Home› General Training Discussions

Newbie Needs Advice - Cycling Shoes

Marc TaylorMarc Taylor
in General Training Discussions

I hope this is in the right place for some advice from the team ... I have wide feet with Morton's Neuroma on both sides confirmed by a podiatrist.  Coach P has been helping me, first with running shoes and now I need help with cycling shoes.  

I went to a running store in Los Angeles and tried about a dozen pairs, running in each one, video, etc ... great experience.  Previously I bought Newton, Saucony, Asics, NB, and settled in after my visit on Hoka One One Biondi4's in a 10.5 EE (pic attached) ... I think all of the others "fit" (11.5D) but they were sized at other shops in a D width ( I suspect because that is all they had on hand).  Anyhow, made a huge difference and no more pain while running!

Now to cycling shoes, inherently narrow, I've tried Bontraeger (hurt like crap) and a new pair of Specialized S-Works Tri-Vent (11.5D) recommended by my bike store owner ... I was going for a 100 miles yesterday and stopped at 75 because my feet hurt ... plenty of energy in the tank to keep going but every crank hurt towards the end of the ride.  I have had a geometric fit on my bike so feel dialed in except my feet.

I can across this website http://naturalfootgear.com/blogs/education/17861648-cycling-shoe-surgery

However, before I take a scalpel to my new cycling shoes I wanted to see if any of you masters out there had advice on other shoes, etc.  

Signed up for my first IM at CDA in August ... no huge expectations except to finish, but would like to do it without too much pain if at all possible (I know there will be pain, sweat, and tears, but the feet are kinda important lol).

PLEASE HELP, any advice would be appreciated.

Marc

Comments

  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    I have specialized tri vent shoes for my tri shoes. I use Shimano wide shoes for my MTB, they're WAY wide - and nice. You might try that brand.

    Separately, here's my story on my Morton's Neuroma experience: https://coachscottalexander.wordpress.com/2015/07/31/my-hot-spotneuroma-story/
  • Marc TaylorMarc Taylor
    Scott ... Thanks for the insight, I will look at the Shimano options. I read through the link you supplied ... Very interesting and pictures look like what I feel in my feet. Looks like it's been a year post op for you, any lingering effects/drawbacks? I plan on "pushing through" for this race and having it permanently fixed this fall. Hoping I can manage the symptoms well enough with gear modifications and get through IMCDA in August.

    Thank you for a speedy and insightful reply.

    Marc
  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    @Marc, only some scars between my toes. Other than that, one of the best decisions I've ever made to have them cut out!
    The blog post was from last year, but the surgery was way back in March 2013.
  • Marc TaylorMarc Taylor
    @ Scott ... thanks, I'm on the prowl for some wide shoes ... will get a long term fix after the IMCDA race in August.

    I appreciate your input!

    Marc
  • Marc TaylorMarc Taylor
    @Scott ... Still looking! Tried some Shimano, SIDI x 2 pairs to no avail ... Ordered a SIDI that's wider, as well as, Vittoria IKON with an interesting enclosure around the toe box to distribute forces differently. Do you have any experience with Vittoria? Also, trying to get in to see Todd at TTBikeFit to see if other adjustments are warranted.

    Talk soon!
    Marc
  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    @Marc, sorry, but no, I've never used anything other than sidi (my first two seasons), specialized (last 12 years) and now my MTB shoes are Shimano (this last year).
  • Marc TaylorMarc Taylor
    @Scott ... Went to see Todd @TTBikeFit and he recommended a pair of Bont tri-shoes that are really wide and not too expensive AND are mold able at relatively low temperatures. They are very comfortable and accept my insoles and neuroma pads seamlessly. Might check them out ... Link is attached below. Hope you are well!

    Marc

    http://shop.bontcycling.com/epages/BontCycling.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BontCycling/Products/RTR-36
  • Marc TaylorMarc Taylor
    @Scott ... hope you've been well! Revisiting neuromas ... been getting injections for a few weeks and they honestly feel worse. About to make the decision to cut them out ... what was recovery like for you? Several people I've talked to say it still hurts ... have you had any reoccurrence since surgery. Sorry to ask so many questions ... just need confidence it will be better on the other side.

    Talk soon.
    Marc
  • jwingadjwingad
    @marc, I'm jumping in on this thread as a fellow neuroma sufferer. I had the shots for years without relief so I went forward with the surgery. As always there are positives and negatives. The most severe pain is gone but now I have a stump neuroma which I have been told is rarely painful. I'm one of the unlucky ones to have the pain so I'm back to treating it just as I did with the initial neuroma. Wider shoes are on the way! For my initial surgery, the recovery was pretty quick-2 weeks for the incision to heal with mild tenderness for a few weeks afterwards.

    Hope you find some relief!
  • Woody FreeseWoody Freese
    Marc: As I recall from my days of working in bike shops, Sidi makes a wide road (Genius Mega) and a wide mountain shoe (Dominator Mega) - this could be one option...
    I have been on the eternal quest for a road/tri shoe - and much like the quest for the perfect saddle, I am always looking for more/better. As a former short-track speedskater (albeit a poor one!), I had a love for Bont skate boots. When I started the quest for a better cycling shoe, I was drawn to Bont's variety of options (styles, wide, moldable, etc...). The challenges I have had with Bont is A): finding a store that carries their shoes in the New England area; B) finding a place that does not charge a 20-30% restocking fee for returns of on-line orders; C) having a chance to try models on for basic fit in toe box; and D) finding a trained Bont fitter (admittedly, I am not confident in my own ability to heat shoes without damaging them - and would rather have a fitter do the heating/molding. Right now, I have 3 pair of brand new Bont road shoes that do not fit - and as much as I would like to continue to make this relationship work, it's starting to get stupid expensive trying to find one pair of their shoes. Messages to Bont HQ (in Australia) met with little success :-(

    I have found a bit of luck in Specialized S-Works road shoes, as they make a wide version. I love the Boa closure (vs. velcro straps). Past experience with velcro straps is that if the strap closes to the inside of my foot, the strap rubs on the crank arm - and I found that annoying. You may not. The challenge with Specialized is that if your local dealer does not carry the size and make/model, you have to special order them - and most bike shops will not bring in 3-4 pair of special order shoes for you to try, with the hope that you may (or may not?) buy one of the pair - and leave the remaining model for inventory. Also, Specialized does not allow dealers to do on-line orders. Last year, I spent several months calling various dealers across the country, in an effort to find the size/model I was looking for. Once I found the shoe, I had to call Specialized and ask for permission for a dealer in Denver to ship to me. Specialized granted permission (it was like an act of Congress) - THEN the frickin' dealer in Denver wanted to tack on a $40 upcharge (for a $350 pair of shoes!) for special handling and 8% tax . I told them to go to hell - and began my quest, once again, of searching eBay.

    What pedals are you using? If it is a road specific pedal, you are bound to a traditional road/tri specific shoe. If you were to look at a clipless hybrid or mountain bike pedal, you may find that more shoe options are available. Years ago, I might have been embarrassed to be seen with a pair of mountain shoes/pedals - that said, I am over worrying what others might think about my gear - and focus on comfort/functionality first & foremost!

    Long response - hopefully some of this will help?
Sign In or Register to comment.