Cleat theory

1_reaper

Hi all. Hopefully I've put this in the right section? For quite some time now I've had a few pairs of shoes and always had problems with the right cleat positioning. However a light bulb went off in my head and I have a theory. I could be right or wrong here so bear with me. I've had several operations on my left knee which has made it slightly shorter then the right so my theory is more pressure is being put on my right foot thus causing the pain.I'm sure someone's going to come along and correct me? I was thinking could I correct the problem with shims and or insoles on the left leg to even things out? Like I said just a theory and could be wrong? Thanks

sungod

it's possible, slight differences can cause large problems when you are putting ot a lot of power

fwiw i've got footbeds for arch support, shims/wedges for foot angle, and a spacer for leg length difference

but if you're talking about foot pain, it may simply be that the shoes are too flexy, and/or the footbeds are no good


if you can give more detail you might get more useful/specific answers...

exactly where's the pain, what character is it - aching, burning, sudden, building etc., what provokes/eases it, what pedals and shoes, etc.

wishitwasallflat

Sounds possible but no one could tell for sure without measuring your femur and tibia.

1_reaper

Fair one. I get the pain on the outer, middle part of the foot on the right only. Left foot has no problems at all. sometimes I find it very painful to walk on the right foot if I've put in a lot of effort and or power. On an easy ride less so. Tried several decent priced shoes Bontrager, Lake and Sidi and same result and the shoe's have been sized correctly

1_reaper

Oh sorry use look Keo's

sungod

sidi footbeds don't have the greatest reputation, the ones in mine had the consistency of thin card

if the shoes fit ok, and you can't feel pressure from the cleat coming through, then it might be worth trying some better footbeds, the specialized bg ones are good - red is standard, blue has more arch support, green lots of arch support

ajb72

It sounds like you could really benefit from a proper bike fit. I never knew I had an issue with leg length or the angle of my feet in their natural position - after a bike fit I had 2 shims under one cleat and it made a huge difference. I had been favouring one leg before without realising it.

If you can get over to Adrian and Cadence Cycles it could be the best investment you make in cycling. He looks at you on the bike, but before you even get that far he has you on the physio table measuring various angles etc.

ajb72

sungod wrote:

sidi footbeds don't have the greatest reputation, the ones in mine had the consistency of thin card

if the shoes fit ok, and you can't feel pressure from the cleat coming through, then it might be worth trying some better footbeds, the specialized bg ones are good - red is standard, blue has more arch support, green lots of arch support

You're not kidding! To call them footbeds is exaggerating, they literally are bits of cardboard and embarrassing on expensive shoes. Sidas footbeds transformed my Sidi's.

1_reaper

Never had a problem before. It all started over a year ago after last knee op. Got another op on the same knee at the end of the month so shall see what happens after that and seek the advice above if problems continue. Thanks or all the advice so far

ajb72

good luck with the op, hopefully won't keep you off the bike for too long.

1_reaper

Reckon about six weeks as having a shoulder op at the same time. Deep Joy!