Ankle/achilles pain related to float (cleats)?

[KnottedYet]

Are your orthotics posted for the bike?

Posting is different for biking than it is for walking/running. If your orthotist didn't set these orthotics up specifically for biking, you might want to have them checked. The orthotist should be able to give you posting wedges that you can leave IN THE SHOES if you need to switch the orthotics back and forth from biking to walking.

I have a seperate set for my biking shoes, and thats the only time I use them. The posting wedges are in my shoes, but I've got met pads on the ones for biking (which I don't need for walking and running).

If you haven't seen Andy Pruitt's book (ummm, "complete medical guide for cyclists" or something like that) I highly recommend borrowing a copy from the library. It's a great resource!

Your PT should have given you exercises for the external rotators at the hip joint to help you control the internal rotation you describe. ("clamshells" or "spywalks" sound familiar?) Has your PT seen you on your bike?

My internal rotation problems were magically solved by getting Speedplay Frogs. They are free float, and if i didn't knock off the internal rotation I came unclipped!