Foot pain -- suggestions??

[southjerseygirl]

I recently got a new road bike, Speedplay zero pedals, and Sidi Zeta road shoes. I had my bike fitting and everything seemed fine until my first ride (which happened to be on the trainer). About 15-20 minutes in I started to get a shooting pain in the arch of my right foot that continued around to the ankle and up the outside of my calf. I've tried changing the cleat position, which helps a bit, but the pain is still there each time I ride. (I should mention that I've experienced this kind of pain in the past with running shoes, and it was alleviated by switching from Nike to Adidas.) I know the Sidi insoles are kind of wimpy -- could it be that I just need better insoles? I've been looking into getting Superfeet but was wondering if the shape works well in Sidi shoes (my shoe has an inward curve to it while the yellow cycling insole doesn't seem to). Any suggestions??

[Aggie_Ama]

I had a similar pain with my Sidis (and you aren't lying about the insoles). I now use Aline insoles which I believe are similar to superfeet, not sure.

[GLC1968]

My first thought is the width of the toe box on your shoes might not be enough for you.

I suggest this because generally, Nike running shoes run narrow. Adidas shoes are generally wider (I can't wear Nike, but I can wear Adidas). Sidi's are traditionally pretty narrow, too. I can't wear them at all.

You may need a wider shoe? Can you borrow a pair from a friend to try out and see if that helps with the pain? I wear only Specialized shoes because the width is just right for my feet.

Of course, my foot pain is different than what you describe, so this might not be it at all. Helpful, aren't I?

[southjerseygirl]

It could be a width issue, but I'm inclined to think not. My feet are wider at the front due to bunions (had them all my life), but my heel is really narrow and this is why the Sidis seemed to fit well. I sized up a 1/2 size to gain the extra room in the front, and I don't feel any pressure in the toebox area when I ride. I had been wearing Specialized Riata mountain shoes (which I loved) but needed something new when I switched to Speedplays. I guess maybe I should have stuck with Specialized, but my husband is so in love with his Sidis that I thought I'd give them a chance (and like I said, they felt great in the store...just not after I've been on the bike for awhile).

[Becky]

I get pain similar to that when there's not enough arch support in my cycling shoes and I find myself clenching my toes to keep my foot stable inside the shoe. Quality insoles take care of the problem for me. I have blue Superfeet in my MTB shoes, and gray ones in my road shoes- though, honestly, I can't really tell a difference.

[sundial]

One bike shop guy gave me sound advice--pitch the factory insole and use a good quality insole. I use Sole. I had shooting pain in my achilles from an unsupported arch and once I put a Sole in it, it cleared everything up.

[aicabsolut]

The Sidi factory insoles are crap. Try something else. Anything else. Even the worn insoles from your other cycling shoes. I like the Specialized insoles, because my orthotics or running insoles are too thick (gives me heel lift). I use the high arch support one, but there are 3 support levels to choose from.

BTW, the pain seems to go right down your peroneal longus tendon. If you don't have the pedals set to a pretty wide range of float (the zeros are adjustable, right?), then you might try that to see if maybe cleat angle (toe in or toe out) is the problem. Another thing to try is moving the cleat farther back towards your heel. I got bad peroneal tendinitis for a while and moving the cleat back a bit helped me a lot, more than the angle, though the angle can make a difference (overuse with the toe too far out, or strain with the toe too far in).

[bike4ever]

Go with the yellow Superfeet. These are trim to fit so they will fit fine in your Sidi's.

[southjerseygirl]

I bought the yellow Superfeet (formerly grey) last night, cut them to size, and hopped on the bike. Unfortunately, the pain came on even faster than with the stock insoles. Ughh! Superfeet says they're designed to work with most arch types, but maybe I'm just in that minority that aren't helped by them. For those of you that have them -- do they need to be broken in before they're comfortable?

In the meantime, I put my old Specialized insoles in the Sidis, and while they're not great, at least they don't suck. Tonight I'll try some more cleat adjustments, but if that doesn't work I'll head to the LBS this weekend for help.

This is so frustrating because all I want to do is get out and ride the new bike. I'm about ready to just cut my losses and buy new shoes.

[Becky]

I bought the yellow Superfeet (formerly grey) last night, cut them to size, and hopped on the bike. Unfortunately, the pain came on even faster than with the stock insoles. Ughh! Superfeet says they're designed to work with most arch types, but maybe I'm just in that minority that aren't helped by them. For those of you that have them -- do they need to be broken in before they're comfortable?

They do take some getting used to, especially if your old insoles have little-to-no support. I would try doing short rides for about a week, and see if your feet become more accustomed to them.

BTW, was your "test ride" on the trainer? I find that everything hurts more (feet, butt, hands, etc.) during trainer rides because my body position is much more static that it is on the road.

Good luck!

[southjerseygirl]

Good point. Yes, my test rides have been on the trainer. This weekend I should have time during the day to try them out on the road.