if the shoes don't fit...
#1
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if the shoes don't fit...
I went for a fit the other day and we ended the session just as we began.
He measured my arch and then my feet and ended the session with: "your shoes are too small."
My first reaction: WTF? I'm a 10.5, the shoes are 44s. So I asked, is my arch is too far forward? His reply was a first for me: "No. Actually, you have short toes."
My size 44 shoes will not allow the cleat to be in the proper position relative to my foot (and short toes). I need a 46 instead. His answer makes complete sense as the only point where you are tied to your bike is at your feet and every other adjustment begins with that.
I have been suffering perpetual problems with my IT band, hip flexor, discomfort in the posterior of my knee and I shift in the saddle often. Slight adjusting of saddle height and fore/aft position never helped for more than a few weeks or so.
So, more comfy ride: yep. How about additional power? I hope so. Will my slightly slacking training schedule be saved by a few watts bought with a new pair of shoes and fit? (if I had a PT, I'd post real results--instead, circumstantial evidence must suffice.)
...stay tuned. I'm excited to find out.
btw, my fit has been rescheduled to the day before the first good race/crit of the season (for me). I don't know how much new shoes/cleat position will change the rest of my fit, so I have no reservations about racing at the moment though if it is "weird" I'll sit out. thoughts?
He measured my arch and then my feet and ended the session with: "your shoes are too small."
My first reaction: WTF? I'm a 10.5, the shoes are 44s. So I asked, is my arch is too far forward? His reply was a first for me: "No. Actually, you have short toes."
My size 44 shoes will not allow the cleat to be in the proper position relative to my foot (and short toes). I need a 46 instead. His answer makes complete sense as the only point where you are tied to your bike is at your feet and every other adjustment begins with that.
I have been suffering perpetual problems with my IT band, hip flexor, discomfort in the posterior of my knee and I shift in the saddle often. Slight adjusting of saddle height and fore/aft position never helped for more than a few weeks or so.
So, more comfy ride: yep. How about additional power? I hope so. Will my slightly slacking training schedule be saved by a few watts bought with a new pair of shoes and fit? (if I had a PT, I'd post real results--instead, circumstantial evidence must suffice.)
...stay tuned. I'm excited to find out.
btw, my fit has been rescheduled to the day before the first good race/crit of the season (for me). I don't know how much new shoes/cleat position will change the rest of my fit, so I have no reservations about racing at the moment though if it is "weird" I'll sit out. thoughts?
#2
nom nom nom
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where are you getting fit?
I definitely need a good fit and a trip to IL would be worth it if the fitter is good.
I definitely need a good fit and a trip to IL would be worth it if the fitter is good.
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just got my fit...shoes and all. switched out the insoles to superfeet...wow. and they said the way i had my bike set up was perfect already...something about the angle of my knee and 30 deg. was the magic number? did the plumb line. all is good.
#5
grilled cheesus
I went for a fit the other day and we ended the session just as we began.
He measured my arch and then my feet and ended the session with: "your shoes are too small."
My first reaction: WTF? I'm a 10.5, the shoes are 44s. So I asked, is my arch is too far forward? His reply was a first for me: "No. Actually, you have short toes."
My size 44 shoes will not allow the cleat to be in the proper position relative to my foot (and short toes). I need a 46 instead. His answer makes complete sense as the only point where you are tied to your bike is at your feet and every other adjustment begins with that.
I have been suffering perpetual problems with my IT band, hip flexor, discomfort in the posterior of my knee and I shift in the saddle often. Slight adjusting of saddle height and fore/aft position never helped for more than a few weeks or so.
So, more comfy ride: yep. How about additional power? I hope so. Will my slightly slacking training schedule be saved by a few watts bought with a new pair of shoes and fit? (if I had a PT, I'd post real results--instead, circumstantial evidence must suffice.)
