Numb extremities after rides?

[ishaw]

After a couple of recent rides I found I had either slightly numb hands (a slow but long jaunt with the family on single track/gravel), and a numb right big toe (after a shorter ride, but on my own so pushing hard).

Not really had this before (numb hands yes, but on a bone shaking Klein years ago). What's the likely cause and solution?

I not a fan of my current grips comfort wise, so a change here may be the solution, but a numb toe is a new one on me. Shoes are amp ion raid and are roomy, pedals are flat crank bros. Strange.....

 

[Imlach]

I am not sure what causes your numb toe situation. With grips I find that the if the grip is too thick you end up with numbness, I used to use foam grips for a long time and found that it helped with any numbness/soreness in the hand. In regards to the numb toe, I can only think that perhaps weather could have something to do with it. Hot weather can make our feet swell a fair bit, but you state that your shoes are roomy, so I'm not sure. Could just have been an odd riding position?

 

[mattr]

The low speed might have something to do with hands.
When you are pushing on your pedals, it takes load off your hands....

 

[mattbrown]

Re:

I had numb toes just because I was tightening one strap too tight on the 3 straps of the SPD shoe. Bit of trial and error to get the right feel when doing them up.

 

[Tootyred]

Re:

Numb toes can be a sign of a seat that not quite right. It can put pressure on nerves and arteries.

I only know this because my Mrs had the same problem in her toes on both feet. After changing the saddle it went completely away.

Leaning on the base of you hands can do the same. I find cycling with mates ( where we tend to be on road, slower and I'm not moving position so much) makes my fingers go numb. I did find that ergo grips helped on my pub bumbler hybrid.

 

[ishaw]

Re:

Going to swap the grips over I think. Saddle might also get replaced. Never had an issue with it on my previous build, not quite sure I have got the height or position quite right on this one yet. Will fettle and see how it goes.

 

[Markybeau]

Re:

I've found that when I get tired, particularly on longer rides, or if I'm pushing as hard as i can, for longer than i maybe should, I tend to clench the muscles in my feet. This has caused p&n that can take quite some time to dissipate post ride.

 

[ishaw]

Re:

It was my first proper ride in a while without kids in tow. Pushed hard from start to end, so your theory may be true. I'll see if the same happens again next time, as I enjoyed the route and will do it a few times to check on improvements to my fitness and ability.

 

[Bike Hoarder]

Re:

I've found more recently I can't ride with spuds for more than an hour - my toes go numb. I've tried 3 or 4 different pairs of shoes, brands and sizes, all the same. Yet I can ride for hours wearing DC/Vans skate shoes with platform/cage pedals (not tried clips and straps). I've bought some gel pads to put some cushioning between the balls of my feet and the cleat area of the shoe to see if that helps - yet to try it. I do suffer from Raynaud's Disease, poor circulation in fingers and toes leading to loss of sensation.

Also have carpal tunnel syndrome in my right wrist which causes severe pins and needles over a period of time - usually from vibrations through the handlebars, which can affect braking and control. This comes and goes depending on how much I use my hands at work (I have mixed duties of desk based, driving and manual dexterity work).

It's no fun getting older is it!

 

[Gruff]

Re:

I used to get numb fingers an awful lot so invested in more padded gloves and foam grips(i hate those ergo ones).
It actually made it worse so i got some ODI Attack grips and very thin roadie mitts and the numbness pretty much went away!
I suspect it was the padding or stitching for the pads in the gloves which just put pressure on a nerve or something.