Speedplays and hot foot

[Miranda]

Sorry you are having problems, but thx for this post. Nothing like the composite of great minds together. I have some blab of my own going on about what SpeedPlays to buy partially due to a similiar issue with my feet. You just aided in making my decision.

I am using a double sided mtb pedal that came on my road bike. SPD Shimano M505. Small surface area. First I rode in my mtb shoes that I wore to spin class. Diadoras. Not so stiff sole, major foot numb issues, etc. Then, I upgraded to a true road shoe. Sidi Zeta. Things improved with a stiffer sole, but I still don't think it's stiff enough. Next will be the all carbon. I wore the mtb shoes with that bike this w/e and both feet were numb. They are pretty flexy, that confirms the sole theory to me. Sigh...

Don't you just wish there was a Cycling Santa Claus that came in July and drop a bag full of bike goodies off at your front door? I'd put up a pine tree decorated with bike chain as garland if he'd come visit. But, I digress with my fantasies... back to feet...

Socks... I get the bunched up sock issues. A tri friend of mine does just as posted. No socks. I think she's onto something. Here's my sock tries... mainly Pearl Izumi's. The x-static (men's race sock) and originals are pretty much the same thickness. The x-static bunches a bit less. I tried SheBeest no show socks, sorta thin, but bunch too. The PI Kerin sock is very thin with a arch center support... still bunches some in the toe for me. PI ladies ankle attack sock.... thicker than Kerins, but nice stretch forming factor, no bunch as of yet. PI also makes a silk lite sock which looks really thin, but in the pic on the web it looks baggy on the model's toes... wonder if it would bunch up like the Kerin? ...sooo, didn't try that yet. I have tried smaller socks too, but the heel placement doesn't fit right then (thinking they would bunch less in the toes). Any bunches equals foot pain.

I have not seen the SpeedPlays first hand, but been doing a lot of reading on their web site... think the X pedal is the widest contact for what they make in roads??? Would your lbs let you trade em in for a try? Could you sell your current SpeedPlays if the other worked to offset the cost? Maybe SpeedPlay customer service direct could help if you have not called already.

Just some more ideas, fwiw.

[beccaB]

I'm having the numb toe issue too. I hate to give up my Specialized taho's, I love them and I can walk in them.
I was going to try an insert with some gel in the forefoot area. Has anyone tried that yet?

[sundial]

I'm having the numb toe issue too. I hate to give up my Specialized taho's, I love them and I can walk in them.
I was going to try an insert with some gel in the forefoot area. Has anyone tried that yet?

Are you riding the road bike with the Tahos? These shoes have a lot of flex in them compared to the mtb race shoe. You might want to take a look at these or these. I can comfortably walk in them and use them as my road shoes. I wear the Tahos for mtbing.

[PinkBike]

i have speedplays also, and i sometimes get hotfoot when it's over 110 degrees outside and over a 15 mile ride. i just loosen up the straps a little and wiggle my feet left and right, pull up on the pedals instead of push down, and the hotfoot dwindles so i can continue my ride.

i used to get it constantly when i had mtb shoes and pedals, but with my zeroes, hardsoled sidi genus 5.5 shoes and lightweight socks i only get it when i should - like when its way hot.

[beccaB]

Are you riding the road bike with the Tahos? These shoes have a lot of flex in them compared to the mtb race shoe. You might want to take a look at these or these. I can comfortably walk in them and use them as my road shoes. I wear the Tahos for mtbing.

Yes, I'm riding the road bike in the tahos. I maight have to wait until my paychecks start back up in the fall before investing in another pair of shoes. My husband has those that you mentioned, and I don't think he has quite the numbness or soreness I do. He says all he has to do is concentrate more on the lifting up motion and the soreness goes away. I bought some of the specialized inserts and got fitted at the bike store. I'm pretty flatfooted. It's not making a huge difference. I'm going to try adjusting the cleat forward or backward next.
As a side note, the bones in my feet have always been sensitive. I can't walk around barefooted on our wood floors for long.

[madscot13]

Sorry you are having problems, but thx for this post. Nothing like the composite of great minds together. I have some blab of my own going on about what SpeedPlays to buy partially due to a similiar issue with my feet. You just aided in making my decision.

I am using a double sided mtb pedal that came on my road bike. SPD Shimano M505. Small surface area. First I rode in my mtb shoes that I wore to spin class. Diadoras. Not so stiff sole, major foot numb issues, etc. Then, I upgraded to a true road shoe. Sidi Zeta. Things improved with a stiffer sole, but I still don't think it's stiff enough. Next will be the all carbon. I wore the mtb shoes with that bike this w/e and both feet were numb. They are pretty flexy, that confirms the sole theory to me. Sigh...

