Comfortable Road Shoes Needed

KaktusJaque

(Big Sigh) Shoes. I wanted to post this to see what kind of feedback I can get from you. I have never really been comfortable in my bike shoes, and I can't figure it out. I'm good up to about 3 hours of riding, but I don't believe I would ever be able to do a century ride with my current set up. My current rides never go over 3 hours, so I am able to tolerate them, but I aspire to do bigger and longer rides, and I have to get on top of this issue.

My current setup, Specialized Body Geometry Comps (SPD). These are MTB shoes and I paid about $170.00 for them. I had the same problem with cheaper made shoes before these, so I thought by getting a better quality shoe it would elevate the problem, and although it helped, the problem did not go away.

I have tried different socks, regular socks, some expensive sports socks, and no socks at all.

I have tried moving the cleat back and forth a bit, but no real significant change there.

You may be asking why in the hell is he using a MTB shoe for his road bike? There are two reasons; first, I wanted to only have one shoe for both my road and MTB. Second, I have ended up walking what would seem like thousands of miles on the road due to mechanical bike failures. The MTB shoes have “cleats” that support the foot for walking whereas the road shoe does not.

So what could it be? I now suspect it may be the SPD shoe and cleat setup . But I wanted so see what yall have to say before I go and fork out some Lincoln’s for new pedals and shoes, only to maybe have the same problem. I am willing to ditch my SPDs for my road bike in an attempt to be able to ride longer in a pair of shoes. It seems that SPDs are the least popular for road bikes anyway...hmm maybe thats a clue. (besides I am in a bit better standing in life that I dont need to share shoes between bikes anymore)

dolcezza72

You never said what it was about the shoe that is bothering you??? Blisters, numbness, why do they hurt?

KaktusJaque

Ok its not really Pain, just real discomfort or a real dull pain (for lack of a better word that I can think of just now). I guess it could turn into a larger pain over time, but it happens in the region in red in this picture. I've also tried loosing up my shoe straps to eleivate the pressue in this region, still no go.

Archon2

Hey I also use MTB shoes and spd pedals and cleats as well on the road bike right now. The shoes are Pearl Izumis. I had some pain in the little toes a few times, but just adjusting the strap tension on the toes end and firming up the straps near the ankle cleared it up completely. My feet are probably a little wide haha.

What kind of discomfort? Pain in the joints of the foot or on the skin? Since you tried multiple kinds of shoe, it probably isn't the brand. The cleat type and the system (Eggbeaters, SPDs, etc) are probably not the problem either, since the soles of the shoe are stiff enough that you should not be feeling the pedal directly. I am thinking your the position your feet are locked into isn't ideal for you.

Do you get the pain walking or running?

What about your foot-heel angle? If your seat is too high you will come down on the pedal with the heel too elevated. Likewise, if the seat is too low, your heel might come down below the pedal. Try different seat levels?

Maybe if you can angle your feet in or out a little more, you might be more comfortable. There are different kinds of cleats that should give your more range. Also, maybe the length of the crank arms might be too short or long. Lots of stuff a good bike shop might be able to help with perhaps.

KaktusJaque

Yeah, maybe I do need to go to my local bike shop, not a bad idea. No pain in walking, and I dont do any running, (sorry Kenneth). The discomfort is not in the bones or joints, more like skin and muscle.

TheBigYin

I think that the problem is likely to be the actual contact point size of the SPD pedal/cleat area. Most "proper" road pedals have a large area of contact in order to minimise the "hot spot" effect.

One possibility could be the SPD's that are intended for touring - they have a "frame" around the cleat retention clips which support the whole fore-foot... something like these

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-a520-touring-pedals/

BusyRaeNOTBusty

Are your shoes too narrow for your feet? Mine were and I got similar pain throughout the whole foot area. I agree that a good bike shop should be able to help with fit. I ended up with Shimanos because they run wide.

TheBigYin

If you need WIDE shoes, try the Sidi Mega range... Think they do a couple of models in the MTB genre, as well as proper road shoes. That said, I need the Mega's in Sidi Shoes, but have no problems in width with Specialized footwear...

Still think it's more likely to be the "contact spot" thats the problem though - and at £20 for a pair of the pedals has got to be worth a punt - even if it doesn't solve it, it's a spare pair of pedals, which is always handy to have.

lpherman01

I wear the SIDI Dominator 5 mega width using XTR SPD pedals on all my bikes and they are great. They became even more comfortable when I got the e-Soles adjustable foot bed. No problems at all regardless of how far I ride as long as I don't make them too tight. Then they squeeze the ball of my foot and I get a hot spot in the middle or over to the side. I think that a lot of people make their shoes too tight. Tighten the main strap, but leave the 2 lower straps looser.

Archon2

I wear the SIDI Dominator 5 mega width using XTR SPD pedals on all my bikes and they are great. They became even more comfortable when I got the e-Soles adjustable foot bed. No problems at all regardless of how far I ride as long as I don't make them too tight. Then they squeeze the ball of my foot and I get a hot spot in the middle or over to the side. I think that a lot of people make their shoes too tight. Tighten the main strap, but leave the 2 lower straps looser.

