Crampy feet from flat pedals

Never had this when I had SPDs, but on longer descents I’m starting to get achy/crampy feet on flats. Only using skate shoes, not bike specific shoes, so dunno if that’s a factor, but obviously much less stiff than SPD shoes. No issues when going uphill, just down. Maybe it’s poor foot positioning? Suggestions welcome.

stiffness i reckon yes, your feet bend down over the back of flats with soft shoes, which isn’t great. not good for your achilles tendon either i find

Go back to spd’s

I get the same thing on more technical/twisty stuff where my weight is shifting side to side and often mostly on one foot. Going to try some stiff soles flat shoes first, 5 10 impacts or similar.

Bike flat shoes such as 5.10 etc have quite a stiff sole.
Also don’t do them up too tight, esp over the top of your foot.
Change / vary your foot position on the flats. Might help.

Funny this. I used to suffer with the same problem, been running SPDs since Sunday and the problem has gone. I was using cheapo Airwalk trainers from sports direct, no sole support what so ever.

Thanks

Do you ride ball over the spindle or midfoot? Try midfoot if you don’t already. I do all my flat pedal riding further forward than my spud position. I find it gives better control.

Ball for pedalling, midfoot for standing, I reckon. The pedalling gives me no bother.

Shimano AM41, got rid of that issue for me straight away (on rougher descents). Very long very rocky descents in Spain (think constant rock garden), my feet would have fallen off with my old Vans, no problems with the AM41s. Stiffer, very grippy, laces out the way and reasonable coverage on wet winter rides.

Yes, my wife has those and she has no such problems

You need stiff soles. End of.

^ This.

Five:10s are the obvious choice, but a decent pair of stiff soled skate shoes work well too. Nike 6.0 and some DCs have worked for me so far.

Laces too tight?

Your shoes are too soft, I’ve had the same issue and proper flat pedal shoes fix it.

Don’t think they’re especially tight. They are very flexy so that might be the first thing to try.

Yeah its the soles being too soft I reckon. Vans dont stay stiff for very long. The best shoes I’ve had for riding were some Orchid cobra bmx shoes. Dont seem to make em any more though 🙁

Some AM41’s are coming. I’ll be back if that doesn’t work.

Could be foot positioning, lots of people ride with their feet far back on the pedal which puts a lot of stress on the foot. Especially people used to SPDs. Ideal foot positions tend to be different between the two.

A change of shoes has made a significant difference. Chenquieh.