blanqui

I've read everythread I could find on this subject and none are close to the misery I experience so I thought I 'd post to see if anyone has other suggestions.

At about the 2 hour mark on a ride both my feet turn into torture instruments. I get killer pain at the outside, base of my pinky toes--along the side of my foot right before my toe starts basically. Ten minutes after the pain starts I can barely turn the pedals anymore. My feet still hurt in the same spot 30 minutes after the ride. If I ride less than two hours, no problems at all. I have two pairs of shoes--Shimanos and Sidi--and I suffer in both. After reading a few of the threads I tried wedges. I have about a 2mm wedge on the cleat side closest to the bike. I also moved my cleats (campy) back. Perhaps the wedges make a little difference--putting the pain off for another five minutes. The LBS recommends custom footbeds ($100) but I have a hard time believing they are going to make any difference. Should I add another mm of wedge? Try a cheaper non-custom insert before dropping a c-note? Go to a podiatrist about a possible foot transplant?

feltdude

Did you try a larger shoe size?

blanqui

The sidis are 44s and the shimanos I just bought are 45s, they definetly are roomier than the sidis but do not spare me the pain. I'm wondering if 45.5s would make a difference...I am willing to pay $ to fix this problem but I don't know where to throw the money--shoes, wedges, footbeds.

woodcycl

I'd definitely try the options beginning with the least $$ and up ... until you find a good balance between your costs and increased relief.

I had similar pain ... just different part of my feet. I tried ALL KINDS OF OPTIONS ... including $50 inserts among many other options to no avail. For me, I ended up giving up my $170 Shimano R151 shoes and went with Specialized Carbon Pro shoes ... pain has never occurred again. Go figure!

However, you have 2 different brands of shoes, so the answer to your relief may not be that simple.

Yes to all of the above questions in the quote ... try more wedge, different inserts, and also check out a good doc! In my case, the $140 plus tax I paid for my Shimano shoes are WASTED now ... cause I cann't sell them for more than $25 on eBay for SOME reason. So, my new $200 shoes fit and cause NO pain ... thank goodness!

I understand your pain ... literally. I was near tears it was so excruciating at times.

shnapper

I would have to vote for the podiatrist route. If you have good insurance a quick visit to a foot expert may save you trouble and money down the road.

I have a fairly wide foot and havn't experienced any pain like that with these narrow cycling shoes.

Well anyhoo let us know what the doc says if you go that route...........

blanqui

I've got an appointment with a podiatrist tomorrow. I'll let you know what he says. I think I'm bringing in my shoes and pedals.

TehArrow

i had a pain on the opposite side of my arch which is where i think you are experiencing it. something about no arch support. anyways i put in the specialized bg footbeds and my feet are in heaven now

steve_wmn

Try more wedges. Also try varying your pedaling technique, especially if you mostly mash your feet in a high gear. When my feet get sore using an exaggerated upstroke pull for a while will often help get some circulation back into the balls of my feet and relieve the pain.

Mr_Super_Socks

For a long time I had a similar problem and it was related to the fact that my feet overpronate (which I know from running). I bought a $5 set of Dr. Scholl's inserts -- the kind that look like little triangles and are placed directly beneath the balls of your feet (maybe 5mm back from the first metatarsal on your second toe). this keeps the foot somewhat "cupped" and prevents the pronation from forcing the little toe out into the side of the shoe.

I am not a doctor and I may have slightly misdescribed something, but this was my best try -- if you are like me, this may work.

bac

Good call. However, if you don't get satisfaction from him, please consider going to a sports medicine doctor. It's been my experience that non-sports specific docs just don't understand, or have enough experience with these sporting injuries/issues.

Good luck, and let the group know what you find out!

PhatRoadie

Did you check if your cleats were aligned with your natural foot position?

-=solewheelin

maybe you have very wide feet

Allerge99

I had the same problem a couple of years ago and went to Jon Cobb and he put the maximum number of wedges (1/16") under my right foot and about half the amount under my left. He also recommended some regular inserts which you can buy at the drug store for a few bucks. Ever since the wedges and insoles I have never had the problem again with the outer part of my foot burning. I have a very flat and narrow foot and the option of getting some smaller size shoes may help, but i tried the wedges and insoles and they still work great a couple of years later.

feltdude

I'd see if you could borrow a buddy's 45.5 or 46's

blanqui

Update: the podiatrist told me I have tailor's bunions! Bunions! I'm 35 and have bunions...I've officially arrived at middle age (note to people in their 20s: treat yourself don't cheat yourself, use arch supports in all your shoes!). The DPM recommended a few things to try: boost up the arch support in the cycling shoes and get some wide shoes. So I'm off to pull the trigger on some Sidi Mega's from the same shop I bought the now useless Shimano's two weeks ago. Do you think this store let me test ride the shoes? I don't want to drop $200 on useless shoes. If I can do a metric century with no pain then fine. All I want is one ride in the shoes. Hell, I'm willing to buy the shoes as long as I can return them after one ride for a full refund if my feet still hurt.

woodcycl

Wow ... that might be tough ... finding a shop to let you use shoes for a lengthy ride. I hope you can though. I sure wish I could've found one a few months ago.

Glad to hear, though, that the problem is nailed down ... and now you know what needs to be done. To me that is the most frustrating thing ... when there is a problem, but the source cannot be discovered.

Good luck!

blanqui

Nashbar has the mega on sale and they told me I can return them "without any hassle" after one ride. I'm going to the LBS first but they better cop-on.