Speedplays and hot foot

[ninerfan]

Sigh. What I am about to write saddens me. I love my Speedplay light action pedals. They are the first and only clipless pedals I have ever used. I love how easy they are to clip in and out of. I love the float. I love the way they look. BUT.... I have major issues with hot foot.

My cleat is as far back as it will go. If the temps outside are above 75 and the mileage moves beyond 10, my foot begins to flame . Has anyone else had these issues, especially with their speedplays? Any suggestions short of getting new pedals? Different shoes, socks? (Note: my funds are very limited. Law school ).

I have thought that if I continue to have problems I may give Look Keos a shot. I'd like that to be a last resort. In addition to the reasons mentioned above, I'm somewhat emotionally attached to my speedplays . I rode my first (and so far only) century in them a month ago!

[smilingcat]

maybe its not the pedal, It could be the fit of your shoe, kind of socks you are wearing or you got your shoe on too loose or too tight.

However, the size of the pedal, the overall contact area (forgot what it is called) is small and can cause problems as you mentioned. If the sole of your shoe isn't super stiff on a speedplay, you will most likely get the hot burning sensation right over the pedal area of your feet. You may need to get a stiffer soled shoes. If you think its stiff enough, I may even try one of the insole inserts some runners use on their shoes to cushion the impact energy. You would have to readjust your seat height and loosent the straps on your shoes if you try the insert.

Try few other things before you give up on the light action pedals. It is a very nice pair of pedals.

Smilingcat

[ilima]

I ride Speedplay X2s.

I've found thin, thin socks work best for me. I was using some padded socks--which work great for running--and getting horrible hot spots for distances over about 35 miles. This is with Specialized's TriVent shoe, which has a carbon sole.

I tried Shimano's SPD-SLs, which I tried because they had a huge platform. I still got hot spots.

It was then that I started experimenting with my socks. Truth be told, I'd probably be fine without socks, although my shoes would end up a lot stinkier.

So, I'd start with finding the thinnest socks you can.

Sigh. What I am about to write saddens me. I love my Speedplay light action pedals. They are the first and only clipless pedals I have ever used. I love how easy they are to clip in and out of. I love the float. I love the way they look. BUT.... I have major issues with hot foot.

My cleat is as far back as it will go. If the temps outside are above 75 and the mileage moves beyond 10, my foot begins to flame . Has anyone else had these issues, especially with their speedplays? Any suggestions short of getting new pedals? Different shoes, socks? (Note: my funds are very limited. Law school ).

I have thought that if I continue to have problems I may give Look Keos a shot. I'd like that to be a last resort. In addition to the reasons mentioned above, I'm somewhat emotionally attached to my speedplays . I rode my first (and so far only) century in them a month ago!

[Becky]

What kind of shoes are you using? While the pedal itself is very small, the cleat and pedal together end up having about the same contact area as a Look or SPD-SL pedal.... I'd look at my shoes and socks before I'd change pedals. Y'all can have my Speedplays when you pry them from my cold dead fingers!

[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?

[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...

[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.