Another pedal-shoe question

[nuthatch]

I got SPD type pedals for Christmas and immediately had to try them on my bike (up on the trainer right now). Within a week I had really a really achy left foot and the right slowly began to hurt during the second week. I put foam inserts in my shoes, moved the cleats all around, shifted positions in the saddle, changed my "pulling/pushing" pedal style but, once the pain began, I couldn't get it to stop. I'm riding with Cannondale mountain shoes that have a somewhat flexible sole.

My question is, is this problem my feet/arches or is it the stiffness of the shoes? I never had any foot pain with the same shoes and toe clips.

[cruziegirl]

Unfortunately, foot and knee problems can be abundant with SPD clipless pedals particularly when you first start using them. Unlike when you were using toe clips that allow your foot to swivel naturally as you pedal the clip basically locks your foot into the pedal and your knee or foot can get twisted during the stroke. You might consider taking your bike and shoes to a good bike fit person and see if they can help. Very tiny adjustments can make a very big difference. You might also find you need to adjust your seat height. An experienced bike fit person watching as you pedal might be able to see exactly what isn't right and fix it.

[Irulan]

I'd put my $$ on the sole being too flexible. Ever ridden a trainer or spin bike with sneakers? I bet it's close to the same kind of ache...

Irulan

[nuthatch]

Thanks! I sent my new pedals back (mail order) and I'm planning to visit a LBS for suggestions. Does anyone have recessed-cleat, stiff soled mountain shoe recommendations?

[DeniseGoldberg]

I use Sidi Dominators with Speedplay Frog pedals on all of my bikes - road and touring. The shoes are as stiff as their road shoes, and the combination of that, a recessed cleat, and a pedal that allows my foot to be whereever it wants to be makes my feet very happy.

[cruziegirl]

Denise, I'm very glad to hear you like your Speedplays. I made the recent decision to change to Speedplays after using SPD's for several years after I developed an ITB problem in my left knee. I haven't taken them out for a spin yet but I'm looking forward to it. Being 51 I'm all for anything that keeps me on my bike for more years to come!

[Jennifer Gallow]

I use Speedplay X pedals and I love them. LOVE them. I had bad knees from running and tried cycling for rehab. I'll never be a runner again, cycling is way more fun.

Anyway, the Speedplay X series have a lot of float, they're light, and they allow your stroke to follow it's natural pattern. As much as possible, anyway.

The downside is the huge cleats ... I clomp around like a Clydesdale, but the tradeoff is worth it.

[sarahfixit]

Ive always found SPD to feel good with the non-floating grip. Cannondale shoes are stiff enough to make a soccer player jealous(tready enough too). The cleat has a rotating adjustment as well as fore-aft. It is really sensitive to get that one set propperly.

The action of pulling on the pedals took me a couple weeks to adapt to. It works the muscles very differently than compression pedaling, but that is the advantage. Since you can pull, it alternates the active muscles so overall you work more evenly.

[nuthatch]

Thank you everyone! Sarahfixit, that's a great thought. I think I may be having sore feet because I'm using new foot muscles - this is reassuring! I'm definitely going to keep trying.

[CorsairMac]

I wear Specialized MTBs with a recessed cleat and love them. The only problem I had the first week I wore them was on the inside of my Achilles Tendon area - which I knew was due to the way the cleat held my foot on the pedal. Since that first week I haven't had any problems and Love the power I can get from push/pull pedaling!