Look, Shimano, or Speedplay?

[pll]

Minor hijack of this thread, which I've been reading with great interest: about the issue of contact surface... would hot spots or pain in the ball of the foot go away with a more rigid shoe? In other words, does the large contact surface matter if you have a very rigid shoe sole?

I'm in the same situation as bonnypriest, considering a change in pedals. I tried Shimano 105 pedals with a pair of Sidi Genius 5 Pro shoes. The shoes are a definite upgrade over my current ones.

[Bike Chick]

Minor hijack of this thread, which I've been reading with great interest: about the issue of contact surface... would hot spots or pain in the ball of the foot go away with a more rigid shoe? In other words, does the large contact surface matter if you have a very rigid shoe sole?

I'm in the same situation as bonnypriest, considering a change in pedals. I tried Shimano 105 pedals with a pair of Sidi Genius 5 Pro shoes. The shoes are a definite upgrade over my current ones.

Sorry if I add to the hijack. Hot spots and foot pain was the reason I changed from spd pedals and my shoes in the first place. I went to Specialized carbon road shoes and Speedplay pedals and now am riding Time Iclic pedals. I don't have any more hot spot issues and it's a relief.

[alpinerabbit]

Minor hijack of this thread, which I've been reading with great interest: about the issue of contact surface... would hot spots or pain in the ball of the foot go away with a more rigid shoe? In other words, does the large contact surface matter if you have a very rigid shoe sole?

I'm in the same situation as bonnypriest, considering a change in pedals. I tried Shimano 105 pedals with a pair of Sidi Genius 5 Pro shoes. The shoes are a definite upgrade over my current ones.

If you have previously ridden shoes with non-rigid soles, absolutely cycing shoes help. But if you still get it, you might have dropped arches and orthotics with a metatarsal lift would do more than a different pedal.

[Crankin]

Well, again, I don't see the big deal about cleat covers. Since they are always on my shoes, they are just part of the routine. As soon as I get off of my bike, they go back on, so losing them is not an issue. But, once in awhile one has fallen off while walking (usually my fault, I didn't snap it in all of the way), so we just keep a supply of them. Once in awhile, the group I ride with (which I love, because they are so not into competition), has a ride where we have to walk through stuff that is not fun. Like walking over the steel bridge sidewalk over the Piscataqua River between Maine and NH. It takes me a minute to put the covers on and yes, if I have to walk far, it can't be fast. But, I also think part of it is me; I wouldn't plan a ride that had any of this stuff. Sometimes the group rides over small patches of packed dirt and with skinny tires, I don't like that either. It doesn't seem to phase anyone else. I think I am the only person in the group who has road pedals, so I don't say anything.

[jobob]

Well, again, I don't see the big deal about cleat covers.

There isn't; I know a bunch of people who use Speedplays and like them a lot and have no trouble at all with cleat covers.

I'm just too klutzy and absentminded.

And I'm getting to where I like to do leisurely rides, stop for coffee and snacks, that kind of thing. My cycling goals and motivations might be very different from yours.

In which case, what works for me likely wouldn't work for you, and rightly so.

That's all.

[ny biker]

I just bought Speedplay cleat covers at the LBS today. Also bought lube for the cleats and had them show me where to apply it.

I expect I won't always bring the cleat covers with me when I ride -- sometimes I know I won't have to do much walking. But I can think of a few organized rides with reststops n parks that require walking on dirt (or mud) so the covers should come in handy then.

[colorisnt]

If you have previously ridden shoes with non-rigid soles, absolutely cycing shoes help. But if you still get it, you might have dropped arches and orthotics with a metatarsal lift would do more than a different pedal.

Never thought to wear mine in my road shoes. I have a pair of ultrathin ones I got with my running ones which would def fit.

[pll]

@colorisnt: I had some numbness with my mountain bike shoes + SPD pedals when I started riding longer distances. I bought some over the counter orthotics (from Specialized) and end of problem.