Pedal help needed

[GreenKLR]

OK so I have rode my bike on the trainer for a week and my foot is starting to hurt again. I have to abandon my bike shoes for sneakers and I probably have to go back to pedals and toe clip. Does everyone wear cycling shoes? I have duck feet and it is hard to find regular shoes let alone bike shoes. I am getting tires of spending money to experiment on stuff. Now I have a pair of $90 shoes, $45 dollar inserts and $55 pedals that will be gathering dust.
Any help would be appreciated.
Lee

[jaxgtr]

You might looking at different clipless pedals. I got a new pair of Shimano Ultegra road pedals with my new bike and had unbelievable pain in my foot. After 3 pairs of shoes I changed to the Keo Classics and my feet feel fine now. Something about those pedals and my feet just did not work.

I like you was tired of getting new stuff, but luckily I had another pair of pedals to experiment with before I bought my Keo's. Might see if anyone you knows has a different manufacture that you can try and see if you get the same results.

[jaxgtr]

By the way, what type of pedals are you using

[jaxgtr]

FYI... http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=380616

[Mazama]

I wear regular shoes when I ride on spiked platform pedals. I don't like the idea of being strapped down to something I may have to jump off of at any point.

I have encountered pain in my left foot, but I'm not sure if it is bike or work related at this point.

[sumguy]

Have read misaligned cleats can cause problems. Maybe an LBS can help you out with the clipless setup. FWIW I bought the Forte campus pedals and the toothy platform side felt as efficient as the clipless side but most of my riding is flat and sitting upright.

[markhr]

Try clipless pedals with no controlling and recentering, i.e., free float (NOT Look, Shamino and Shamino clones). That is, pedals with enough free float that your feet will find their own, natural, position.

My preference is Time pedals (Time, every time!) but Bebop and Speedplay are also good and have free float.

I use Time ATAC XS, Sidi SRS shoes (replaceable soles) and a Sidas Con'formable custom footbed (~USD60.00 or ~GBP60.00 so it's relatively cheap). As long as my saddle isn't too high and I don't mash high gears I have no knee problems, no hotspots on my feet and no numb toes.

Alternatively, try Powergrips with platform pedals which are the closest you'll get to clipless without clipless. Powergrips are a very good system and work with a variety of foot shapes and sizes.

http://www.timesport.fr/us/home.htm

http://www.bebop.com/

http://www.speedplay.com/

http://powergrips.mrpbike.com/pg_benefits.shtml

[GreenKLR]

Guys, Thanks for the info. Right now I am using shimano pedels and Nike mountain shoes. My cleats and pedels and seat and all where set up at a LBS . Once that happend I thought great but the pain returned. I like the looks of the power straps.. I know I will never ride the tour de france so something like that should be fine. If I get this foot issue worked out I really want to try and get t a 50 mile day this year. If not I see the bike getting sold. I am unable to just grin and bear the pain. It affected every aspect last year cause I walk a pretty good distance at work everyday.
Lee

[dirtbikedude]

Do not think I missed it but where is the pain in yer foot?
I am not a foot doc but knowing where and what type of pain you are having might help with getting more suggestions. I would also say, have the thread moved to the "General" forum as there is more traffic there. Perhaps Tom could do it or you could just start a new one.

Could be the shoes, type of sock, the pedals and yes, the pedals/cleats could even be set up poorly even though it was done at a shop, especially if you have problems with your feet in the first place. It could also be bike set up or perhaps your muscles/tendons are tight throughout tour legs and into your foot.

DBD:beer:

[GreenKLR]

Pain is in the Metatarsal area of the middle toes.
I dont get the numbness so much as just a real shap pain that stays after riding. WHen I quit last year it took about 3 weeks for the pain to subside.
Lee

[markhr]

Pain is in the Metatarsal area of the middle toes.
I dont get the numbness so much as just a real shap pain that stays after riding. WHen I quit last year it took about 3 weeks for the pain to subside.
Lee

It sounds like a problem I have.

If I get forefoot pain then it's from shoes that are way too narrow in the toe area. Try Sidi Mega shoes (the widest I've tried) and get your feet measured for length at the ball of the foot.

That is, while the overall length of my feet is a UK10/US11 the length at the ball of the foot is UK13/US14. I have "aboriginal feet" (think of a triangle - wide forefoot, short inflexible toes, narrow heel) which means that anything less than a UK13/US14 crushes my forefoot from the sides.

It doesn't hurt at first but fairly rapidly results in a burning/stabbing sensation beneath and just behind my middle toes. Until I found out what was causing it I thought I was just being "soft" and should grin and bear the, at times, excruciating pain.

Anyway, like I said, it sounds similar to your experience. Try your most comfortable all day trainers/sneakers and powergrips.

Graduate to cycling shoes only when you find some that even after 10min wear in the shop have absolutely no signs discomfort or unusual pressure. Do any sizing at the end of the day as well when your feet are largest.