revivingsusan

I'm a new rider. My Revive (semi-recumbent) has about 90 miles on it. One of my biggest problems has been foot pain which has been greatly improved by switched from cycling in gym shoes to using Specialized Taho mountain bike shoes (without clips). However, my feet still start to get sore when I try to increase my speed on flat ground or downhill by going into a higher gear...I guess because of the extra force on my feet then as I pedal? Also, my feet can still really hurt when going uphill. The only thing that seems to help there is gearing way, way down so that I am pedaling very fast but moving very slowly...just fast enough to stay upright on the hill. Mind you, these are not big hills!

Is the fact that the Revive has small wheels a factor in any of this? How about that it is a semi-recumbent? The pedals are quite forward of the seat. I am trying to ride about 7 miles every day (along a bike path near my house), but I don't know if I am going to damage my feet. Maybe they need a rest day in between? Thanks for all ideas.

Wogster

Your feet shouldn't really get sore, now one thing is, what part of the foot, top, bottom, near the toes, near the heel, up towards the ankle. Small wheels should actually help, because they effectively lower the gear. You might want to see a doctor, you could have a pre-existing foot problem, that riding has brought to your attention.. Also maybe try a different position on the pedal, normally you want the pedal near the ball of the foot (the front, behind the toes), but that position doesn't work for everyone.

v1k1ng1001

Yeah, it makes a big difference where you are feeling the soreness.

One common rookie mistake is to tighten your cycling shoes to tightly in a way that inhibits circulation. They don't need to be super tight, just tight enough to hold your heel in firmly.

The other possibility is that the tahoe isn't a very good cycling shoe. The tahoe is designed to be an on the bike/off the bike shoe that is easy to walk in. It may not be stiff enough.

Another idea might be to go with clipless pedals which will allow you to develop a consistent circular pedal stroke rather than a mashing stroke. that will take some of the heat off the bottom of your foot.

Nightcap

Do your feet hurt when you walk, or only when you cycle?