Any suggestions for cleat and pedal combination that offers good support platform?

torydiver

Been carrying slight injury(not cycling related) in ball area behind my big toe.

Aches a bit when cycling, becomes more noticeable after about 30km,

Currently use basic look Leo keo pedals and cleats,

Anyone know of any pedal / cleat combos that offer a good platform that might distribute the load on this area when pedalling.

Was thinking time or speedplay but haven't been able to see any reviews regarding my problem.

Cheers folks.

Brian?

Speedplay are brilliant. Loads of float, easy to clip in and out and Sean Kelly uses them.

quozl

What shoes do you use? Maybe a stiffer soled pair of shoes would help?

Pinch Flat

quozl wrote: »

What shoes do you use? Maybe a stiffer soled pair of shoes would help?

Would agree 100% here. I was using a cheap pair of specialized shoes - caused me issues from about the 100km mark on. No end of adjustment and tweaking could sort it out.

Managed to pick up a pair of decent carbon soled Diadoras a while back. The difference in comfort is chalk and cheese.

torydiver

quozl wrote: »

What shoes do you use? Maybe a stiffer soled pair of shoes would help?

Thought of that,
Currently using basic pair of northwave shoes,
Have pair of shimanos ordered and on way as we speak
mid range with good reviews regarding sole and comfort.
Hoping this will help.
Thanks for reply

doozerie

I wouldn't expect Speedplays to solve the problem. I've used Speedplays for several years now, in general I like them, but they are at the expensive end of the price range for pedals so unless they really do offer you something that actively want (e.g. wide range of float, double-sided entry), I'm not convinced they are worth the investment. There is a lot of hype around Speedplays, it can be hard to separate the marketing guff from the rest.

I second the suggestion of stiff-soled shoes, I reckon that is likely to be the biggest help. Look at the insoles too, if the arch support isn't adequate for your feet then you may find more pressure going through the ball of your foot which sounds like it would exacerbate your problem. I have high arches and I had to seek out after-market insoles with the highest arch support available to sort out pains I was experiencing across the base of my toes. I currently use Specialised insoles, which are available in 3 different heights of arch support, but am going to try mouldable insoles (from the brand Sole) next. I'd love to try mouldable shoes, such as Bont, but that's an expense too far for me at the moment - perhaps an option to bear in mind though if your problem persists.

torydiver

doozerie wrote: »

I wouldn't expect Speedplays to solve the problem. I've used Speedplays for several years now, in general I like them, but they are at the expensive end of the price range for pedals so unless they really do offer you something that actively want (e.g. wide range of float, double-sided entry), I'm not convinced they are worth the investment. There is a lot of hype around Speedplays, it can be hard to separate the marketing guff from the rest.

I second the suggestion of stiff-soled shoes, I reckon that is likely to be the biggest help. Look at the insoles too, if the arch support isn't adequate for your feet then you may find more pressure going through the ball of your foot which sounds like it would exacerbate your problem. I have high arches and I had to seek out after-market insoles with the highest arch support available to sort out pains I was experiencing across the base of my toes. I currently use Specialised insoles, which are available in 3 different heights of arch support, but am going to try mouldable insoles (from the brand Sole) next. I'd love to try mouldable shoes, such as Bont, but that's an expense too far for me at the moment - perhaps an option to bear in mind though if your problem persists.

Thanks for reply,
As just posted, some stiffer soled shoes on their way at present, hoping this will help.
Will also look at insoles too as you suggested.

torydiver

New shoes arrived,
Was able to nip out for 30km spin,
Phenomenal difference, all to the good,
Minimal ache and feel so much more solid in comparison to old shoes,
Almost a revelation,
Would never have thought that upgrading to better quality of shoe could make such a difference, and these are barely considered mid-range,
To all who replied here, especially advocating a stiffer sole, you were spot on,
Thanks for taking time to reply,
Much appreciated,

.ak

What shimanos did you get in the end torydiver?