I get a bit of an ache down the outside of my right foot when pedalling for long periods.
When I sit with my legs dangling off a table, it does seem as though my foot tilts outwards slightly, so guessing some wedges of some sort might help?
Has anyone got any recommendations for the wedges? Or would some insoles with higher arches do a similar job?
Are there any bike fitters out there who would specifically look at cleat position for me?
You could get wedges, or you could fix the problem which will probably be a weakness/tightness or other such issue with your peroneal muscles in that leg.
i get that from my new Specialised shoes, loosened them up and all is fine now.. Have had it in the past with other shoes as well..
Has anyone got any recommendations for the wedges?
Don't do this and mess up your ankles etc .. but I had the same issue in my right foot with some shoes, just that my foot doesn't want to sit totally flat. So I cut a fairly thick insole in half roughly down the middle, popped the old insole in over the top and all's been well since. I guess a cleat shim / washer would do the same and a visit to a professional would be a better idea : )
I had the same in both feet when I started road riding but it went away eventually. You can get orthotic wedges from Specialized; you'll find lots for sale on Ebay as they come with BG insoles.
Your body does get used to the new position.
Try stretching your calves. Stand on the pedals (level) and drop your ankles. My left calf is tighter than my right and I find stretching it reduces the pain across the top of my foot.
How do I fix the problem wanmankylung?
I pronate when walking too, but thats just the way it is. Dangling my feet off the table, the right foot points slightly out and is tilted outwards. That's comfortable.
So what/how would you straighten it up?
I've got flat feet and the "splay" often used to push the outer edge onto the very edge of the shoe
Arch support (middle and forefoot) helped mine
You'll probably find it's nothing to do with you feet !
mine turned out to be weakness and improper firing of the gluts
on the affected side .... had to have a fit session to find it though
and had been all around the insoles/wedges/cleat shims route.
nothing had worked ....
money well spent in the end.
I would get a bit of Theraband loop it round my foot and point my foot in different directions. Something like:
Make sure your shoes aren't too narrow. I had a similar problem with my left foot this summer and it was cured once I replaced my running shoes with a slightly wider model.
Note, I say running because I runs and cycle in equal measure and it was the running shoes that appear to have caused it.
+1 for shoes too tight. I get this if i put a couple of clicks too much on my shoes. Releasing them a bit seems to solve the problem fairly quickly. Definitely try this first before buying wedges etc..
wanmankylung +1
My guess (not medical person in any way) is that it's an imbalance in muscles in glutes / lower back.
I'm midway through the exercises in [url= http://www.velopress.com/books/tom-danielsons-core-advantage/ ]Core advantage[/url] and they seem to be helping. Planning a winter of doing them as I've had a bad back for ages.
Edit.
Shoes not too tight or too narrow - it happens with different shoes on different bikes (road / mtb / commuter) and some where the velcro/uppers are so knackered I can't get them tight any more.
Back feels fine even for 5 or 6 hours in the saddle (which is as long as I'd ever want to ride anyway) but I'll have a look at that core advantage cos it all must help.