first time clipless - foot cramp normal?

saunaboy

Hi all,

Last week I went clipless for the first time. I now have Keo Classics and Gaerne shoes. The shoes fit fine when off the bike & are comfy for the first 15 mins on a turbo trainer.

However, after that I get a cramp feeling in the outside fleshy pads of my feet (at the side of where my little toe starts). This is pretty uncomfortable & I'm worried that the shoes are no good.

I have the cleats for the pedals set as far back as possible, but changing this only means 3-4mm forward. Would this make any difference?

Is the feeling normal & part of a sort of adaptation to the new shoe feeling & cleats? Or do I need new shoes?

Thanks!

Anonymous

It's amazing what a huge difference subtle adjustments to cleats/shoes/bike set up can make...

bianchimoon

saunaboy wrote:

Hi all,

Last week I went clipless for the first time. I now have Keo Classics and Gaerne shoes. The shoes fit fine when off the bike & are comfy for the first 15 mins on a turbo trainer.

However, after that I get a cramp feeling in the outside fleshy pads of my feet (at the side of where my little toe starts). This is pretty uncomfortable & I'm worried that the shoes are no good.

I have the cleats for the pedals set as far back as possible, but changing this only means 3-4mm forward. Would this make any difference?

Is the feeling normal & part of a sort of adaptation to the new shoe feeling & cleats? Or do I need new shoes?

Thanks!

I had this exact same problem with some new sidi shoes a couple of months back as did a friend who bought mavics, our problems were solved by not fastening the middle strap to tight, i would first experiment with loosening it completely off and see how you get on and if ok after 20 miles or so next ride try it a little tighter, till you get to the point it starts aching again (if that is the cause of the problem of course) good luck

saunaboy

thanks for the replies. would a turbo trainer be likely to show up discomfort more than road use or vice versa? Obviously on the turbo you're pedalling constantly.

bianchimoon

saunaboy wrote:

thanks for the replies. would a turbo trainer be likely to show up discomfort more than road use or vice versa? Obviously on the turbo you're pedalling constantly.

IMO just as likely to show it up, (if not more) as it's more intense, as for moving the cleats, the only think moving cleats back to a mid position helped me with were sore knees on my left hand side

tri-sexual

foot cramp not normal
check shoe fit and experiment with cleat and pedal adjustments
if you are uncomfortable after 15 mins, you will suffer after a few hours. extended discomfort can lead to other feet, knee or other joint problems

kingrollo

Are you sure its cramp and not numbness ? - Heard of loads of problems re numb\cold feet - but not so much cramp.

A point to bear in mind is that although shoes feel fine at first - you feet swell - as they got hot - so you may need a bigger shoe than you first thought.

If it definitely cramp - you wouldn't be clenching you foot would you ?

Berk Bonebonce

Are your tyres at their max pressures? If so you just might be getting some road shock. With the way the roads are in the UK there just is not a case for running at max pressures for recreational-type cycling.

saunaboy

Thanks again for the replies. I rode on the turbo again last night with loosened mid straps & the problem was slightly reduced.

I've realized that I ride on the outside of my feet, with weight placed on the outside pad. You just need to take a quick look at my work shoes to realize I also walk like this. Looks like I can't get away with this in cycling shoes! Last night, as the pain came on, I was able to control it by intentionally putting the weight through the ball of my big toe.

I was a mountain biker/footballer/Nordic skier for years with no problems in multiple shoes & was surprised to see this in a road shoe.

(anyone who thinks cycling is hard by the way, try Nordic skiing. By far hardest think I've ever done)

RedAende

is it cramp or more like "pins & needles".

Google Mortons Neuroma, its a nerve issue between third and forth toes.

I get it from time to time, but slackenings shoes as mentioned above helps.

DCowling

RedAende wrote:

is it cramp or more like "pins & needles".

Google Mortons Neuroma, its a nerve issue between third and forth toes.

I get it from time to time, but slackenings shoes as mentioned above helps.[/quote

I have had huge problems with this, to the point I would have to stop after 90min to give my feet a rest.
I have just gotten a new bike and tried a completey new position with the cleats and the problem has been drastically reduced.
I origionally had the cleats right forward so I was putting pressure on the ridge behind my toes , but now that I have moved them right back, amazed at the difference.
I also make sure that the bottom and middle velcro staps are only fastened and not tight and the shoe is held on with the top strap