandals to the new and all is good again.

If I recall correctly I have been riding with the loose shoes and insoles since 2004 or 2005.

Gary

 

numb toes

Hello my fellow riders, Thank you all for your greetings, and your advise. I bought sandals, and so far so good. I also want to buy the insoles, but love riding in sandals, feet feel great. I will let you know how the insoles treat me.

Happy riding! Be safe.

 

I have these too. Mine are 6 years old and still going strong. They are pricey but when you consider hot spots go away and they last forever, they are a bargain. And you can move them from shoe to shoe!

 

Where did you guys get them? You've done peaked my interest as well.

 

AD +1

Most cycling shoes are too narrow. Riding a bent seems to cause foot problems for some. Do as I do, clear at the bottom of the laces if you have them leave them loose enough that your finger will fit under them then tie the tops only moderately tight.

 

I don't use the bottom set of holes when lacing the shoes.

Gary