Shim insert...?

hopper1

Hi guys,

I have one leg 3mm shorter than the other. :shock:
Many years ago, as a runner, I used to use an orthotic insert, which helped greatly. As the years passed, my running almost stopped and the use of the insert ended.
Now, I sometimes suffer a little back ache, so I'm going to get another insert made, but where do I go for a shim for my cleat (shimano)?
Anybody know of a podiatrist that specialises in cycling?

Thanks...

fungus_the_muffin_man

Don't know about shimano but if you need something then I would change onto speedplay. They advertise the ability to shim up a shorter leg as one of speedplays strong points

hopper1

Cheers for that, Fungus The Muffin Man.
I did recently think about changing my pedals, but bought more SPD-SL's instead!!
Maybe I need to change...

fungus_the_muffin_man

look on the speedplay website they show you what the shims look like and the other features you can get for individualizing your ride with the pedal.

hopper1

Hmmm... Would I be able to make some 3mm shims and insert them under my cleat, using longer bolts?.....
:?

robthehungrymonkey

hopper1 wrote:

Hmmm... Would I be able to make some 3mm shims and insert them under my cleat, using longer bolts?.....
:?

Be careful, as although one leg is 3mm shorter than the other, that's measured standing up, the effect on a bike is different probably requiring a small shim...

Just take some proper advice before doing it. (though, i suppose if there's no cost involved, then you can just experient?)

antfly

What about different crank lengths, that would work.

hopper1

antfly wrote:

What about different crank lengths, that would work.

Would ahve same effect as shimming, just far more expensive!...

robthehungrymonkey

hopper1 wrote:

antfly wrote:

What about different crank lengths, that would work.

Would ahve same effect as shimming, just far more expensive!...

Wouldn't they make the crank shorter at teh bottom of the rotation, and longer at the top? The crank turning upside down, but the pedals staying the same way up???

soveda

antfly wrote:

What about different crank lengths, that would work.

It wouldn't work, at the bottom of the stroke the length from pedal to saddle would be smaller but it would be longer at the top of the pedal stroke compared to the other leg. Very odd biomechanically.

antfly

But it can be higher at the top because one leg is shorter. I don`t see the problem, theoretically.
Cheaper than speedplays and he would walk funny with a 3mm shim under the cleat.

robthehungrymonkey

antfly wrote:

But it can be higher at the top because one leg is shorter.

But what about the bottom?

antfly

Forget the crank what about these, the perfect solution.
http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/ ... wedge.html

hopper1

antfly wrote:

But it can be higher at the top because one leg is shorter. I don`t see the problem, theoretically.
Cheaper than speedplays and he would walk funny with a 3mm shim under the cleat.

I don't plan on walking in my cleats... I ride...

soveda

antfly wrote:

But it can be higher at the top because one leg is shorter. I don`t see the problem, theoretically.
Cheaper than speedplays and he would walk funny with a 3mm shim under the cleat.

If one leg is shorter surely you would walk better with a 3mm shim under one foot...

antfly

The shims only at the front not the whole foot, anyway he doesn`t walk in his cleats apparently. He gets carried to his bike on a sedan.

hopper1

antfly wrote:

The shims only at the front not the whole foot, anyway he doesn`t walk in his cleats apparently. He gets carried to his bike on a sedan.

Now, now... Let's not lower this into a bitchy slagging! :shock:
I wear trainers/ slippers to the garage, change footwear, ride bike, change footwear, walk back into house in slippers/ trainers.
Saves wearing out my cleats, or the need for cleat covers.
I don't stop for coffee/ tea etc, whilst out.

antfly

Just jesting.
Silly question perhaps but how do you find out if one leg is longer than the other i.e. how do you measure them {I think I may have different lengths} and what about those wedges I linked to, isn`t that what you are looking for? Here`s a better link.
http://www.bikefit.com/docs/WedgeInstal ... ctions.pdf

hopper1

No offence taken, antfly

I had a bike fit recently, which confirmed the difference.
Years ago, I fell off a roof (40'), shattered leg...
Lots of rebuilding, physio, etc resulted in 3mm difference. I assume it was the accident, as I had never had my legs measured before then!
I had seen the LeMond wedges, but, thank you for high lighting them.
I'll take professional advice, once I find one! :roll:

antfly

You`re question was where do you find cleat shims you don`t need a podiatrist for that, you need someone with time on their hands and internet access.
These are 3mm, they should suit you sir, perfectly.
http://www.bikefit.com/prodll3hole.php

hopper1

Cheers, mate, but I would like to confirm that I am indeed heading in the right direction,before wrecking myself!!
I need a podiatrist for an insert for my shoe, so I'll try to kill two birds with one stone.
It's easy enough to find podiatrists for running shoe inserts locally, but try finding one that has experience with cyclists... :roll:

micaab

i'm going through a similar thing. i'm getting a podiatrist to advise on getting an orthotic device made for shoes but hadn;t really considered anything required for cycling.

my left leg is about 12mm shorter than the right after fragmentation of tibia and fibula caused by a car crash many years ago. the back problems i have at the moment are long and complicated because of this.

but, you try and keep me off a bike.....

Garz

Bingo!

BikeDynamics

Hopper1

Are you sure it is the leg length irregularity that is causing the backache. A 3mm difference is almost normal. I see people with 2 degree differences in their maximum knee angles all the time which equates to about 2mm on the leg length.

A far cheaper solution is available within your cleats. Move the cleat on the short leg forward a couple of mm. This will effectively reduce the maximum angle of this knee as the heel comes back. Alternatively move the cleat on the long leg back a couple of mm, effectively opening up the knee joint.

If you get an orthotic from a Podiatrist it will be heel posted i.e. not extend up to the ball of the foot and not make any diference on the bike.

Mike at [url=HTTP://BikeDynamics.co.uk]HTTP://BikeDynamics.co.uk[/url]

hopper1

BikeDynamics wrote:

Hopper1

Are you sure it is the leg length irregularity that is causing the backache. A 3mm difference is almost normal. I see people with 2 degree differences in their maximum knee angles all the time which equates to about 2mm on the leg length.

A far cheaper solution is available within your cleats. Move the cleat on the short leg forward a couple of mm. This will effectively reduce the maximum angle of this knee as the heel comes back. Alternatively move the cleat on the long leg back a couple of mm, effectively opening up the knee joint.

If you get an orthotic from a Podiatrist it will be heel posted i.e. not extend up to the ball of the foot and not make any diference on the bike.

Mike at [url=HTTP://BikeDynamics.co.uk]HTTP://BikeDynamics.co.uk[/url]

Hi Mike,

I know the orthotic will be inserted at the heel, I've had one before.
It's standing still that gives back ache!
Not sure if I will need any adjustment to cleat position or shim insert, but was pursuing it just in case I do...