Touring - Foot comfort on long rides (avoiding hot spots)

Just wondering what everyone is using in the way of pedals and shoes on long rides/tours to avoid hot spots on the balls of your feet? I currently use Speedplays with some stiff soled road shoes and have tried everything I can think of to get rid of the hot spots but with no success.

I'm thinking of trying my MTB shoes with SPDs next. Good idea?

Which pedal system(s) (Look, Time, SPD, SPD-R, SPD-L) allow for the greatest adjustability of cleat placement up/back -- I've heard/read that placing the cleats further back can help alleviate hot spots in some cases?

Any other tips or tricks for foot comfort?

I use Speedplay Frog pedals with very stiff-soled mountain bike shoes (Sidi Dominator). I haven't had any problem with hotspots. I know the pedal and cleat systems for the Speedplay road pedals and the Speedplay frogs is different, so it might be worth checking into. I've used Frog pedals for a long time, and just switched to Sidi shoes before my 2002 xc trip (http://denise2002xc.crazyguyonabike.com). There is some forward to back cleat placement options, but probably not a great deal.

I use Wellgo spd-compatible pedals and a pair of Shimano shoes. They work fine.

Just wondering what everyone is using in the way of pedals and shoes on long rides/tours to avoid hot spots on the balls of your feet? I currently use Speedplays with some stiff soled road shoes and have tried everything I can think of to get rid of the hot spots but with no success.

I'm thinking of trying my MTB shoes with SPDs next. Good idea?

Which pedal system(s) (Look, Time, SPD, SPD-R, SPD-L) allow for the greatest adjustability of cleat placement up/back -- I've heard/read that placing the cleats further back can help alleviate hot spots in some cases?

Any other tips or tricks for foot comfort?

I use MX 300 Lake MTB shoes with SPD pedals and don't seem to have any problems

I use Wellgo spd-compatible pedals and a pair of Shimano shoes. They work fine.

Same here. I did have some problems when I first changed to clipless pedals, but some minor adjustments in saddle position and height took care of that.

--J

Just wondering what everyone is using in the way of pedals and shoes on long rides/tours to avoid hot spots on the balls of your feet? I currently use Speedplays with some stiff soled road shoes and have tried everything I can think of to get rid of the hot spots but with no success.

I'm thinking of trying my MTB shoes with SPDs next. Good idea?

Which pedal system(s) (Look, Time, SPD, SPD-R, SPD-L) allow for the greatest adjustability of cleat placement up/back -- I've heard/read that placing the cleats further back can help alleviate hot spots in some cases?

Any other tips or tricks for foot comfort?

My hot spots started when I was riding my road bike with MTB shoes and ATAC pedals. After about a year of riding this way, my hot spots began to show up. My bike pro told me to go to road shoes and look or spd pedals (larger platform compared to the ATACS). He also recommended that carbon soles were the best. Since then I have switched but the recovery has been slow. My pediatrist agreed with my pro, but also recommended moving my cleats back which I avoided since this would take me out of the nuetral position, however, I will be moving my cleats back this week and get refitted on my bike because I am tired of the hot spots. My pediatrist said it will take up to six months before the symptoms will go away.

I use speedplay with Sidi genius 5 mega, and am going to try "Specialized Footbed" insert, the Spenco stuff didn't work. Will let you know when and how.

Wow ... this is a blast from the past! Original post: March 31, 2004.

Incidentally, to prevent hot spots, move your cleats back a teensy-tiny bit.

Wow ... this is a blast from the past! Original post: March 31, 2004.

Incidentally, to prevent hot spots, move your cleats back a teensy-tiny bit.

Yeah, I always get a kick out of when someone replies to a 3 or 4 year old post as if it was asked 5 minutes ago.

...Any other tips or tricks for foot comfort?


Carefully remove some of the material or foam (from the inserts, midsoles or insoles), underneath the hot spots, to redistribute the pressures.

Carefully remove some of the material or foam (from the inserts, midsoles or insoles), underneath the hot spots, to redistribute the pressures. No offense, but that advice will not help. You obviously haven't suffered from hotspots, which are caused by repetitive pressure on the ball of the foot. You need some padding under those areas, and you need proper support of the metatarsals, best achieved through proper cycling-specific insoles. The ones from Specialized helped me, custom would be the next step. Moving the cleats back also helps (I have mine as far back as they will go) although you have to be careful about possible toe-strike on some bikes/frames.

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If I ever wear out my current pedals I'll try some of these with some nice comfy walking shoes. MKS grip kings

http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/pedals_and_so_on#product=none

I am using specialized inserts in my sidi genius 5 shoes and am experimenting with the supplied shims.

Today was the first time and it seemed more comfortable. A short spin to local bike shop & back 11.5 miles, not a good test but an attempt May ride 35-50 m tomorrow.

I use toe clips and light hiking shoes with mesh sides for breathability.
I can always move my foot forward and sideways to avoid "hotspots".
I switch out to Tevas and flip the pedals over to let my feet have even more air.
(Of course, I "lose" some RPMs, but I don't count, either.)
In 100,000 miles of touring I have had neither hotspots nor foot rash.

Pain is optional.

Yeah, I always get a kick out of when someone replies to a 3 or 4 year old post as if it was asked 5 minutes ago.
How about if it`s only a year and a half?

I don`t get "hot spots", but I`ve gotten terrible throbbing pain on the balls of my feet after too many hours pedaling over the relatively tiny surface of my clip and cleat system. As an experiment, I went out about a month ago for four days/300 miles and just used street shoes and BMX pedals- not even toe clips. It was great!