SHIM_105

I have size 48 Shimano R106 shoes with cleats for Look A5.1 pedals. I've been switching up cleat position constantly from front to back, and side to side yet at the 50km mark I'm in pretty much debilitating pain. I experience immense pain across the ball of the foot, particularly right under the joint of the big toe metatarsal on both feet. It's a burning/throbbing sensation and it just gets worse as I go along. I've tried riding a 100km but I end up limping through it. There is just no power to the pedals beyond 50 or 60 km's. I have very wide feet to the point bunions have formed on both of them and that's where I'm feeling the pain. Is this something fitted inserts would solve? It's really taking the enjoyment out of cycling for me.

ls01

sounds like hot foot. sometimes it helps to loosen up the shoe. sometimes insoles help.
Your feet will swell from exertion, making the shoe to tight try loosening the front of the shoe if you have the strap type shoe. Or you can try some kind of an insole, but these tend to take up more room in the shoe.
another thing, if you are wearing cotton socks they tend to swell upo with sweat and cause overly tight shoe problems to. so if you are, stop that.

halfspeed

Making that metatarsal happy is the key to foot comfort. Custom insoles from a good fitter can go a long way towards fixing that. So can the right pair of shoes. For me, it's Sidas Conformable insoles with Lake shoes. Good luck, it's not an easy problem to solve.

halfspeed

And when I say "a good fitter", I don't mean a bike salesman who went to a three day weekend training seminar for some fit system. Look for someone who has done it for a while and has worked with multiple systems and has some sort of formal education in biomechanics. If they're advertising solely as a Brand X certified fitter, chances are good that you won't get much more than a rough sizing.

Hapsmo911

I had the same problem and E-Soles solved it for me.

ahsposo 

Thanks for the link.

slowride454

I just got re-fit last week and WOW what a difference. He changed eveything from my previous fit. Shimmed my cleat, moved cleats, moved my pedals out, lots of seat adjustments. then he did my stem/bars. The videos of my pedal stoke before and after were amazing. No more foot pain like the OP is having.

Hapsmo911

Here ya go https://www.google.com/

Jseis 

Second day of the STP (205 miles in two days for me) I got horrible hot foot 40 miles out from Portland. I had to stop ~every 15 miles, take shoes and socks off, cool off feet for 10 minutes and really loosened straps on my Time Criterium shoes w/carbon soles. The inner sole is a bit thin and I'm going to a slightly thicker gel pad. Size 48 as well. I finished with no issues.

SHIM_105

Thanks for all the advice. I'll have to do something. Probably see what's available in my area for shoe fitting then perhaps those inserts.

libero

couple more ideas on foot pain, since I'm on the mend.

Had some pain in the metatarsal area, not as bad as yours but on the outside of the ball of foot area (ball of the little toes).

After several months of various things including less riding, which didn't really have a great effect, I stumbled onto some good tips and am well along toward full recovery. My condition may be called "spread foot" if you want to search for more info. Not sure though.

But the tips to solving it have been to build stronger feet. Actually doing ballerina things is helping. Toe pointers - point toes forward in direction of legs and hold the position for a while. Toe raises: Raise yourself on your toes, one or both feet, do repetitions. Haven't tried running in the sand yet but that was recommended.

And one of the keys for me was metatarsal support in my cycling shoes. Made obvious differences as I no longer have pains after medium or longer rides (more than 40km). I bought insoles from Sidas which claim to be conformable - and I left them in the original position (highest metatarsal arch). Feels a bit weird at first but over the duration of the ride and later, it's definitely the right way to go.

Good luck

unterhausen

getting insoles with a metatarsal bump seems to have fixed most of my hot foot problems. Still have the problem to some extent, but it's manageable by moving my toes around occasionally.

Nick Bain

AngrySaki

I have wide feet and I tried a few different insoles, and they helped a bit.
What solved the problem for me was just taking the insoles out. (worked for my road and mountain shoes). The sole of the shoe felt a bit hard at first, but I got used to it really fast.

Will G

Try curling your toes hard when you tighten up the strap, usually the middle strap, over the arch of your foot. When you relax your foot, you will have more space.