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#1
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Toe injury - ouch!
Hi
I've recently got the cycling bug again (after 20 yr. - oops) and have been going slightly mad at weekends and evenings doing as many miles as I can. The upshot is I now have a badly swollen big toe, the middle joint is v. painful and I can just about walk with a pronounced limp. I've been using toe-clips and wearing an old pair of squash shoes which, I now realise, give me very little support. Do you think the shoes are the problem? Would a proper cycling shoe be the cure? I don't know about cleats, are they best? Any (helpful) advice would be much appreciated as, as yet, I don't have any cycling buddies to ask. -- Julian |
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#2
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Toe injury - ouch!
"Julian" wrote in message ... I've recently got the cycling bug again (after 20 yr. - oops) and have been going slightly mad at weekends and evenings doing as many miles as I can. The upshot is I now have a badly swollen big toe, the middle joint is v. painful and I can just about walk with a pronounced limp. I've been using toe-clips and wearing an old pair of squash shoes which, I now realise, give me very little support. Do you think the shoes are the problem? Would a proper cycling shoe be the cure? I don't know about cleats, are they best? Properly fitting cycling shoes and Shimano SPD 1 cleats should alleviate the problem as your foot will be held securely by the shoe with power transmitted through the ball of the foot. 1 others have their own favourites but Shimanos are competitively priced and do the job admirably IMO. I use these, there is a cheaper (515) version I've no experience of them but imagine they would be ok. http://www.chainreaI use thesectioncycles.com/viewproduct.asp?category=Pedals+Clipless&ModelID=8 46 Pete |
#3
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Toe injury - ouch!
"Julian" wrote in message ... Hi I've recently got the cycling bug again (after 20 yr. - oops) and have been going slightly mad at weekends and evenings doing as many miles as I can. The upshot is I now have a badly swollen big toe, the middle joint is v. painful and I can just about walk with a pronounced limp. I've been using toe-clips and wearing an old pair of squash shoes which, I now realise, give me very little support. Do you think the shoes are the problem? Would a proper cycling shoe be the cure? I don't know about cleats, are they best? Any (helpful) advice would be much appreciated as, as yet, I don't have any cycling buddies to ask. My own experience is that squash shoes have to be pretty snug fitting and are generally very soft. Cycling shoes have to fit well -- but (unless you are racing) don't need to be too tight (though your feet should not move around there should be room top wiggle toes). I road using a pair of fairly stiff tennis shoes for years before I went for clipless pedals and 'proper' shoes. They were fine. T |
#4
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Toe injury - ouch!
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#5
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Toe injury - ouch!
Julian wrote:
I've recently got the cycling bug again (after 20 yr. - oops) and have been going slightly mad at weekends and evenings doing as many miles as I can. The upshot is I now have a badly swollen big toe, the middle joint is v. painful and I can just about walk with a pronounced limp. I've been using toe-clips and wearing an old pair of squash shoes which, I now realise, give me very little support. Do you think the shoes are the problem? Yes - at least they'll be making it worse (they may be some other cause as well). I would take a break from cycling altogether until the swelling and pain reduces and seek medical advice if bad. But if you do have to cycle in the meantime (eg. to avoid walking!) then ride very gently on some bog-standard flat rubber pedals with no clips. Would a proper cycling shoe be the cure? Would help a lot, even just stiffer or different ordinary shoes will with the toe clips. If problem (or any additional problem) is ABOVE the toes, then different-shape toe clips may help. Plastic ones are available (in various shapes) as well as metal - some with a relatively soft & flexible "net" instead of two hard prongs. I don't know about cleats, are they best? They're great. Try them if you can. You need special shoes - which any good bike shop will have (they're not all expensive). Choice of system comes down to personal preference and budget, and whether you need to walk in them much or not. I like Look pedals and find them more efficient, secure and comfortable than SPD (but poor for walking, though not impossible), but even SPD is better than toe clips in most ways. There are many other systems as well. ~PB |
#6
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Toe injury - ouch!
"Peter B" wrote in message ... I use these, there is a cheaper (515) version I've no experience of them but imagine they would be ok. http://www.chainreaI use thesectioncycles.com/viewproduct.asp?category=Pedals+Clipless&ModelID=8 46 Which is a load of mumbo-jumbo whereas hopefully this isn't: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/v...dals+Clipless& ModelID=846 Pete |
#7
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Toe injury - ouch!
"Just zis Guy, you know?" wrote in message ... in article , Peter B at wrote on 19/7/2003 1:46 pm: others have their own favourites but Shimanos are competitively priced and do the job admirably IMO. If you already have foot problems it is probably worth investigating Time, Look and Speedplay as these are all associated with lower levels of foot hotspots and numbness. I find Look much more comfortable long term than SPD. As I said we all have our favourites but what works for one may not be best for another. I always used spds on my mtbs and winter bikes but Looks (8+ years) on my Best Shiney Bike because that's how it came plus they Looked better. However, a couple of years back I embarked on my first ride on Best Shiney Bike after its' winter layup and developed a swollen knee. Due to this I fitted spds to my Best Shiney Bike to test the effect and I've had no recurrance. Along with this was the benefit of not falling on my arse when walking on polished surfaces with the Looks plus being able to walk normally. (I was going to say without looking a prat but the Lycra and silly polystyrene beanie ensure I still do). I'm sure someone will be able to relate a story opposite to this. Pete |
#8
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Toe injury - ouch!
"Just zis Guy, you know?" wrote in message ... Oh, and if Looks gave you knee issues, it may well have been the cleat angle. I find Looks much more comfortable than SPDs, but a fiddle to adjust. Quite possible but because the knee problem never recurred after fitting the spds I didn't feel inclined to experiment, if it's working leave it alone :-) When I got a new Shiney Best Bike I considered fitting Looks as they Look better but remembered the knee and left well alone. What I did do was fit single sided road spds, A515s. These suit the appearance of the bike better but are a buggar to engage, far harder than the Looks ever were. Fortunately this is a minor issue as once under way I don't stop a lot but would still prefer the convenience of double-sided and when/if the A515s need replacing that's the way I'll go. And of course you fall over if you try to walk - but if I wanted to walk I wouldn't have brought the bike :-) Yebbut sooner or later you have to get off it. Pete |
#9
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Toe injury - ouch!
Peter B wrote:
And of course you fall over if you try to walk - but if I wanted to walk I wouldn't have brought the bike :-) Yebbut sooner or later you have to get off it. I can ride to my front door, provided the MDG is not parked across the front path :-) Guy |
#10
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Toe injury - ouch!
Hi
I've recently got the cycling bug again (after 20 yr. - oops) and have been going slightly mad at weekends and evenings doing as many miles as I can. The upshot is I now have a badly swollen big toe, the middle joint is v. painful and I can just about walk with a pronounced limp. I've been using toe-clips and wearing an old pair of squash shoes which, I now realise, give me very little support. Do you think the shoes are the problem? Would a proper cycling shoe be the cure? I don't know about cleats, are they best? Any (helpful) advice would be much appreciated as, as yet, I don't have any cycling buddies to ask. -- Julian Hi Julian, Someone else prescribed Shimano type (SPD) pedals, cleats & shoes. Dunno if this will help you, but if you're after SPDs then sjscycles.com have some by "wellgo" in the offers section of their web site, fifteen quid a pair. I mention it 'cuz I've ordered a pair myself, need new ones and want to try the cheapies to see if they're comparable to the pricier ones I had... By the way stiff-soled shoes are best for cycling in my opinion - otherwise the tendons along the base of the foot take too much "jip" and start to feel sore. Cheers, AndyK |
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