Road Cycling - Cycling Orthotics

Does anyone have orthotics made specifically for cycling shoes? I have a problem with my foot and have to wear orthotics when I ride. Currently, I am wearing my walking orthotics but I know someone who can make cycling orthotics. What is the advantage of having a cycle specific orthotic? Is it worth the expense?
Kathi

I guess it depends if your having problems. No problem, no orthodonics. I've heard that seeing a Dr. that rides bikes makes a big difference.

I did! He told me cycling orthotics weren't worth it. Also, he could not diagnose my foot problem even though he was a podiatrist. I had to see an orthopedic foot specialist to find out what was wrong. Because I had a broken wrist and was not riding at the time I didn't discuss the cycling orthotic idea with him.
I'm starting to notice my foot a little more especially after I ride. I was thinking maybe a cycling orthotic might ward off future problems.

I read an article sometime in the last year that talked about orthotics for cycling, including a few pros and other top racers that use them. You might do some internet searching and queries at velonews.com (I think that may have been where I read the article). Also check the advertisements and classifieds in Velo News.

Yes, I have had cycling orthotics made. Three pair in fact. In total, they've cost me (well, my parrents actually...) about a grand.

I develloped some sort of foot condition wherein I had supposedly torn up the tendons in my arch thhrough an imperfect weight distribution on the base of my foot while riding hard intervals. The pain didn't effect me in normal life, but prevented me from being any good at repeated maximal efforts (like technical crits) and the discomfort was incapacitating at times.

I had the first two pair made by a podiatrist who was not a specialist in dealing with cyclists. They were both made from non-weightbearing molds and constructed from thermoplastic. Both of these were trash, didn't help much, and their un-padded nature made my feet go numb after beyond about three hours of riding.

My latest pair of orthotics have been much better. They are soft, constructed from various densities of foam material, and were made by Bill Peterson (owner of Foot Fitness in RI). Although he is not a lisenced a podiatrist (I don't think...) he does specialize in working with cyclists. He made orthotics for Lance (he has Armstrongs foot molds on display, and MAN! were Lance's feet messed up back in the day...) Bobby Julich, everyone at team Navigators, and a lot of other domestic pro's. Jerseys signed by riders like Julich, and other pro's are on display. His expertese seems extreemely good.

Since starting use of my latest pair, my feet have felt much better, and although not perfect (I'm also undertaking sports therapy, and "shock treatments" for my feet to heal them) I've notived DRAMATIC improvements.

In terms of how a cycling specific orthotic will be different from a walking one? I'm not sure exactly, but according to Peterson, there is a difference, which is due to the fact that in walking/running there is a shift in pressure from the heel to the toe, wheras in cycling the pressure is uniform.

If you are experiencing pain, and giving up riding is not an option, then by all means the cost of addressing the issue is worth it.

- Maurizio

Depending on your foot problem there could be another solution. If your feet simply pronate a lot you could go to a good bike shop that does fittings they can measure the pronation and put a shim in your cleat if necessary to correct for it.

Thanks for the help. The first metasaral of my left foot drops lower than the other metasarals and hits the ground first. As a result the sesamoid bones get irritated and my foot hurts, I cannot walk barefoot and cannot wear dress shoes. One solution was surgery, they splice the bone then fuse it back together to shorten the metasaral. The other was othotics which cushion the metasaral, which I chose.
I did some research on the internet, and found that cycling orthotics have less material in the heel and more control in the arch and forefoot where you need it for pedaling.
Also, the cycling orthotic is stiffer than the walking orthotic.
Lately, my foot seems more irritated than normal and since the weather has cleared and I am riding more I'm wondering if the irritation is from riding.
I've been working with a certified pedotist for my ski boots and she was able to make a nice cushioned orthotic for them.
So today I went ahead and had some cycling othotics made. Supposedly, because they're stiffer I will have a better transfer of energy, also they will be cut to fit my shoe so I will have better fit.
They are expensive approximately $250 but I often spend 4-5 hrs on my bike at a time and in the long run will be well worth it. Especially if they keep the sesamoid bone happy and I can continue to avoid surgery.
Kathi

Langer (the BIG orthotic manufacturer) has custom
cycling orthotics: http://www.lbguk.com/foot.htm#CYCLIST

The advantages over regular orthotics (for sports like running):
http://bodyfix.net/cuscycor.html

Check out Velonews on line Technical Q&A with Lennard Zinn from 1-6-2004

http://www.velonews.com/tech/report/articles/5407.0.html

As for me, I MUST wear custom orthotics everyday. If I don't I get sharp pain in my VMO and behind the knee (both legs). I do not however use them on the bike because they are way to large to fit into the shoe. After many bike fittings I found Robin at INTUIT BIKE FIT. She used a combo of superfeet, shims and bike fitting to get me in the correct position. I no longer have knee pain on any of my bikes. Everyone is diffrent so keep trying until you find someone who can help.

Maurizio,

I've got Bill Peterson's orthotics also (both running & cycling orthotics) - you're right - he does do magic.

P.S., another benefit of a cycling -specific orthotic is that you get a custom fit to an off-the-shelf shoe.