Foot pain with Specialized expert road shoes

downhill paul

For a while I have noticed a slight pain in the outside edge of my right foot, just behind my little toe.
I only notice it when I climb out of the saddle, the rest of the time everything is fine.
there are no problems with my left foot, just the right.
it doesn't feel like my foot is being squeezed, it's more like a pressure pain under my foot.
I use shimano SH11 cleats and it feels like the pain is right over the outside edge of the cleat. the cleat is as close to the outside edge of my foot as it will go, so my foot is getting plenty of support from the cleat.
is it more likely to be the shoes or the cleats causing the problem?
I didn't notice any problems when using the same cleats with my old shoes (shimano RO75)
what could be causing the pain in my foot?

downhill paul

I don't know if it makes a difference or not, but my little toe on both feet don't touch the ground.
with my feet on the floor, I can get my finger under my little toe without lifting it.
but I only get pain in one foot, my right. I do get a slight pain in my left foot, but it's no where near as bad as the right.
I have also noticed that when I sit in a chair with my feet flat on the floor, both my knees stick out to the sides leaving just the outside edges of my feet in contact with the floor.
do I need better arch support or maybe a wedge under my cleat?

DavidJB

Might be too narrow for you.

I had terrible problems with pain in my outside edge of foot with some shoes changed to some specialized and was fine (ish) but I had to size up. I tried on some Sidi Megas (for wide feet) and it was like night and day! Ordered a pair of Sidi Genius 6.6 Mega Carbons which should arrive today!

downhill paul

The shoes feel fine when I walk in them, with or without cleats.
they also feel fine under normal cycling conditions.
I only get pain in my feet when climbing out of the saddle.
which would be explained by the fact that my knees naturally point outwards, which in turn causes my feet to roll on the outside edge. so I think it's a case of my foot not being flat on the pedal, which is made worse when I am out of the saddle.
so which would be the best cure? insoles with better/more arch support, a wedge that just goes under my toes or a wedge under the cleats?

laurentian

I don't know whereabouts you are in the world but Northampton School of Podiatry is excellent, open to all comers (i.e. regardless of where you live) and very very reasonable price wise.

Rather than guessing at the problem and buying some "off the shelf" insoles, you can get a consultation and diagnosis for £20. You should take your shoes and cycling shoes (also running shoes if you have them and any other "specific" footwear) The initial consultation is carried out by podiatry students and their notes, findings and recommendations, totally checked out and amended if necessary by the in house consultant who will spend as much time as necessary with you as well as the students. They will then make some temporary orthotics there and then based on the consultation. You go back a couple of weeks later, let them know how you're getting on and if your problems have improved. If all is looking good they will make you some permanent ones, if not, they will modify your temporary ones based on your feedback and repeat the above process until the permanent ones can be made. Orthotics cost £30 per pair - this service would cost hundreds of pounds if done through a "private" podiatrist. (It is inexpensive as it is allied to the University of Northampton).

Transformed my performance and longevity in sport by sorting out a life long knee problem. I have a pair of orthotics for my everyday shoes, one for my rugby boots and a pair for my cycling shoes.

Seriously, look into it.

Initialised

I hate my feet, they are really intolerant of me changing shoes. Whether this has anything to do with putting a nail through one of them in my teens is a moot point. I tend to just suck it up if they decide to hurt, normally I don't feel any pain after the first few minutes one the bike until I get off afterwards.

I currently ride in Specialized Expert MTB shoes. These are generally worse than the Shimano MT42s they replaced as they are tighter fitting, more supportive and have a carbon fibre sole. Fitting with Specialized shoes is more than just size as they have different insoles for different body geometries (sorry). Best bet would be to go to a Specialized Concept Store and get them measured to make sure you have the right size and correct insoles.

forward_loop

Consider...

I had to file down the bolts that came with look cleats on my spesh shoes. pressure pain under my feet apparent after a few miles... took a while to realise it was the outside bolts that were creating just enough of a raised bump beneath the inner to cause discomfort.

downhill paul

After a bit of pain during a ride last wednesday, I raised my saddle height slightly. before and after doing this I noticed I was sliding forward a little on my saddle. the ball of my foot is right over the pedal axle and my knee was also in line with the pedal axle. I have since found out that your knee is supposed to be slightly in front of the pedal axle.
after sliding my saddle forward slightly, I no longer felt like I was sliding forward and I had no more pain in the outside of my right foot. although I understand why moving my saddle forward has stopped me sliding forward, can anyone explain why moving my saddle forward might have stopped my foot hurting?