Foot hurting - Need advice

[lerouc]

Hi

 

I hope i posted this in the right section.

 

Last year I did Die Burger on my MTB with my MTB cleats (CB Candys) using my cheapie Olympic MTB shoes. At kilometre 60 my right foot was hurting so bad under the foot that I had to remove it from the cleat and pedal most of the way back with only my left leg. I could barely walk.

 

So after the race, speaking to some local bike shops, I hear I am getting “hotspots” under my feet which is a combination of the pedal and the shoe I am using, or something like that.

 

So I went out and bought myself a pair of road cleats (the cheap Look ones) and a pair of second hand road shoes with carbon soles. (the shoes are a tight fit but I was told that the shoes must be tight)

 

In the meantime I also acquired a road bike. I’ve been training 1h-1h30m with the bike with no issues but Saturday I took it out for a 3h +- 80km ride and the pain is back at the sole of my foot. Not so much so that I couldn’t pedal but I was walking funny afterwards for an hour or so.

 

Another thing while I ride my toes tend to get a bit numb – don’t know if it is related?

 

What can it be? Are my shoes too tight? Is my cleats not in the correct position?

 

I hope someone can help me because Die burger is in less than 3 weeks.

 

Thanks,

Cobus

[lerouc]

??

[MTBc]

I started riding with cleats a month ago. First week, constant cramps just behind the ball of my right foot (I am left footed, if that makes a difference). Week 2: raised my seat a few cm's, as I wasn't extending my legs properly when pedalling - not a single cramp since.

 

I also spoke to one of the guys from Linden cycles, and they said I could come in to set cleats and bike up, I am sure you could go to a reputable shop in your area and get some assistance...

[lerouc]

I had an ergo fit done so i dont think its the saddle height. I spoke to the guy that did my ergo fit and he said it can either be because my cleats are to forward or because my shoes are too tight on the sides.

 

So my cleats are basically at the most back it can be so im guessing it might be the shoes.

 

I just dont want to go out and buy new shoes and the problem does not go away.

 

Any more suggestions?

Edited November 13, 2012 by lerouc

[Mojoman]

I periodically scrunch up my toes 5 or 6 times to keep the blood flowing on long rides. Prehaps try some different socks?

[lerouc]

I periodically scrunch up my toes 5 or 6 times to keep the blood flowing on long rides. Prehaps try some different socks?

 

Ja i do that as well. I usually rode with thicker shocks but because its a tight fit i got myself some thinner socks but still not working.

[Disylizzy]

I have/get the same problem wrt toes going numb/dead.

 

I ended up purchasing shoes that are slightly wider, and then I don't pull the velcro tight at all, i.e. just press it down. I also flex my toes periodically to get some blood flow back in to them. I also wear very thin socks

 

Usually though, the fitter I get and more time I spend biking, the less it happens.

 

Also, for the hotfoot thing, I've been trying out different saddles, and the one saddle caused me to get hotfoot, which I had never experienced before. My conclusion with that is the saddle is pressing on a nerve or something thats reducing blood flow, if I get up out of the saddle every so often that seems to help.

[BodyBikeFit]

Hi lerouc

Yes it is called hotspots, but it is not caused by saddle height at all. What causes the problem is your longitudinal arch of your foot elongating in the shoe. This is completely normal as it is part of the normal walking/ running action. Now most of your feet's nerves and arteries runs through your tarsal and metatarsals (foot bones), but the problem is with cycling is that your feet are static in the shoe. Now with this elongation it cuts off blood supply and irritates the nerves. That is what causes hotfoot.

 

How to solve the problem...First you need to make sure your shoes are the correct size and not too tight fitting, secondly you need to get to a Specialized dealer and speak to a Bodygeometry Fit Technician. They will definitely be able to assist you. What the do is analyse your specific foot structure and from that the recommend the correct foot support. The foot support helps your feet to relax in your shoes, promotes blood flow and also relieves pressure off your nerves running through your feet and therefore preventing hotfoot completely.

[lerouc]

Hi lerouc

Yes it is called hotspots, but it is not caused by saddle height at all. What causes the problem is your longitudinal arch of your foot elongating in the shoe. This is completely normal as it is part of the normal walking/ running action. Now most of your feet's nerves and arteries runs through your tarsal and metatarsals (foot bones), but the problem is with cycling is that your feet are static in the shoe. Now with this elongation it cuts off blood supply and irritates the nerves. That is what causes hotfoot.

 

How to solve the problem...First you need to make sure your shoes are the correct size and not too tight fitting, secondly you need to get to a Specialized dealer and speak to a Bodygeometry Fit Technician. They will definitely be able to assist you. What the do is analyse your specific foot structure and from that the recommend the correct foot support. The foot support helps your feet to relax in your shoes, promotes blood flow and also relieves pressure off your nerves running through your feet and therefore preventing hotfoot completely.

 

Dankie

[DR ◣◢]

Hi lerouc

Yes it is called hotspots, but it is not caused by saddle height at all. What causes the problem is your longitudinal arch of your foot elongating in the shoe. This is completely normal as it is part of the normal walking/ running action. Now most of your feet's nerves and arteries runs through your tarsal and metatarsals (foot bones), but the problem is with cycling is that your feet are static in the shoe. Now with this elongation it cuts off blood supply and irritates the nerves. That is what causes hotfoot.

