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SPD Agony!
Two days into my trail and I discover the limit is coming from an
unexpected place - unbelievably painful feet. I'm using Specialized BG Comp mountain biking shoes in the appropriate size. When I put them on in the morning, they are already not comfortable shoes, stiff and grating over the toes, but as the day wears on they turn into Chinese torture. This is on a recumbent tadpole trike where the use of SPDs is required as a safety measure (to prevent running over one's own leg, which I nearly did the other day). I thought this would be the ultimate comfort ride as there is none of the pain in the crotch or wrists that used to terminate previous rides on two wheels. But that pain was trifling in comparison to this foot agony. The balls of the feet burn like fire and the toes go completely numb. Every pedal stroke is so excrucuating that I have to stop every 3 km or so just to try and get circulation going again. I cannot walk in them at all - very slippery and stiff, despite the fact that these are supposed to be used on trail where one is often off the bike. I tried putting a wad of kleenex between the lining of the shoe and the SPD clip. That improved matters slightly, but I still cannot go more than about 10km without the most agonizing pain. And the pain lasts for about half an hour even after I have taken the shoes off. Also, clipping and unclipping is a chore. I thought it would get easier. But it can take me several minutes to clip and unclipping can be even longer. The fact of having to press down into the core of the pain to twist the feet off the pedals is part of it. Is this normal? Is it something "you just get used to"? I don't want to take risks with my feet as I am borderline diabetic and this looks like the fast route to amputation. Your experiences? Thanks. EFR In deepest Provence |
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#2
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SPD Agony!
On May 6, 12:37*pm, Artemisia wrote:
Two days into my trail and I discover the limit is coming from an unexpected place - unbelievably painful feet. I'm using Specialized BG Comp mountain biking shoes in the appropriate size. When I put them on in the morning, they are already not comfortable shoes, stiff and grating over the toes, but as the day wears on they turn into Chinese torture. This is on a recumbent tadpole trike where the use of SPDs is required as a safety measure (to prevent running over one's own leg, which I nearly did the other day). I thought this would be the ultimate comfort ride as there is none of the pain in the crotch or wrists that used to terminate previous rides on two wheels. But that pain was trifling in comparison to this foot agony. The balls of the feet burn like fire and the toes go completely numb. Every pedal stroke is so excrucuating that I have to stop every 3 km or so just to try and get circulation going again. I cannot walk in them at all - very slippery and stiff, despite the fact that these are supposed to be used on trail where one is often off the bike. I tried putting a wad of kleenex between the lining of the shoe and the SPD clip. That improved matters slightly, but I still cannot go more than about 10km without the most agonizing pain. And the pain lasts for about half an hour even after I have taken the shoes off. Also, clipping and unclipping is a chore. I thought it would get easier. But it can take me several minutes to clip and unclipping can be even longer. The fact of having to press down into the core of the pain to twist the feet off the pedals is part of it. Is this normal? Is it something "you just get used to"? I don't want to take risks with my feet as I am borderline diabetic and this looks like the fast route to amputation. Your experiences? Thanks. EFR In deepest Provence sorry to hear of your troubles; my experience suggests to me soles of your shoes are not stiff enough- you are going to have to invest in better shoes |
#3
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SPD Agony!
"Artemisia" wrote in message
... Two days into my trail and I discover the limit is coming from an unexpected place - unbelievably painful feet. I'm using Specialized BG Comp mountain biking shoes in the appropriate size. Are you sure you have the cleats in the best position? I find that I have to shove them pretty far forward otherwise I feel like they're under my arches. Jim J |
#4
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SPD Agony!
Artemisia writtificated
Is this normal? Is it something "you just get used to"? Sounds like the shoes are too small. I would divert to the nearest bike shop that stocks shoes and buy another pair. Many people have to go a size up to get a shoe that fits, so it is essential you try them on before buying. When wearing the shoes they should not be tight and the toes should not touch the front of the shoe. I always get shoes where I can wiggle my toes a little. For touring a shoe with a more flexible sole is desirable - this makes it easier to walk in. |
#5
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SPD Agony!
