Speedplays and hot foot

[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).

[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.

[sundial]

I love my Speedplay light action pedals. BUT.... I have major issues with hot foot.

What size of shoe do you wear?

If you wear larger sizes, you may have to consider a different pedal to reduce hot spots. I wear 43's and was getting hot spots on the left foot. I use Speedplay Frogs and just for kicks, I swapped 'em out for the Crank Bros Candy pedals that came with my new mtb to see if it would help my hot foot. It helped today on my 40+ miles of riding. I am ordering new shoes in hopes that a stiffer sole will help.

I found consciously checking your form whilst pedaling and making a correction may help. You may be mashing too much and your feet are very unhappy with your technique.

[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.

[colby]

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.

Maybe since your bunching is under your toes, you could try some toe socks? I love mine. I wear them for everything (except maybe super short distances where I wear some smartwools).

Mine are Injinjis... I don't know if others make athletic style toe socks. http://www.injinji.com

[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.

[Miranda]

Maybe since your bunching is under your toes, you could try some toe socks? I love mine. I wear them for everything (except maybe super short distances where I wear some smartwools).

Mine are Injinjis... I don't know if others make athletic style toe socks. http://www.injinji.com

I have never seen anything like that. Cool... thx for that link!