Hey guys,

I am having a few problems with my feet on my bicycle and I think it is time for another fit. My riding style has changed since I began exactly one year ago and i think the fit needs to accommodate to me as I stand now. I am having problems using the whole sole of my feet. I tend to pedal only with the outer part of the foot instead of the whole thing. I believe this could be fixed with some inserts but I think going to a professional would help me pinpoint that and probably fix it as well.

I also suffer from fairly bad knees since my motorcycle accident last December. Since all these problems have arisen I think it is time to take the bike fit to another level. I am contemplating "The Sport Factory" (Roswell GA) advanced bike fit with analysis. It seems like a very comprehensive fit and it kind of gives me faith in solving some of my problems.

Link to the different fits:

https://sportfactoryproshop.com/advan...hanalysis.aspx


Any opinions, advice etc?

Thanks,
Luis

Hi,

Anyone who can pedal well without using the inside ball of the foot
is way beyond my comprehension. Outside is usually those that
pedal very badly on the instep of the foot, with wrong seat height.

I use toe clips in my road bike and plain pedals on my folder.

On the folder taking it easy I often pedal with the front of my feet.
(With a correct high saddle height it is a little more relaxed.)
i.e. stand up with with you heels of the ground, its easy. Same foot
position as running. Transfer that weight distribution to your pedals.
It is impossible to ride like that on the outside of your feet.
(It is mainly ball of foot and big toe, just like running.)
It is also good for spinning downhill.

Moving your feet forward on the pedals should reach a neutral position.
I generally ride both bikes in that position, but sometimes jam both
feet forward into the road bike toeclips for something different.

rgds, sreten.

So, are you saying I should move the clips on the shoes backward? When I try to use my whole foot the inner part of my knees tend to come in contact with the top tube with every stroke. My orthopedist and fit guru told me that my legs are shaped like "><" this so my feet when you look at them from the front look like this / \ (obviously not as steep angled.). That means that while I pedal there is an empty space in the shoe and all the force is made with the outer part of the foot. The fitter put in some inserts for support on the ball behind my big toe but it seems to still be off. Dang its hard being a freak.

Serious folks there with technique, technology and a system.
Just the opposite of the make it up as you go along school.

Recovering from a moto-wreck and trying to get back to cycling you could do much worse.
Don't "adjust" anything until your fit, ask them about any orthopedic specialist available on staff when scheduling.

If I was still in Decatur & riding w/ my fast friends in Blairsville I'd stop by to look around and chat w/ staff.

-Bandera

Hi,

I don't use clips, so on both bikes I can move my feet around.

I ride for fitness mainly and really don't care about racing.

You may be in fitment hell, chasing things that don't exist.

You might learn a lot riding a simple training bike with
plain pedals and toeclips, tight enough, but not tight.
Your feet will end up where they want to be, most of the time.
Use that knowledge to set up your SPD's or whatever.

FWIW I was implying your cleats if anything need to be
moved forward, not backwards, the shoe backwards.

rgds, sreten.

FWIW my left (main) foot is straighter than the right,
which skews out more, but I already knew that from
the comparative heel wear of my footwear.

Don't take advise from someone who does not ride clipless. If your not comfortable experimenting with wedges and saddle height get the fit. Fit is not a static thing it can change with time and abilities.

I'm in almost the same exact boat. Bad knee and neck from nearly fatal motorcycle accident. The neck is what i have the most problems w/, knee usually only hurts during weight training.
I've been debating getting a retul fit, but it's an hour away from my house.

Recovering from a moto-wreck is serious stuff.
You might consider that a proper professional fit evaluation on returning to cycling is much like working with your physical therapist. Both cost $, time and in this case travel but can aid in your recovery.

If you go that route make a trip out of it w/ some sight seeing and a nice lunch.
Don't forget to bring your x-rays, seriously.

-Bandera

Well I scheduled an appointment for a fit on saturday. I am excited to see how the new fit will be. I already went through one at my local LBS that they gave me with the purchase of my bike but I think this one might be even more advanced and the fact that it will fit my current riding style definitely intrigues me. I went for the Advanced without analysis. The one with analysis checks out your pedaling motion with some machines and analyzes pretty much everything. I dont think I am ready for that yet since I believe I have much room for improvement. He also said that if I wanted to do the analysis later I can always come back and pay the extra 100 bucks....

I am soooo freaking excited and the fact that my new wheels got in today is heart attack time!