Raaman writtificated
sorry to hear of your troubles; my experience suggests to me soles of your shoes are not stiff enough This is unlikely in this case as her shoes[1] are about as stiff (and as good) as mountain bike shoes get. Fiddling with the cleat position on the off-chance that'll help, and loosening the velcro in case the shoe is too small is prolly the best thing to do until replacements can be bought. Alternatively it is perfectly possible to cycle with normal shoes on, but this may lead to an Accident. [1] www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=26123 |
#6
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SPD Agony!
On 6 mai, 18:50, "Jim" wrote:
"Artemisia" wrote in message ... Two days into my trail and I discover the limit is coming from an unexpected place - unbelievably painful feet. I'm using Specialized BG Comp mountain biking shoes in the appropriate size. Are you sure you have the cleats in the best position? I find that I have to shove them pretty far forward otherwise I feel like they're under my arches. * Jim J They feel too far forward, practically just under my toes. When I pedal unclipped (much more comfortable but dangerous) I go much farther back on the foot. But how can I move them? They are screwed in and the holes are only in one place. I never had this problem on my upright bikes and unclipped. I think it has to do with being able to move the foot about and reposition it when it starts hurting. Irony is, Specialized BG makes a big thing about how ergonomical and comfortable they are! EFR Isle sur Sorgue |
#7
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SPD Agony!
On Tue, 06 May 2008 10:05:54 -0700, Artemisia wrote:
They feel too far forward, practically just under my toes. When I pedal unclipped (much more comfortable but dangerous) I go much farther back on the foot. But how can I move them? They are screwed in and the holes are only in one place. Mine only have two screw holes, but they screw into a plate which can slide back and forth (slotted holes in the sole of the shoe itself). Under your toes sounds too far forward - under the balls of your feet would be better. If you're bending your foot too much and putting a lot of force through your foot then it will hurt quite a lot (like running around on your tip toes all the time). I never had this problem on my upright bikes and unclipped. I think it has to do with being able to move the foot about and reposition it when it starts hurting. I often get a lot of numbness in my feet when riding (only notice when I stop and take shoes off), and my feet also go cold. I think it's just because the laces are tight: LBS told me that feet swell a bit when being used so if my laces are tight when I set off then they'll be too tight after a few miles! Also, are your innersoles worn? I replaced mine with cheap ones when I washed the shoes. They were ok for a while but now I can feel the cleat through the shoe as they've worn a bit. The original insoles were really rigid but the new ones were really soft. Not hurting on an upright bike though is puzzling me though! peter |
#8
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SPD Agony!
Artemisia wrote: Two days into my trail and I discover the limit is coming from an unexpected place - unbelievably painful feet. It might be worth trying some padded inserts, esp. if tissues help. Do you have funny shaped feet? If your shoes claim to be ergonomic, then they might fit 90% of people really well, and be terrible for the other 10%. As for moving the cleats, they are often attached to a plate in the shoe, which can slide forwards and backwards. Martin. |
#9
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SPD Agony!
In article , Artemisia wrote:
They feel too far forward, practically just under my toes. When I pedal unclipped (much more comfortable but dangerous) I go much farther back on the foot. But how can I move them? They are screwed in and the holes are only in one place. Most SPD shoes have two pairs of holes in a plate which can be moved forward and back at least a little bit. Irony is, Specialized BG makes a big thing about how ergonomical and comfortable they are! No shoe shape can be really comfortable for everyone - feet are different, they aren't all just the same but scaled up and down a bit in size. |
#10
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SPD Agony!
"Mark T" pleasegivegenerously@warmail*turn_up_the_heat_to_ reply*.com.invalid wrote in message ... Artemisia writtificated Is this normal? Is it something "you just get used to"? Sounds like the shoes are too small. I would divert to the nearest bike shop that stocks shoes and buy another pair. I agree with the diagnosis. I suffered from severe burning sensations in the balls of my feet and initially blamed the lack of padding in my socks. I bought some padded sports socks and they made the problems worse. I stumbled across the counter intuitive loosening of the shoe laces solution by chance. Many people have to go a size up to get a shoe that fits, so it is essential you try them on before buying. When wearing the shoes they should not be tight and the toes should not touch the front of the shoe. I always get shoes where I can wiggle my toes a little. For touring a shoe with a more flexible sole is desirable - this makes it easier to walk in. It's not that important if a spare pair of shoes are carried too. |
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