Toe cramps while cycling, why?

[SurferChild]

I got myself the Sidi Mega shoe, of which the toe box is much wider than the normal shoe... bye bye numbness and never had cramps in my toes.

 

It's weird that you had the shoes for a year and only picking up issues now? Can also be worn inner soles. Do you have enough foot bridge support on your soles?

[Patchelicious]

Hi Hennie thanks for the advice, I think I do curl my toes and I have tried to relax them but its not really working. Seeing that it only started when the weather got warmer, it might be that my feet swell in the narrow italian shoes, will have to go look for shoes made for the "african plat voet" its just a bit sad that the shoes only lasted a year and a half as they where expensive.

 

Look at Sidi, they make a Wide....

[bebop]

I got myself the Sidi Mega shoe, of which the toe box is much wider than the normal shoe... bye bye numbness and never had cramps in my toes.

 

It's weird that you had the shoes for a year and only picking up issues now? Can also be worn inner soles. Do you have enough foot bridge support on your soles?

 

I dont understand that either that I only have problems now, I can only think of 2 the heat and my feet is swelling in the narrow front or the shoes are worn.

 

I think it might be worn, I had a quick look and it seems that they have done over 3000km since April this year.

 

I use the pearl izumi inners the very nice.

[SurferChild]

Swelling of the foot is a definate possibility, especially this time of the year when things are warming up, but brings me back to the year question again. Did you not use them last summer?

 

I'm no expert but I do have "some" experience with getting the right shoe, as I went through 3 pairs of shoes, quite a number of shoe inserts and of course a Bike Fit setup before I found the right recipe that works for my feet.

 

A few things that i picked up along the way.... you need to have proper foot support (from the inners) especially if you have a high foot bridge (like i have). It may be that the foot bridge support on your soles have gone soft because of wear and sweat. Check the inners for wear or flatness under the ball area. If you exersise to much downward pressure from the ball of your foot without any padding between your foot and the cleat, it is bound to get eina after a while.

Edited October 29, 2013 by SurferChild

[bebop]

Swelling of the foot is a definate possibility, especially this time of the year when things are warming up, but brings me back to the year question again. Did you not use them last summer?

 

I'm no expert but I do have "some" experience with getting the right shoe, as I went through 3 pairs of shoes, quite a number of shoe inserts and of course a Bike Fit setup before I found the right recipe that works for my feet.

 

A few things that i picked up along the way.... you need to have proper foot support (from the inners) especially if you have a high foot bridge (like i have). It may be that the foot bridge support on your soles have gone soft because of wear and sweat. Check the inners for wear or flatness under the ball area. If you exersise to much downward pressure from the ball of your foot without any padding between your foot and the cleat, it is bound to get eina after a while.

 

On your summer question - I got them last feb did a couple of rides and races but sort of stopped as work, travel and cycling didn't mix. Didn't ride through winter and only a couple of rides in December started with proper riding since beginning this year. Im starting to think it might be the shoes and they showing their true colours.

 

Did you go to a podiatrist to see about your bridge and your general foot support or was it more trial and error?

 

I will try the shoes inner tonight just to see what happens.

 

Thanks for the help and information.

[christinejvr]

I had severe pain in both my feet that also developed only after years of cycling. My feet/toe pain/cramps were caused by irritation of the nerves that run through the balls of the feet (possible that this can only start after a while of riding - something like an overuse injury...). A sport doctor advised me to insert an extra inner (any old one) with a hole cut out underneath the ball of your foot. Gives more room for the nerve. Leave a bit of inner under the bridge for extra support. I cut some extra pieces out (side of foot, underneath the big toe) to give extra room at those places (shoe was too tight there). Go for a trial & error approach here.

 

It works like a charm. I have been riding with these extra inners for two years now without any foot problems.

 

See picture: the black one fits underneath the blue one. I am using the same in Specialized and SIDI shoes.

inners.bmp

[BDF]

Hi Hennie thanks for the advice, I think I do curl my toes and I have tried to relax them but its not really working. Seeing that it only started when the weather got warmer, it might be that my feet swell in the narrow italian shoes, will have to go look for shoes made for the "african plat voet" its just a bit sad that the shoes only lasted a year and a half as they where expensive.

 

I bought Time shoes because they have a wider sole. Maybe try them?

[fabs]

Something else has changed. Perhaps your socks? Don't underestimate them

[SwissVan]

Not sure if anyone has had this or have any idea how to prevent/cure this.

 

Background:

I do about 240 - 300km a week thats about 9-10hr split between MTB and road riding.

I have good shoes "Mavic's" and been riding with them for the past year and a half. I ride with the same shoe on the road so both pedals on the MTB and the road bike is SPD's.

 

Problem:

2 weeks ago on a MTB ride my left foots toes cramped so badly after about 55km, that after we stopped at about 72km my toes where blue as a result of the cramps and sore for about 2 days after. From that day I have been having toe cramps every time I ride, regardless if its road or MTB.

 

What I have tried so far (nothing has worked from below):

Move cleat positioning

Bought a expensive inner that can be lifted at the toe or bridge

Loosening shoe

Tightening shoe

 

Solution:

?????????????????

 

You mention cleat position, did u try moving the cleats all the way back (towards the heel)? Just an idea if you don't come right

 

I've always suffered with toe pain as a result of pressure on nerves in the ball area of my foot.

Have tried all sorts of shoes, orthotics etc.... and the best solution was to move my cleats as far back as possible. In fact I elongated the cleat slots to allow me to move them a further +/- 12mm further back.

No toe pain since I did this. Here's a pic of my shoe sole showing the elongated slots and rear cleat position.

 

Initially I tried moving the cleat all the way back that the standard slot would allow, this provided a little relief but not enough which is why elongated them.