Don't you just wish there was a Cycling Santa Claus that came in July and drop a bag full of bike goodies off at your front door? I'd put up a pine tree decorated with bike chain as garland if he'd come visit. But, I digress with my fantasies... back to feet...

Socks... I get the bunched up sock issues. A tri friend of mine does just as posted. No socks. I think she's onto something. Here's my sock tries... mainly Pearl Izumi's. The x-static (men's race sock) and originals are pretty much the same thickness. The x-static bunches a bit less. I tried SheBeest no show socks, sorta thin, but bunch too. The PI Kerin sock is very thin with a arch center support... still bunches some in the toe for me. PI ladies ankle attack sock.... thicker than Kerins, but nice stretch forming factor, no bunch as of yet. PI also makes a silk lite sock which looks really thin, but in the pic on the web it looks baggy on the model's toes... wonder if it would bunch up like the Kerin? ...sooo, didn't try that yet. I have tried smaller socks too, but the heel placement doesn't fit right then (thinking they would bunch less in the toes). Any bunches equals foot pain.

I have not seen the SpeedPlays first hand, but been doing a lot of reading on their web site... think the X pedal is the widest contact for what they make in roads??? Would your lbs let you trade em in for a try? Could you sell your current SpeedPlays if the other worked to offset the cost? Maybe SpeedPlay customer service direct could help if you have not called already.

Just some more ideas, fwiw.

why do your socks bunch? socks should not bunch.

[rij73]

Wow... I've been having the exact same problem with my Light Action pedals. I changed my shoes and socks, and it improved somewhat but not enough. I can go about 30 miles and then the burning pain through my toes starts. I love love love these pedals so much, though...

I've found myself wondering if there is any way to move the cleats back even further than the maximum... perhaps by lengthening the track in the adapter plate if that makes sense... Who thinks that might be possible?

When I am riding, I can feel very clearly that if that cleat could somehow be moved back by 1/2 a centimeter, it would really help.

[Becky]

Wow... I've been having the exact same problem with my Light Action pedals. I changed my shoes and socks, and it improved somewhat but not enough. I can go about 30 miles and then the burning pain through my toes starts. I love love love these pedals so much, though...

I've found myself wondering if there is any way to move the cleats back even further than the maximum... perhaps by lengthening the track in the adapter plate if that makes sense... Who thinks that might be possible?

When I am riding, I can feel very clearly that if that cleat could somehow be moved back by 1/2 a centimeter, it would really help.

Don't quote me on this, but I think Speedplay sells an adapter to allow the cleats to be moved further back. You might check their webpage or give them a ring...

[rij73]

Don't quote me on this, but I think Speedplay sells an adapter to allow the cleats to be moved further back. You might check their webpage or give them a ring...

Whoa! After a thorough review of the website, I found them!
They are called: ALUMINUM FORE-AFT EXTENDER BASE PLATE KIT

For $36 they give you a whole 14mm of additional rearward positioning. I am buying these right this second. Ninerfan, this may be the answer for both of us, though I also recommend thinner socks...

Thanks, Becky!

Edit: Glory Cycles and Competitive Cyclist have these for $25 plus reasonable shipping. Just ordered!

[ninerfan]

Thanks for all the feedback so far! A little bit more info: I actually already have Superfeet insoles in there, the gray ones, which I use mostly b/c of the arch support. My socks are relatively thin, though I have thought of the wool angle. My shoes are Sidi Raidens, which is apparently a Tri shoe! This is news to me. Could this have something to do with it?


Edit: I just ordered the extender too! Lets hope for the best!

[mimitabby]

check these out:

(there are lots of other choices too)

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=30859

[Miranda]

why do your socks bunch? socks should not bunch.

I don't know why the socks bunch. They go on ok, then the toe box area gets shifted or something and a crease or fold happens under the ball of my foot. Maybe my feet are narrow at the toe???

EDIT ADD: there is some type of section on the web site about shims for the cleats on SP web site, fwiw.

[roadie gal]

I was getting hot spots and cramps in my feet until I put insoles in my shoes. The green Super Feet insoles have completely solved my foot problems.

[KnottedYet]

I highly recommend insoles (like Superfeet) and a metatarsal button. (not a met cushion, but a met button. if your shoe store doesn't know the difference, run away!)

Sometimes the metatarsal arch squishes down under the pressure of cycling (cuz all your push is running through your forefoot). If you are someone with a dropped met head or neuroma it can be REALLY painful. When that arch is squished or already dropped the nerves that run through there get compressed and misery ensues.

I was having terrible left foot pain with my Specialized Tahoes and my Speedplay Frogs. Put green Superfeet and met buttons in both shoes, and no problems since.

Superfeet berry and orange have low met buttons built into them, but they aren't beefy enough buttons for some folks.

[mimitabby]

have you tried wool socks? (thin)