Speedplays and hot foot

[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

[Kathi]

check these out:

(there are lots of other choices too)

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

I just bought a pair of those. I love the way they fit but I haven't ridden in them.

I have a very high instep and if the buckle is to tight I will get numb feet. I use custom orthothics which also helps with the 1st met that drops lower than others.

Stretching my calves also seems to help foot, and knee, issues.

[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)

[rij73]

If you are someone with a dropped met head or neuroma it can be REALLY painful.

Knotted, I have neuromas in both feet. That's why I got Specialized shoes which supposedly have the metatarsal button. I still have the pain, though. Not as bad as when walking, and not exactly the same, but more like just plain old hotfoot. Are the Superfeet metatarsal buttons better than the insoles that come standard in the Specialized shoes???

[NadiaMac]

I had a lot of foot discomfort- numb toes, hot foot, cramping- when I recently switched from mountain biking pedals/shoes to road shoes and speedplay Xs. Turns out my road shoes were too narrow.

I switched to new shoes with a moldable insole (shimanos), and am very careful not to strap them too tightly. This has completely solved the foot problem.

Other tips: tight socks can contribute to this problem, in my experience. Also, my feet swell during the course of a long hot ride, so I sometimes loosen shoe straps mid-ride.

Try really loosening your shoes when the problem starts on a ride. If loosening the straps (a lot) helps with the discomfort, your shoes are probably too narrow/tight.

[indysteel]

I've had intense pain in my right foot this summer (mostly in my big toe and ball of my foot) and after doing a lot of reading on the subject, I've come to the conclusion that there are any number of things that can cause it and any number of things that can solve it. Finding which one(s), can be difficult and costly. I would note that I have Look Keos and SIDI Zetas.

As others have mentioned, shoe fit and the shoe itself can cause foot pain and hot spots. Cleat position can make it worse or better, as can the insole of your shoe. I think my problem is largely caused by the fact that my foot swells a bit in the summer, causing my big toe to bump up against the top of the shoe. They otherwise feel fine in the rest of the year. My right foot is a tad bigger, too, which might explain why my left foot feels fine. I also think I may roll to the outside of my right foot a bit. There are inserts to help with that, too, but they seem to take up too much valuable room in my shoe.

I've experimented with new insoles (by Sole and another pair by Spenco that are supposesd to provide more arch support). They delayed the pain a bit but didn't eliminate it. I'm in the process of stretching the right shoe a bit with this contraption that will "bump up" the leather above my toe. If that doesn't work, I think I may have to try a different brand of shoe since SIDIS run narrow in the toe box. Beyond that, I'm ready to see a doctor.

I'd suggest starting with the cheapest fix and go from there, e.g., moving the cleat back and experimenting with different socks. From there, I would try a different insole (SOLE, Superfeet and Specialized Body Geometry are often recommended).