Help Please! Foot Pain

simon johnson

I've always had pain running up the outside of my right foot, it's been the case through four different bikes, even more pairs of shoes and as many pedals and usually makes itself known after 10 miles. Yesterday was the worst ever; stopping to get a drink after 30 miles I couldn't even walk on that foot.

After a few google searches it seems that the reason for this is that my foot is naturally rotating outwards and thus I'm all the time putting pressure on the outer part of my foot.

Does anybody have experience with this? It seems that it can be corrected with a shim (or two?).

Anybody know of a London shop that can help with this without too much expense, I guess somewhere with expertise in cleat fitting etc.

I've really had enough of this and should've done something years ago, any help is, as always, greatly appreciated.

Simon.

borisface

Cyclefit in Covent Garden do cycle fitting including cleats. Highl recommended by me. Bit costly and there may be a wait - google them

simon johnson

Thanks borisface, though I was afraid somebody would recommend Cyclefit: I know that they're expensive (£165), unfortunately I just don't have the money right now, even though I'm sure it'd be worth it the end and wouldn't really grumble about spending the money if I had it.

Simon.

BikeDynamics

Hi Simon

Try adjusting your cleats so your feet are as far apart as possible. If you still hurt, put a washer between the pedal and crank to space you out even further.

If you still hurt and fancy a trip up the M40 to Warwickshire, come and see me at

http://bikedynamics.co.uk/

Mike at BikeDynamics

Moontrane

Pain on the outside of the foot can sometimes be alleviated by raising inner side. Wedges – whether in the shoe or between the shoe and cleat - can balance the pressure you apply.
For me it’s the reverse of your situation: I have pain on the inner side of one foot and have eliminated it through the use of 2mm shimming, raising the outside (pinkie toe side) of my foot.

page23

buy pedals with more float

jgsi

simon johnson wrote:

Yesterday was the worst ever; stopping to get a drink after 30 miles I couldn't even walk on that foot.
)

You're mad even to ride until you know for real the reason for the pain.

andrewjoseph

I had similar pains (and still do occasionally). I tried changing pedals, shoes, insoles etc. but the biggest improvement came after I bought a bike computer with cadence monitor.

Increasing my cadence prevents the pain starting, usually helps alleviate or even completely stop the pain. The spesh insoles and wedges help too but if my cadence drops and I'm putting too much power through my feet, the pain starts again. Increasing the cadence eases it straightaway.

I don't know if you already have a fast cadence or if you grind, but something as simple as this is worth a try.

bicyclelab

simon johnson wrote:

I've always had pain running up the outside of my right foot, it's been the case through four different bikes, even more pairs of shoes and as many pedals and usually makes itself known after 10 miles. Yesterday was the worst ever; stopping to get a drink after 30 miles I couldn't even walk on that foot.

After a few google searches it seems that the reason for this is that my foot is naturally rotating outwards and thus I'm all the time putting pressure on the outer part of my foot.

Does anybody have experience with this? It seems that it can be corrected with a shim (or two?).

Anybody know of a London shop that can help with this without too much expense, I guess somewhere with expertise in cleat fitting etc.

I've really had enough of this and should've done something years ago, any help is, as always, greatly appreciated.

Simon.

Simon
For sure a professional fitter could help. But check you shoe fit first, then cleat position.
This video may help with the shoe fit part.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8X1sfbQSGA

simon johnson

Thanks for the advice everybody. I asked in my LBS today; they have the Northwave memory foam system:

http://www.northwave.com/world/tech_shoes.php

I think I'll try this as it's fairly cheap.

I'm quite sure that my cleat position is good, maybe not perfect. I'm also quite sure that the pain I'm experiencing is due to the natural rotation of my foot; I'm essentially pedaling using the side of my foot.

Andrewjoseph: you may want to look into this too, if not , then I think wedges as mentioned by Moontrane will help- that sounds like an awkward situation and wouldn't suit me, I'm better in a bigger gear anyway.

JGSI: it varies and the pain isn't unbearable whilst I'm actually in the pedals, I really notice it when I stop to walk etc You have a point though and hopefully I'll get this fixed.

Page23: I have full float on my pedals, also, this has been the case for more than few sets of pedals (and shoes) of varying manufacturers and models.

Where did you get the wedges from Moontrane; these go underneath the cleats or within the shoe underneath the insole? Thanks

If anybody has experience of the Northwave footbeds then please let me know. I'll be back to let you know how things progress...should be before the week's out.

Moontrane

http://www.bikefit.com/products.php
http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page ... =5&minor=6

You should also have a good arch in the insole, unless you're pathologically flat-footed.
Click the "technology demo" on the right, click cycling on the left, and click play animation. http://www.superfeet.com/tech-demo/tech-demo.aspx

dieselgeezer

I had similar problem, felt as if I'd twisted my foot when off the bike. Traced it to carbon soles. Changed to less stiff nylon reinforced soles & the problem went away. Still miss the carbon soles a bit though.

simon johnson

I'm now going to see the folks at bikewhisperer in Ealing, next Monday 8th, for a cleat-fitting session. Reasonable price and I've only heard good things about them.

It seems that this is a common problem that many ignorantly attribute to other causes, thus only achieving a half-solution or having to compromise which is a shame. I've had this problem for a while, as stated, and put it down to poor cleat positioning etc After reading up and researching I'm confident that it's down to foot rotation.....if not, I'm sure the specialist will be able to identify the problem.

And thanks for the links Moontrane, www.thebikewhisperer.co.uk will use shims and wedges like these where appropriate. I hope I get this sorted and I'll keep you posted.