General Cycling Discussion - Foot Pain!

I've gotten past my knee pain from last year, but now I'm getting intense foot pain. I get it whether I bike in regular shoes, boots or velcro cheapos. I'm reluctant to buy fancy bike shoes, and I use regular old-fashioned pedals. But if these will specifically help to eliminate foot pain, I'm willing to try. Any suggestions?

Where exactly does it hurt?

I've gotten past my knee pain from last year, but now I'm getting intense foot pain. I get it whether I bike in regular shoes, boots or velcro cheapos. I'm reluctant to buy fancy bike shoes, and I use regular old-fashioned pedals. But if these will specifically help to eliminate foot pain, I'm willing to try. Any suggestions?
Cosmoline, see a doc, buddy. Might be something as simple as Plantar Fasciitis.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/plantar-fasciitis/DS00508

If not, a doctor can diagnose it and probably help you. :)

I had numbness in the balls of my feet. I'm a large guy (read as morbidly obese), so some of it may be related to my size. However, I did pick up a pair of Addidas bike shoes at the lbs, and they've helped with the pain of numbness some. It's still there a bit, but it's better. I hope that as I get more fit, the pain will lessesn.

I've gotten past my knee pain from last year, but now I'm getting intense foot pain. I get it whether I bike in regular shoes, boots or velcro cheapos. I'm reluctant to buy fancy bike shoes, and I use regular old-fashioned pedals. But if these will specifically help to eliminate foot pain, I'm willing to try. Any suggestions?

Spend the money and get some cycling shoes. Regular shoes just don't have the support that you need. Even if you still want to use "old-fashioned pedals".

time to buy some fancy shoes and pedals

Had foot pain too when I started riding again. My walking shoes were killing me on the bike. Hiking boots worked but were so heavy/clunky. Found a pair of crosstrainer shoes with ventilation on the tops which work perfectly for regular pedals. When viewed next to my walking shoes, the soles are double to triple the thickness and much more rigid in feel. Haven't had any pain since I switched.

You don't need fancy pedals and decent cycling shoes don't have to be expensive. My friend rides in platforms and was getting foot pain(and numbness) as well. I got her a pair of MTB cycling shoes for under $40 on sale at Nashbar and the pain is gone. I used to have foot pain as well, I did opt for clipless pedals, but you don't need to. I have both road shoes and MTB shoes.

Assuming you don't have an injury the cycling shoes alone will fix it and they can be quite inexpensive. Just keep an eye out for sales at Nashbar or Performance. Because you will only use them for riding they will last for many, many, years. My MTB shoes in particular look as new as they were out of the box.

If you really want to go cheap...check out the returned items. Here is a mountain shoe for $26.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=16878&storetype=2&estoreid=&pagename=Show%20All%20Products%20%2D%20Returns

+1 for cycling shoes. The stiffer sole of cycling shoes will help distribute the pressure more evenly across your foot. You can find cycling shoes intended to be used with platform pedals, so you don't necessarily need to go clipless. (Clipless petals have a cleat/engagement mechanism, as apposed to the type that use medal toe clips and straps.)

Whatever you get, make sure it fits properly and has adequate support/cushioning. You can go and drop a bundle on high-end shoes that don’t fit. Then you will just have expensive shoes that hurt your feet J

I have a high-end pair of shoes and have recently started getting foot pain. The insoles are broken down, i.e. not enough support/cushioning. I am currently shopping for new insoles that will alleviate my pain.

What you are looking for in a cycling shoe - clipless or platform, is a REALLY stiff sole. The stiffer the better - they are not meant to walk in, but they should releive your foot pain.

Cosmoline, see a doc, buddy. Might be something as simple as Plantar Fasciitis.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/plantar-fasciitis/DS00508

If not, a doctor can diagnose it and probably help you. :)

^ +1

Plantar Fasciitis is fairly easy to sort out with specific excercises, but it left untreated can become chronic and extremely painful. See a doc at least if only to rule this out.