Sore Achilles on new bike

dhope

I recently got my first road bike, complete with some basic SPDs and decent MTB shoes.

First ride out was 50k from Tonbridge to Ashford. Enjoyed the ride, wasn't too tired when I arrived. Later in the day, and for the next week or so my right Achilles was sore. Not painful when sitting or standing, but could feel it a little when walking and the occasional twinge.

Waited another week and did a little 10m round trip to the shop and again could feel my right Achilles, though only for the rest of the day.

Odd thing is my left ankle has been absolutely fine and riding my other bike, a fixie with toe clips is no problem and I've done similar distances on that.

Could it be that one cleat is slightly less than straight, or I'm doing more with one leg than another (I'm right-legged I guess), or one leg slightly longer than the other...

Any ideas or things to adjust/try?

TIA

on the road

My guess is that it could be the way you've got the cleats set up. What you should do is to sit on the bike and let your legs dangle, then notice the angle of your feet and try to get your cleats aligned so that your feet will be in their natural position when clipped in.

Philby

Also might be worth checking the saddle height and position - you may be stretching too much straining your achilles.

dhope

Philby wrote:

Also might be worth checking the saddle height and position - you may be stretching too much straining your achilles.

Wouldn't that be likely to affect both ankles?

TommyEss

dhope wrote:

Philby wrote:

Also might be worth checking the saddle height and position - you may be stretching too much straining your achilles.

Wouldn't that be likely to affect both ankles?

Possibly - but then you may have one leg ever so slightly shorter than the other. :?

eyebee

I had a similar problem and for me it was resolved by moving the cleats back as far as they would go. Just try different positions to see what suits you best.