Problem with new shoes

[Ge4orce]

Hi everyone.

 

So I got new SPD shoes in 2018 and since new they have been very uncomfortable. Specifically they feel like the pedal and the cleats are pressing on the ball of my foot. It is also gets worse when I stand and ride. I have never had this problem and it just keeps getting worse the heavier I get. I have tried moving the cleats backwards but it does not remove the problem. Has anyone else had the same experience before of know how to fix the issue? Any help would be appreciated as I don't have the money to buy new shoes now.

[RobbyB]

Maybe a good quality insert might help? Try "borrow" a set from your running/sport shoes to see if it makes a difference?? Make sure the cover is still in place covering the cleats on the inside of the shoes...

[Ge4orce]

Maybe a good quality insert might help? Try "borrow" a set from your running/sport shoes to see if it makes a difference?? Make sure the cover is still in place covering the cleats on the inside of the shoes...

Unfortunately I don't think inserts will help. I have custom orthopedic inserts and they don't even make a difference. The cover is also still there. It really is a weird problem to me. Can shoes really be so badly designed?

[BaGearA]

Unfortunately I don't think inserts will help. I have custom orthopedic inserts and they don't even make a difference. The cover is also still there. It really is a weird problem to me. Can shoes really be so badly designed?

 

Yes

 

 

You need to look for shoes that suit you.

 

510 and spez shoes are the only ones I've found to work for me, had bad run ins with Scott and Giro shoes in the past and it's not because I thi k they're bad, just not suited to me

[Ge4orce]

Yes

 

 

You need to look for shoes that suit you.

 

510 and spez shoes are the only ones I've found to work for me, had bad run ins with Scott and Giro shoes in the past and it's not because I thi k they're bad, just not suited to me

Well then I should go back to Shimano. I have Ryder now and I have had them in the past without any problems. Will have to test ride the next pair.

[DR ◣◢]

You have had this problem for 2 years? Man alive. I would have taken them back the next day.

Agree. I give a pair of shoes about 4 rides to break in. After that it’s back in the box if they don’t work.

 

We spend thousands on gear and your contact points remain the most important part of your gear. It has to be perfect or your ride is ruined

Edited November 7, 2020 by DR ◣◢

[Chris_]

What about the sole stiffness? Could that make the difference? I've always thought it was just marketing trickery but you never know

[SwissVan]

Hi everyone.

 

So I got new SPD shoes in 2018 and since new they have been very uncomfortable. Specifically they feel like the pedal and the cleats are pressing on the ball of my foot. It is also gets worse when I stand and ride. I have never had this problem and it just keeps getting worse the heavier I get. I have tried moving the cleats backwards but it does not remove the problem. Has anyone else had the same experience before of know how to fix the issue? Any help would be appreciated as I don't have the money to buy new shoes now.

Maybe the problem is not the shoes, you mention in another post that you have custom orthotics, why do you have custom orthotics?

Do your orthotics have a metatarsal bar (raised support behind the ball of the foot)?

Specialized have shoe inserts which have a metatarsal bar, however these tend to be a bit conservative compared to a custom made insert (orthotic).

 

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/body-geometry-sl-footbeds/p/130590?color=228463-130590&searchText=613E-9436

 

 

You could have a problem with your feet (dropped metatarsals for example) and the “new” shoes are maybe stiffer or different in a way that is highlighting a foot problem.

 

If the above does not solve the problem...

You say you already tried to move the cleats back, how far and was there any improvement?

I would suggest for trouble shooting purposes to review the linked article on cleat set up first

 

https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bikefit/2011/04/power-to-the-pedal-cleat-position/

 

and then also move the cleats ALL the way back as far as the slot in the shoes allow.

If this brings some improvement then you might consider elongating the slots to allow more rearward movement, about 1cm more. Note that you will need to adjust your seat height slightly lower) the more you move your cleats back.

 

I’ve suffered foot pain for most of my cycling life and a combination of orthotics and moving my cleats back (elongating the shoe slots) was the only thing that cured the problem 100%.

 

Good luck

[BaGearA]

What about the sole stiffness? Could that make the difference? I've always thought it was just marketing trickery but you never know

Definitely

 

I've had both versions of the 510 kestrel

 

One has a carbon sole and the other a plastic sole

 

 

Plastic is still plenty stiff but that little bit of extra flex is perfect for me

[Chris_]

...

 

Plastic is still plenty stiff but that little bit of extra flex is perfect for me

Interesting, I've heard this a fair bit recently and (unfortunately) I've always bought the stiffest sole my budget allows at the time, thinking - well if the pros use super stiff then so should I. Which is probably the worst thing to assume, across the board ????

[Emazing]

I bought Shimano carbon stiffness 8/9 they killing me I used the three time. I am not used to such a hard under sole. I want to sell them sadly.. they look cool and are light.

[Emazing]

I bought Shimano carbon stiffness 8/9 they killing me I used the three time. I am not used to such a hard under sole. I want to sell them sadly.. they look cool and are light.

[Veebee]

"Keeps" getting worse the heavier you get ?

Sorry for pointing this out but why are you getting heavier ?

 

Shoes are personal, like saddles and other things. You have to find what works for you.

 

For me, Shimano does the job. Have been using the higher end carbon soles for about 4 years now, no issues.

[Ge4orce]

"Keeps" getting worse the heavier you get ?

Sorry for pointing this out but why are you getting heavier ?

 

Shoes are personal, like saddles and other things. You have to find what works for you.

 

For me, Shimano does the job. Have been using the higher end carbon soles for about 4 years now, no issues.

Haha I use to cycle all the time and then I switched over to offroad motorcycle racing which requires a bit more muscle mass. Then I got injured and couldn't do any proper training for a long time. Plus I am just getting older can't eat what I use to. So yeah I weigh about 25 kg more than my good cycling years. Unfortunately I don't have the finances to get new shoes now so I am trying to address the issue if possible.

[Ge4orce]

Agree. I give a pair of shoes about 4 rides to break in. After that it’s back in the box if they don’t work.

 

We spend thousands on gear and your contact points remain the most important part of your gear. It has to be perfect or your ride is ruined

Initially the problem wasn't that bad and I thought it would take some time to get accustomed to the new shoes and then my injury happened to much time passed before I rode again. After my long break due to injury I tried to start cycling again but now they are extremely uncomfortable.