Hi everyone - time to call upon all of your vast knowledge

Just realised that my Shimano M520 SPD pedals might be causing the numbness in my front feet area due to higher pressure point of contact with pedal.  Had these for about 6 months and the cold is really getting to feet whilst riding and once me feet are cold then thats all I think about - cold feet cold feet...I've got cold feet.  It cant be shoes as I have a pair of Specialized BG shoes, a pair of specialized BG boots and a pair of northwave goretex boots - its worse with the northwaves and I put this down to the narrower profile of the boot.

Looking at getting some platform SPD type pedals and was looking at the following:

Time Z Control Freeride - seen em now for £30 and are faves at the mo due to friendliness to Knees - I suffer a bit with knee trouble after surgery 10 year ago.

Any one got any ideas!

I know i'll have to get more cleats but I can do that once i'm satisfied they work - if not they can become my work bike pedals - shame to waste on work though.

Gaz

Sounds like the shoes don't fit properly to me.

Bearing in mind the cold feet will be due to the shoes/sock combination than the pedals. 

I use the time alium pedals and as someone who has/had grea

t difficulty getting his head around even using spd type pedals i really think they are great.  I dont really buy into the platform spds as i think its down to the shoe myself.

I get cold feet/numb feet sometimes and when i actually think about it when riding its because i tend to stop moving my toes and jam them in.  I find that a little movement of my toes and concentrating on keeping the foot relaxed helps my circulation etc.  This could all be solved by a better fitting pair of shoes but then i dont have the money and i have rather narrow feet which cause this in most shoes i wear.

Thanks Luke and Hobo

I'd have said the shoes as well, but I've had them for about 18 months and only noticed this trouble in the last 3 to four months - Only had the pedals about 6 months so bit of a delay in noticng the problem and realising that the pedals might be the problem.

I used to have problems with Shimano shoes - narrow width would cause lack of circulation everytime I went out no matter the weather.

Still think its the pedals as the cold and numbness starts from the cleat and then just numbs the front of the foot - get off the bike and circulation starts back after about 5 mins of walking about.

Gaz

Two things,

Are you wearing thicker socks now then summer and do you have the same problem in summer. I had a similar thing until I realsed the laces off to taken account of the extra thickness.

If you have the same problem in summer with thin socks look at you shoes.

Hi Whippet

Use same socks - I believe with the exertion of cycling the blood should pump round the body no matter what, as long as its not restricted of course.  The cold and numbness is on the bottom of the foot as well not on the sides or anything like that.

The only thing thats changed in the last year is the pedals and of course the weather!

Gaz

Hi Whippet

Could be but then all my feet would be cold not the bottom front portion.

I have tried different thickness socks - same result.

Gaz

Hi Mike

Thanks for your input on this

Cant be the shoes mate as I have wide fitting specialized shoe and boots, problem happens with any of the shoes, in exactly the same area of the foot.

Shoes and boots = same for last 18 months

Socks, various thicknesses = Same for last 18 months

Pedals on Sunday bike and work bike, exactly the same, only had for last 6 months and problems arising in last 3 - 4 months.

Been through two winters with current set up apart form pedals = Must be pedals so thinking that platforms might release the pressure on the bottom of foot.  Used to have platforms and no problems, feet would only get cold all over due to lacing up to tightly in extreme cold conditions.

Gaz

Hi Mike

Arches are ok bud, never had problems in that department.

Gaz

Now that you have assured us its not the shoes i would recommend Times.  I like the way they work and are very friendly on your knees.

Used to get a bit of footache when I used shimano spd's,felt like my foot was bending around the pedal.Swopped to egg beaters & the problem went away,also very friendly on your knees too.

Don't believe all the BS about them being unreliable either,just pump a bit of grease in them once a month(takes all of a couple of minutes) & they last for ages.Mine are still going strong after 2 years,100+ miles a week & all off road..

Cheers Hobo and macslight

The Time's do look like a good option.

I've always liked the look and functionality of the cranksbro stuff but so many reports and reviews that are for and against.  Mate of mine has mallets and he swears by them but does have to rebuild them once every 9 months, but then he never takes stuff apart and cleans and greases up.  Just replaces when it breaks or is wearing out - oh to have money eh

Seen the Times for £29.99 so might put me order and give them a go - thanks everyone and wish me luck

Gaz