 

How to solve the problem...First you need to make sure your shoes are the correct size and not too tight fitting, secondly you need to get to a Specialized dealer and speak to a Bodygeometry Fit Technician. They will definitely be able to assist you. What the do is analyse your specific foot structure and from that the recommend the correct foot support. The foot support helps your feet to relax in your shoes, promotes blood flow and also relieves pressure off your nerves running through your feet and therefore preventing hotfoot completely.

 

What would need to be wrong on the bike setup to cause Plantar Fasciitis?

[BodyBikeFit]

What would need to be wrong on the bike setup to cause Plantar Fasciitis?

It could also be cause and or be worsened by inadequate foot support. Remember our lower extremities are not really designed for cycling, but for efficient walking/ running. So the correct shoes with adequate support is essential. But cleat position, saddle height and the amount of flex in your shoes (the stiffer, the better) can also be factors in causing more discomfort. Have a look HERE, but you are more than welcome just to come in and have a chat with me.

[ss_quassie]

Stop kicking things!

[SwissVan]

Hi lerouc

Yes it is called hotspots, but it is not caused by saddle height at all. What causes the problem is your longitudinal arch of your foot elongating in the shoe. This is completely normal as it is part of the normal walking/ running action. Now most of your feet's nerves and arteries runs through your tarsal and metatarsals (foot bones), but the problem is with cycling is that your feet are static in the shoe. Now with this elongation it cuts off blood supply and irritates the nerves. That is what causes hotfoot.

 

How to solve the problem...First you need to make sure your shoes are the correct size and not too tight fitting, secondly you need to get to a Specialized dealer and speak to a Bodygeometry Fit Technician. They will definitely be able to assist you. What the do is analyse your specific foot structure and from that the recommend the correct foot support. The foot support helps your feet to relax in your shoes, promotes blood flow and also relieves pressure off your nerves running through your feet and therefore preventing hotfoot completely.

 

BBF thats good advice and hopefully it will be able to solve lerouc's foot problem.

Just want to add something from my side that he might consider if your suggestions dont pan out for him based on my own experiences.

 

I always suffered with sore feet and toe pain (due to "dropped" metatarsals) on rides longer than +/- 3hrs and sometimes even less depending on the time of the year i.e. how much training i had done, the more training the worse the pain got and the sooner it started.

 

Did everything you mentioned above plus lots more over the years, different shoes, pedals, positions, cycling specific orthotics with a metatarsal bar and and and..... nothing ever solved it properly.

 

About 2 years ago i read up about mid foot cleat position (google it) and instead of going the whole way to mid foot cleats i decided to modify my shoes by elongating the cleat slots on my shoes further back. Elongated them about 12 - 15 mm longer towards the mid foot area and moved my cleats (Time ATAC) all the way back in the now longer slots. Worked like a charm, did cape epic training and rode the whole event and never felt any pain foot or toe pain.

 

The only problem is that the sole of the shoes (Specialized S works) are not completely flat so far back and this effects the engagement of the pedal and cleat slightly (becomes a bit loose) and have uncleated once or twice unintentionaly when bunny hopping.... but otherwise no problems. Also had to lower my saddle height by a few mm to compensate for the more rearward cleat position.

 

Would be nice to find a shoe that accomodates a more rearward cleat position without having to go all the way to a mid foot cleat type shoe

 

Good luck

[lerouc]

 

 

BBF thats good advice and hopefully it will be able to solve lerouc's foot problem.

Just want to add something from my side that he might consider if your suggestions dont pan out for him based on my own experiences.

 

I always suffered with sore feet and toe pain (due to "dropped" metatarsals) on rides longer than +/- 3hrs and sometimes even less depending on the time of the year i.e. how much training i had done, the more training the worse the pain got and the sooner it started.

 

Did everything you mentioned above plus lots more over the years, different shoes, pedals, positions, cycling specific orthotics with a metatarsal bar and and and..... nothing ever solved it properly.

 

About 2 years ago i read up about mid foot cleat position (google it) and instead of going the whole way to mid foot cleats i decided to modify my shoes by elongating the cleat slots on my shoes further back. Elongated them about 12 - 15 mm longer towards the mid foot area and moved my cleats (Time ATAC) all the way back in the now longer slots. Worked like a charm, did cape epic training and rode the whole event and never felt any pain foot or toe pain.

 

The only problem is that the sole of the shoes (Specialized S works) are not completely flat so far back and this effects the engagement of the pedal and cleat slightly (becomes a bit loose) and have uncleated once or twice unintentionaly when bunny hopping.... but otherwise no problems. Also had to lower my saddle height by a few mm to compensate for the more rearward cleat position.

 

Would be nice to find a shoe that accomodates a more rearward cleat position without having to go all the way to a mid foot cleat type shoe

 

Good luck

 

Thanks, how did you modify your cleats?

[Bigred]

SIR Maxxis I highly doubt riding can cause Plantar Fasciitis. I bought a MTB after i was not able to walk after a decent length run, my Plantar would flare up and even after icing and stretching it was a nightmare. Thank goodness ZERO pain after riding even after 3-5 hours riding (Holding thumbs but after 6 months it's a pretty good indication riding wont flare it up).

 

Just a personal experience comment.

[SwissVan]

Thanks, how did you modify your cleats?

 

No need to modify the cleats, just the shoe sole.

They are Time mtb cleats which attach to the shoe with 2 screws, the shoe sole has 2 parallel slots which the cleats screw onto, you slide them back or forwards in the slots and then tighten them down when they are in the desired position. I lengthened the slots +/- 15mm (towards the heel of the shoe) and slide thecleats all the way back in the now lengthened slots….

 

Picture would tell the story much better…sorry don’t have a picture on hand