Numb toes

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Foot muscle fatigue as a cause

Numbness and tingling toes when cycling

However, numbness in the toes when cycling can be triggered by a variety of factors. The cause can be in the spine, the sit bones, the knee or the foot and toe joint.

Cause: fatigue of the foot muscles

SQlab solution: Arch support with insoles

When foot muscle fatigue is the cause

When riding a bike, the foot is not subjected to the same forces as when walking. The pedaling motion tires the foot and causes it to lose its natural arch, resulting in additional compression in the area of the metatarsophalangeal joints. Nerve branches and blood vessels are constricted and the toes begin to tingle or go numb.

The SQlab insoles support the arch of the foot in the forefoot with a pad that lifts the transverse arch and slightly spreads the toes. This support counteracts muscle fatigue and enables regular blood flow to the toes.

Based on the foot type determination and thus according to the different foot types and the special requirements when cycling, we have developed insoles in three different shapes that support the respective weak points of the foot.

Determine your foot type

Cleat adjustment as cause

Numb toes while cycling

The correct position of the cleats depends on the individual foot skeleton. For an optimal power transmission, they should be mounted on the shoe in such a way that the pedal axle, when clicked in (see figure), runs between the big toe joint and the small toe joint.

Cause: incorrect cleat setting

SQlab solution: correct setting

When the wrong cleat setting is the cause

Cleats too far forward = numb toes

If the cleat tends to be mounted further forward, the leverage of the foot increases and with it the proportion of force from the calf muscles. At the same time, however, the calf muscles tire more quickly, the Achilles tendon is subject to greater strain and there is more pressure on the vessels in the toe area, which can lead to numb toes.

Cleats too far back = burning and painful soles

If the cleat tends to be positioned further back on the shoe, the calf muscles are less strained. However, the pedals can press into sensitive soft tissue and the attachments of the short foot muscles, which in turn can lead to burning pain.

Cleat adjustment

Lateral position of the cleats

Also in the lateral direction, the cleat can be easily adjusted on the shoe. For the correct positioning, it is important here to note the natural foot position. People with rather small feet and a parallel foot position can screw the cleat slightly further out on the shoe. In this way, the feet come further inwards on the pedal and the Q-factor can be reduced. People with a natural V shaped foot position (this is very common) or generally with larger feet must mount the cleat on the shoe further inside. That way the shoe is further out on the pedal and the heel has enough space to pass the crank and the chain stay. With a strong V-position and a shoe size beyond 44, the adjustment range of the cleats is often no longer sufficient to fix the foot in a natural position on the pedal. In this case SQlab recommends the use of pedals with longer axles.

Pedal concept