SPD cleats hurting my toes?

jat147

Hi,
I've had my road bike for 6 months now, but have never felt comfortable pedalling.
It has shimano SPD pedals and cheapo Crane shoes from Aldi.
When I started going out on it my left (more than the right) toes would start to feel numb after about 10-15 mins riding, which at the time I told myself was because it was cold - so ingnored it. Anyway, the saddle hurt far more!
Well the saddle is super comfy now, and my toes are still hurting - both sides, but left is worse.
So I've tried adjusting the angle of the cleats after arriving home one day having realised that my toes hadn't hurt at all? On closer inspection it became clear that the cleat bolts had come loose during the ride. However, all adjustments I'm making just make it worse. Sitting on the bike feels fine, but 10 mins out and things hurt again - my knees are painful instead of the toes in some positions, but I just cant get it right.
I've looked at my feet, and I seem to be more duck footed than straight - my snowboard is set at 15 degrees angle left and right and that is comfy for hours at a time if that helps?
How do you fit cleats in a way that is natural once you're clipped in?
Any help will be gratefuly received.

Omar Little

It might be a case of the straps on your shoes being too tight - your feet will expand while cycling so often if shoes are done up snug when starting out that means they will be too restrictive once riding for a while.

If that doesn't work google cleat placement and there are alot of websites with detailed instructions on what to do to get the right set up.

jat147

Thanks Omar, I've loosened the straps while riding and it does help a little but theres still that feeling that something isn't quite right?

Gizmodo

First just check it's not your shoes that are too tight Ike Omar suggested. If not then pop down to your Local Bike Shop and ask about a bike fit, explain the problems and look at buying a better quality pair of shoes.

bottom_bracket

I asked this a couple of weeks ago! Loosened straps as suggested and 75% better now. Reckon the other 25% will need better shoes to get sorted.

jat147

bottom_bracket wrote:

I asked this a couple of weeks ago! Loosened straps as suggested and 75% better now. Reckon the other 25% will need better shoes to get sorted.

Yeah I'm thinking better shoes would help too, these are pretty badly fitted.
..... and the wife takes the p*** saying it looks like I'm wearing robot shoes

thanks to all

Grill

Just to expound on one of your comments- there is no relationship between snowboard stance and foot position whilst cycling.

How soft are your shoes? If they're flexing it can add unwanted pressure on the toes.

essjaydee

Some good info here http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/cleats.html

jat147

Grill wrote:

Just to expound on one of your comments- there is no relationship between snowboard stance and foot position whilst cycling.

How soft are your shoes? If they're flexing it can add unwanted pressure on the toes.

Thanks Grill - I didn't make that point very well, I just meant that my natural foot angle is slightly duck footed, as proved by the snowboard. I've read of methods like dangling your feet over a piece of paper while sat on a stool? I've been thinking that foot angle is the cause of most of the discomfort, but the answers above point more to the shoes. Yes the shoes are a little soft, more so than some I've seen. I think that changing the shoes will be a good investment at the moment, just a little worried about making a poor choice again.

Great article, essjaydee thanks for that.