Speed Devil Posted August 18, 2008 Posted August 18, 2008 In 2006 I bought a set of Specialised Carbon shoes. Since then I have been battling with cramps in the toes on my left foot and after yesterday's ride the arch on my right foot just behind the ball is sore.Can a normal orthopeadic physician help sort out this problem or do I have to go to a sport science centre? I would prefer an orthopeadic physician seeing as I will be able to claim back on the medical aid.Any constructive advice would be welcome. Thanks SD
Racer X Posted August 18, 2008 Posted August 18, 2008 I get "hotspots," on my feet from time to time, I normally fiddle with the cleat position slightly, I find that helps.
GIRR Posted August 18, 2008 Posted August 18, 2008 Your problem could be a few things. Such as the insole doesn't fit your foot, I'm not sure if the 2006 shoes came with their fancy footbeds with that little bump on the middle of the insole which is supposed to spread out the metatarsal?(sorry for spelling) bones of your foot. That insole is supposed to stop cramps and help blood flow etc...Your cleat setup may also be wrong. Or the shoes might also just be the wrong shape for your foot.
SwissVan Posted August 18, 2008 Posted August 18, 2008 In 2006 I bought a set of Specialised Carbon shoes. Since then I have been battling with cramps in the toes on my left foot and after yesterday's ride the arch on my right foot just behind the ball is sore.Can a normal orthopeadic physician help sort out this problem or do I have to go to a sport science centre? I would prefer an orthopeadic physician seeing as I will be able to claim back on the medical aid.Any constructive advice would be welcome. Thanks SD Something I found out about Specialized shoes from my local LBS who is a "trained Specialized fitment person" ? Apparently Specialized cycling shoes soles are not neutral (i.e.flat) they are made with a - slight tilt to counter act the average cyclists tendency to pronate. Maybe you are not amongst the average and this may be causing the problem. <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />Specialized do sell separately different types of shoe inner soles (red, green and blue inners) with different degrees of support for people who need arch or metatarsal support. They also sell + (varus) and ? (valgus) wedges which fit under the insole which can be used to correct leg alignment issues. If you can try a different pair of shoes (neutral ones like Shimano) or get help from a qualified podiatrist who has some cycling experience, rather than messing around with insoles and wedges yourself.
Speed Devil Posted August 18, 2008 Author Posted August 18, 2008 Thanks Swissvan. Maybe somebody here on the HUB knows a podiatrist with cycling experience?
cycleq Posted August 18, 2008 Posted August 18, 2008 If your shoes do not have the BG footbeds you can buy them separately from a Spec dealer. They should also be able to put you on the pressure bed to determine which footbed you require. I had lots of success with these footbeds (in Shimano shoes BTW). Also, as mentioned, step one would be to experiment with cleat position and strap tension. Try moving cleats as far back on your shoes as you can (i.e foot forward) and ride like this for a while. See if the problem remains or changes in any way. But a podiatrist or ortho won't help right now until you have reference data from positioning changes.
Speed Devil Posted August 18, 2008 Author Posted August 18, 2008 Cycleq do you know where I can find a dealer who has a pressure bed? Do you think a setup at cyclefit wiil help?Speed Devil2008-08-18 12:31:46
Zoo Cookie Posted August 18, 2008 Posted August 18, 2008 Struggle with the same problem. Also just in the left foot. So, I'm also on a mission trying different things to eliminate the problem. The Specialized inner soles came highly recommended, but I'm yet to try them out for myself. Got myself some BG Women Specialized shoes first , so busy trying them out first before I move on. Done two rides now with the new shoes. Find that it does help, but problem not completly solved.
Weekend_Warrior Posted August 18, 2008 Posted August 18, 2008 do you know where I can find a dealer who has a pressure bed? I would assume that any dealer that stocks Specialized shoes should have one. Dont expect to walk out with a full wallet coz last i checked they were about R500.00Weekend_Warrior2008-08-18 13:27:31
Minion Posted August 18, 2008 Posted August 18, 2008 I've also had problems with toe cramping on my MTB shoes (also Specialized carbon). It turns out I was clenching my toes to 'fill' the shoe on every up-stroke of the pedal. I managed to fix it to a large extent by tightening the front-most strap and concentrating on keeping my toes relaxed. Surprisingly, I've never had the problem with my road shoes (again Specialized carbon), even though they are essentially the same construction and size as the MTB ones.
cycleq Posted August 18, 2008 Posted August 18, 2008 Cycle Lab can do the testing, as can Fritz or if desperate, call Le Peloton for advice.
paulvs Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 mmm I've got the same problem with my right foot using the spacialized sport road shoe... now I'm really not prepared to fork out another 500 bucks for innersoles... as far as I'm concerned specialized can take keep their shoes as I'm not even prepared to buy anymore of their products...
cycleq Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 mmm I've got the same problem with my right foot using the spacialized sport road shoe... now I'm really not prepared to fork out another 500 bucks for innersoles... as far as I'm concerned specialized can take keep their shoes as I'm not even prepared to buy anymore of their products... Perhaps before you spit the dummy you might try adjusting the cleat position........ You could even try different strap tensions and avoid buying any more of those deficient SpecZ products.cycleq2008-08-19 11:29:25
paulvs Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 mmm I've got the same problem with my right foot using the spacialized sport road shoe... now I'm really not prepared to fork out another 500 bucks for innersoles... as far as I'm concerned specialized can take keep their shoes as I'm not even prepared to buy anymore of their products... Perhaps before you spit the dummy you might try adjusting the cleat position........ You could even try different strap tensions and avoid buying any more of those deficient SpecZ products. been there.. tried that or all positions possible that a cleat can move to... any other brilliant idea's?
Zoo Cookie Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 been there.. tried that or all positions possible that a cleat can move to... any other brilliant idea's? stop cycling! problem solved.
paulvs Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 been there.. tried that or all positions possible that a cleat can move to... any other brilliant idea's? stop cycling! problem solved. Would you like to borrow my grandads eye brow trimmer?
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