...stay tuned. I'm excited to find out.
btw, my fit has been rescheduled to the day before the first good race/crit of the season (for me). I don't know how much new shoes/cleat position will change the rest of my fit, so I have no reservations about racing at the moment though if it is "weird" I'll sit out. thoughts?
He measured my arch and then my feet and ended the session with: "your shoes are too small."
My first reaction: WTF? I'm a 10.5, the shoes are 44s. So I asked, is my arch is too far forward? His reply was a first for me: "No. Actually, you have short toes."
My size 44 shoes will not allow the cleat to be in the proper position relative to my foot (and short toes). I need a 46 instead. His answer makes complete sense as the only point where you are tied to your bike is at your feet and every other adjustment begins with that.
I have been suffering perpetual problems with my IT band, hip flexor, discomfort in the posterior of my knee and I shift in the saddle often. Slight adjusting of saddle height and fore/aft position never helped for more than a few weeks or so.
So, more comfy ride: yep. How about additional power? I hope so. Will my slightly slacking training schedule be saved by a few watts bought with a new pair of shoes and fit? (if I had a PT, I'd post real results--instead, circumstantial evidence must suffice.)
...stay tuned. I'm excited to find out.
btw, my fit has been rescheduled to the day before the first good race/crit of the season (for me). I don't know how much new shoes/cleat position will change the rest of my fit, so I have no reservations about racing at the moment though if it is "weird" I'll sit out. thoughts?
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Think seriously about custom shoes if you have funky feet. I would rate custom shoes right up there with a power meter.
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#7
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Thats a vote I like. I'm goign with the Shimano SH R300, the thermo foam custom fit. Given my shoes will be two sizes too big I figure the least they could be is snug.
#8
Tiocfáidh ár Lá
I definitely need custome shoes. My left foot is bigger than my right and I can't get the ball of the foot over the pedal axel with standard shoes and SPD-SL cleats. But I just deal with it anyway. Luckly for me I don't have pain anywhere as a result of it but I do wonder about power loss.
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So, I got the new shoes and I feel pretty good in them. The cleat is 1cm farther forward than where it could be positioned in my other shoes and ~1.5cm farther forward than where they were. I raced today in them and they felt good, though I need to reserve judgement till I put a few hundred miles in them. They are not uncomfortable nor are they "loose". If I think they could be more snug, they can be reheated and reformed up to 5 times. cool.
The fit went well too. Saddle dropped and shifted back. New stem (1cm longer) and I feel pretty solid on the bike. This too, time will tell..
The fit went well too. Saddle dropped and shifted back. New stem (1cm longer) and I feel pretty solid on the bike. This too, time will tell..
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My size 44 shoes will not allow the cleat to be in the proper position relative to my foot (and short toes).
#11
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^dunno. Though when it comes to cleat position with regard to power transfer there must be a better and worse. I mean, you don't push with your toes, or with your arch. In my case, as I trust these guys, I was farther on the "worse" end. 1.5 cm is huge difference, whereas with slight differences (those allowable with the shoe you own) I could see it not being as great an issue.
Last edited by slim_77; 03-29-09 at 08:26 AM.
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I needed custom shoes. Feet are 2 different sizes, and not shaped normal due to past bone injuries. It made a huge difference! With custom shoes, you don't have to worry about the actual shoe size. They're made for your feet. Big difference to buying off the shelf.
https://www.d2shoe.com
https://www.d2shoe.com
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#13
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it's been a bit more than a week and after 2 races, ~150 miles and the slight soreness caused by my using slightly different muscle groups has subsided, I am feeling much much stronger on the bike. My overall position feels more "natural" and I think I am faster. Though, it will take a few more really hard rides to determine that.
Overall, I'm very pleased with Get a Grip's assessment (despite the cost), their current midterm grade is A+.
Overall, I'm very pleased with Get a Grip's assessment (despite the cost), their current midterm grade is A+.
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Yep. I'm definitely faster, or at least using more of my strength more efficiently. That my friends is a good feeling.