KantoBoy

I'm thinking this has something to do with cleat position or on how my foot tilts. This only started this year and I'm wondering why. I initially blamed my foot getting wider from playing more basketball over the winter but that reason doesn't make much sense to me.

I use Speedplays and I've had my cleats far back and on the extreme inner (AGAIN, no pain the past few years and my LEFT FOOT IS PROBLEM-FREE). I'm pedaling fine and have raced with this set up with no issues last yr.

Anyone got ideas? I've adjusted the cleats a bit for tomorrow's ride (3mm to the outer)

berner

I wouldn't dismiss the possibility that your feet may have changed and got larger. I had that very thing happen when I began backpacking. I had purchased new hiking boots which after about two months no longer fit well.

deapee

I developed an issue where my whole foot started hurting on longer rides with my mtb shoes. I ended up moving the cleat back about 4mm and using the back hole to allow the metal plate that it attaches to, to be more forward on the bottom of my foot...worked for me.

I just threw them on wherever originally and didn't think twice about it (about 2 years ago) and never had an issue. There is so much float in my shoes that I don't think it really mattered. I think I started having issues when I took training more seriously this year and started pushing pretty decent sustained wattage, in all honesty.

Clem von Jones

If the cleats are all the way back you could try more saddle setback, 3 or 4mm, or use a thinner insole in your shoes

FBinNY 

part of the inflammation process involves swelling. So you might have done something, ie. kicked a chair leg or whatever, and now that toe is a bit swollen, and the shoes tighter by that amount. The added pressure keeps it alive, and will continue to do so unless/until you give it a long no pressure rest.

BTW- what started this might not be as obvious than having kicked the bed. maybe you wore new shoes a few days to break them in, and now your trusty cycling shoes are tight.

Also keep in mind that often pain in the extremities has nothing to do with anything local. Though I've never heard of it related to a toe, pain in the lower legs often traces back to sciatica or some other nerve or circulation issue.

zx9rmal

Are these the same shoes you have always been using? I had the same problem and it went away when I went to good quality/fitting shoes. Speedplay makes all kinds of wedges/shims for this issue. I would call them. Also, a good fitter should be able to sort this out. Good luck.

tangerineowl

Have you tried inserting a 'button' under the insole?
i.e. I had the same issue a while back.

Cut out a 35mm? diameter round section from another old insole, and taped this underneath my new insole, at the centre of the ball of the foot.

Kind of like this:-
Metatarsal Pad Benefits | Natural Footgear

DIY / no cost / 5 min. job. Numb outer little toe/s gone

KantoBoy

Hey thanks for the tip

I actually bought some metatarsal pads and did a test ride last Friday. I really cannot tell if it made any difference. My feet were still painful post ride.

Maximum Effort

New cyclist here. I just had a Retul fitting. One of my minor complaints was pinky toe numbness. They put shims under my toes...that made it worse! They also suggested Carbon shoes. I'm not going to spend $400 on shoes but maybe more than my Velcro Shimanos.

tangerineowl

That's a shame.

Would it be worth tracking down a physio who also does bike fit, in your area?

fietsbob

Feet not being made in a factory, like shoes are, one foot is different from the other.

You wear narrow clipless cycling shoes they are tight because they are made that way.

Shoe repair shop may Take your shoes In and stretch it from the inside out.

(pedicure that little toe nail short)

I rode months long tours on toe clip and strap pedals and wore Loose fitting Shoes ,
With comfortable insoles and my feet remained comfortable the whole time.

philbob57

Another option is flat pedals and something like Five Ten/DZR/Chrome or similar shoes. The advantage is that you can move your foot on the pedal if a hot spot occurs. Flats typically have more surface area supporting your foot so pounds/square inch isless with flats than with clipless or even quills/toe clips - less pressure means less likelihood of hotspots.

Not for everyone, but something to consider....

Ali89

Have you thought about wedges? BikeFit - Cleat Wedges

I used to get bad discomfort on the outside of my foot before I started using them. Pretty sure someone makes them for speedplay.

ThermionicScott 

How tight do you lace your shoes? Your feet naturally swell a little on longer rides, and I need to start a ride with somewhat loose shoes for everything to equal out.

It's also very possible that your right foot is a little wider than your left, so it doesn't have enough lateral room in the toebox.

NickFit0036

My feet went numb easily for a long time before I found the perfect shoes. I currently ride Fizik R3 shoes and they have a gel pad under the insole that takes so much pressure off of the toes. They are also just the prefect shape for my feet. But, if the outside of one of your feet is going numb, you may have a Q-factor issue. If your hip on that side is too wide, your knee may be coming out on the top of the stoke (looks like a V). This will cause you to put a lot of pressure on the outside of the foot, causing the small toe to go numb. You can resolve this by either moving your clear further inward towards the big toe which will more the foot outward away from the frame increasing your Q measurement. If your cleat is already all the way in, you can use some pedal spacers to get your foot further away from the frame. I used to run 3 1mm spacers on one side of my crank and 0 spacers on the other side for this very reason. Give it a try.

Nick Zema
Bought A Bike Online? I Come To You Build & Fit It. Road Mountain Tri

Dave Cutter

Shoes wear out. They develop divot-like grooves where toes, heel, and the ball of the foot wear on the insole. Sometimes.... the fix is a new pair of shoes.

fietsbob

Shimano SPD sandals can be individually adjusted with their straps .

though You may not be able to Use Speed Play Frog pedals and get them to release easily.