one_for_one

i have a subtle pronation in my feet and someone suggested i use fit wedges with my spd pedals. has anyone tried it or something similar?

JoeB14

I use Lemond wedges with my SPD-SL pedals (cleats, actually). Seem to work well for me. Depending on the thickness of wedges you actually install...you may need to get longer cleat screws.

GAtkins

my fitter installed some for me. much better pedal stroke now.

Glenn

swindog

I have a pair of Specialized s-works shoes and I went to a Specialized Body Fit expert who was able to use the right shims and arches to make a dramatic difference in my alignment and stroke. It was worth every penny. The Specialized body fit folks are really well trained and I really recommend them.

Ware

I had a some kind of shim put inside the toe box of my right shoe (contrasted with a true cleat wedge) by the guy who did my fit. It was at least partly responsibly for eliminating some knee pain I was having. I say partially only because we made some other adjustments, and it wouldn't be entirely honest to state surely that it was the wedge that fixed my problem, though I believe it was.

Go for it, but I would suggest talking with someone who has experience with fitting them. I had a completely incorrect notion about how to use them, prior to my fit, and I'm very glad that I had someone do it for me.

calamarichris

My fitter (Nate Loyal) installed them on both sets of my shoes. Between the shims and my resizing, I was able to dodge the knife (surgery) and am now riding more than 500 miles per month with zero knee pain whatsoever.
Good luck!

DaveSSS 

Wedges are a good idea for a great many riders. Most people have forefoot varus, where the foot tilts down on the outside. I've got the opposite problem forefoot valgus on the left foot and no apparent problem on the right. I only need one wedge with the thick side on the outside of the left cleat to fix my problem.

I see a lot of riders with major alignment problems. It hurts just to watch them pedal, with the knees swinging wide on every upstroke. Ideally, the knee will go straight up and down.

For those with knee problems, the wedges are no guaranteed cure. There are lots of different knee problems and some need surgery to fix.

challaday

Until recently, I thought all this stuff was bogus. However, after working for a couple of months trying to dial in my cleats with no luck, I purchased (and installed) some wedges, and voila, knee pain gone.

I think as I've gotten older they're more valuable. When I was 20, my body didn't really care what angle my knee, ankle, or any other body part was at.

guadzilla

Are these wedges only useful for pronation? My feet tend to splay out a little - when I turn them in (ie, straight ahead), I have more weight on the outside than the inside. I havent had a lot of pain yet, but then, I dont have the bazillion miles that most of you guys do.

Worth getting wedges for prevention?

V.

thump55

I had pain in one knee and lots of side to side movement in that knee at the top of the stroke. I put two shims in, and it is much better. No pain, way less movement.

I did it all by myself just by experimenting and listening to my body.

garysol1 

Do not worry about trying to force your feet to point straight. Your feet on the pedals should mimic your natural stance. You should never try to force yourself into a unnatural position.

spdrcr5

The wedges can be used for either setup. They are very thing pieces of yellow plastic (LeMond Wedges). I've been using them for a few years and they have been a big help. Have them under both cleats. The company that sells them will help you on the phone to get them dialed in properly.

DaveSSS 

The wedges don't help with horizontal foot position, only vertical, but vertical aligment problems can go either direction, with inside or outside of the foot tilted down.

As others noted, it's usually not wise to attempt to correct foot angle. The most common problem is the heel is too close to the chainstays. I see that a lot. Some riders increase the tread width of the pedals with extensions to help. I've seen some very powerful riders with long pedal spindle extensions of different lengths on each side. Apparently real goofy footed people.

guadzilla

Well, it isnt so much straightening my feet completely - I am quite comfy with my feet turned in somewhat, but in such a case, my knees bend in a bit and I put more weight on the outside and less on the inside. If I spread my weight evenly on my feet, they tend to splay outwards.

"Feet turned in somewhat" (not all the way, though) is how I cycle actually, and havent had any pain so far for the past 3-4 months of road riding, and MTBing prior to that.

That's why I am trying to figure out if this is a case when it is better to act first before trouble starts, or if it falls in the "aint broke, leave well alone" category.

V.

thump55

If you don't have pain, I wouldn't mess with it.

My pain came as soon as I went clipless, it didn't "develop" over time. It went away as quick at it came once I put the shims in.