I have to agree on the strap tightness. What little pain I had was due to the lower straps being too tight as well. But it wasn't evident until I rode for a couple hours.

Lukejacksmum

I wear the SIDI Dominator 5 mega width using XTR SPD pedals on all my bikes and they are great. They became even more comfortable when I got the e-Soles adjustable foot bed. No problems at all regardless of how far I ride as long as I don't make them too tight. Then they squeeze the ball of my foot and I get a hot spot in the middle or over to the side. I think that a lot of people make their shoes too tight. Tighten the main strap, but leave the 2 lower straps looser.

Want to say a huge thank you x

I have Sidi and I was doing them up too tight and getting sore feet! Today I tried what you said and felt so much better x

lpherman01

Want to say a huge thank you x

I have Sidi and I was doing them up too tight and getting sore feet! Today I tried what you said and felt so much better x

Glad to hear its working for you. :drinker:

mstripes

Go see your BG fitter and see what he says. It could be a number of things: cleats too far forward, stance too narrow, might need wedge, or you might need new or different insoles.

CycleCarolina

Tried and true:
Loosen ALL three straps, or all straps if you have fewer. You've loosened them some, try a bit more. The strap that crosses the toes should not be tight at all. It should just lay gently across the velcro. No pulling or tightening.

As long as you are able to get out of the cleat (meaning your foot doesn't move too much inside the shoe), you can ride with very loose shoes. That may eradicate the numbness for you.

Archon2

Bump. KJ, wondering if you figured this out or have you been logging all those TdF Challenge miles with the pain still there?

KaktusJaque

Bump. KJ, wondering if you figured this out or have you been logging all those TdF Challenge miles with the pain still there?

Well I tired what CycleCarolina recommended by loosening all my straps. This did make a change for the better. Also all this riding has broken the shoes in more than before, also creating a bit better situation. However I still feel the HOT foot part when I have a bigger effort riding. I'm thinking this could be attribiuted to incorrect cleat placement. I still desire to get Look compatable pedals and shoes here in the future, but I'm currently saving bucks for a trip to the UK in November, so all bigger expendatures are on hold for the while. I am planning on a trip to my LBS to get my bike "offically" dialed into me, which includes the cleat adjustment. In any case it has become much more acceptable, but I still dont know if I could do a century ride without a stop break.

bsexton3

I do too much reading, so I can't tell you where I learned this.

Several years ago, I rode 500 miles in five days. One day three, my feet felt like they were on fire. The last two days were painful.

I learned that I had been putting too much force on the ball of my foot. Even though that is where the pedals connect, don't put your pressure there. I was biking with the small of the foot a bit arched. That allowed the nerves there to get agitated. Now, I pay attention to making sure my feet are always flat, and I use the whole foot to pedal. Finally, I pedal through the entire rotation, moving from pushing down to pulling up.

Even so, a few times a year, I get the pain in my feet. When I do, I realize I have not been paying attention, or I have too much sock on the ball of my feet.

I too have wide feet, and make sure I get shoes that allow the ball of my feet to not get pinched.

veloman21

Count me in the EEE width crowd. As mentioned the Sidi Mega range offer wide fit sizes, one of the very few companies that do.

Your feet will swell at least a half size during the day and especially on a long ride. If you buy shoes that are snug, they will probably become a bit tight after few hours and you start to get hot spots. You may even think about buying shoes a half size larger so that you have enough room in the summer heat and also for wearing thicker wool socks in the winter

Cleat position fore/aft and angle also have a bearing as does side to side movement or uneven foot pressure (use a wedge)

kerrylikesbikes

I wear SIDI shoes also (Dominator). Plus super feet insoles.

I was having the hot spot problem on road rides where my cadence tends to be faster and distances longer. (I also had SPD on both bikes for same reason, wanting one pair of shoes).

I finally switched to road pedal system shoes and the hot spot when away. Stayed with SPD/mt. bike clips on touring bike.

It's not ideal but I just decided I was getting older and my body is not as efficient as it used to be.

However I totally agree with loosing up the shoes in the front, I did that and it helped. Also, I start out with the last ratcheting shoe closure very loose, and tighten it down (if I need to) after about an hour of riding. My feet do swell up and if I tighten to what is comfortable at beginning of the ride that is too tight later.

TheBigYin

Good point on the insoles...it's not something I thought about at first, because due to an accident resulting in my having odd length legs I have to use custom orthotics instead of the standard insoles... But, don't the specialised insoles have a deliberate Metatarsal Bump right about where you mention the problem occurring. Perhaps a change of insole may help... There are even heat re-mouldable ones that may be worth a try.

mstripes

Good point on the insoles...it's not something I thought about at first, because due to an accident resulting in my having odd length legs I have to use custom orthotics instead of the standard insoles... But, don't the specialised insoles have a deliberate Metatarsal Bump right about where you mention the problem occurring. Perhaps a change of insole may help... There are even heat re-mouldable ones that may be worth a try.

Yes Specialized has a metatarsal button and I think it works. YMMV, their insoles are not exactly cheap in price but when i bought mine comfort trumped my budget and it is time to replace them.....8k miles later or so.