SPD Aldi shoes and pain around the ball of the foot

[Spoked Wheels]

I've had these shoes for less than 6 months and this weekend was the first time I felt pain.

Can anybody suggest a possible cause / solution please?

 

[vernon]

Overtightness. Loosen the laces/ straps.

 

[TVC]

The position of the cleat might be wrong, try moving it back/forward, it's amazing how much difference a few mm can make.

 

[Spoked Wheels]

The position of the cleat might be wrong, try moving it back/forward, it's amazing how much difference a few mm can make.

I think you make a good point. I changed the cleat last week. I had forgotten about it

 

[TVC]

It is amazing how much difference small adjustments make. I changed worn out cleats, setting them perfect along the length of the shoe. First ride out I had terrible ankle pains, I'd forgotten that I ride slightly 'toe in' so I had to very slightly skew the front of the cleat out.

 

[ColinJ]

It is amazing how much difference small adjustments make. I changed worn out cleats, setting them perfect along the length of the shoe. First ride out I had terrible ankle pains, I'd forgotten that I ride slightly 'toe in' so I had to very slightly skew the front of the cleat out.

I ride 'toes out' but once accidentally set new cleats for slightly 'toes in'. In one short ride I hurt my knees so much that it was weeks before the discomfort went away.

 

[ASC1951]

I ride 'toes out' but once accidentally set new cleats for slightly 'toes in'. In one short ride I hurt my knees so much that it was weeks before the discomfort went away.

When I install new cleats I do a few miles before I tighten them the last 10%.

 

[Rezillo]

Sounds like it may be 'hot foot', especially if this has developed with longer rides and more intensive use. The cause, if so, is the shoe sole flexing around the spd mount point which in turn causes pain that feels as if it is deep within your foot bones across the full width by the ball of your foot (I speak from experience ).

If it is hot foot, the only cure if you want to stick with spds is a new pair of shoes with stiffer soles. The pain takes a few weeks to go away completely but cycling is possible from day 1 of new shoes. Some shoes have deep tread either side of the cleat position that in combination with some spd pedals acts to increase the effective width of the contact point.

Spd-sl and similar fittings have broad contact points nowhere near as prone to this problem but then they are not much good for walking around in.

 

[fossyant]

I think you make a good point. I changed the cleat last week. I had forgotten about it

Bingo !

 

[Spoked Wheels]

Sounds like it may be 'hot foot', especially if this has developed with longer rides and more intensive use. The cause, if so, is the shoe sole flexing around the spd mount point which in turn causes pain that feels as if it is deep within your foot bones across the full width by the ball of your foot (I speak from experience ).

If it is hot foot, the only cure if you want to stick with spds is a new pair of shoes with stiffer soles. The pain takes a few weeks to go away completely but cycling is possible from day 1 of new shoes. Some shoes have deep tread either side of the cleat position that in combination with some spd pedals acts to increase the effective width of the contact point.

Spd-sl and similar fittings have broad contact points nowhere near as prone to this problem but then they are not much good for walking around in.

What you are saying also makes a lot of sense.

Although I did change the cleats - something I do often as I have 4 pairs of shoes and god knows how many sets of cleats floating around the house. I found the cleats I was using were rather hard to release and the pedal would not adjust - Shimano PD-A600 - the metal is too soft..... so I thought I'd use a different set of cleats that I new worked well with these pedals. I've done this many times and never a problem.

Now, last Sunday with the weather being nice I went for a much longer ride since last summer. So, it was the first time on a 50+ miles ride with these shoes.

Nevertheless, I will reinstall the cleats again and see what happens.

Cheers for all the good tips you have all given me.

 

[Rezillo]

All the other cause mentioned are possible but a combination of cheap shoes and the long ride you did makes hot foot more likely. However, that's just my opinion!

See:

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/foot-pain-shoe-advice.29574/

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/sore-soles-of-feet-using-spds.59797/#post-1129721

 

[ColinJ]

All the other cause mentioned are possible but a combination of cheap shoes and the long ride you did makes hot foot more likely. However, that's just my opinion!

I ride in a similar pair of ALDI SPD shoes. I have had 'hot foot' problems with expensive SIDI shoes in the past, and I have done several rides over 140 miles with 13,000+ ft of tough climbing in the ALDI shoes and had no problem. The difference for me was in the adjustment of the cleats.

I did own an uncomfortable pair of shoes of another brand - I could feel the cleats through the soles of the shoes. They were useless except on short rides.

 

[Spoked Wheels]

I ride in a similar pair of ALDI SPD shoes. I have had 'hot foot' problems with expensive SIDI shoes in the past, and I have done several rides over 140 miles with 13,000+ ft of tough climbing in the ALDI shoes and had no problem. The difference for me was in the adjustment of the cleats.

I did own an uncomfortable pair of shoes of another brand - I could feel the cleats through the soles of the shoes. They were useless except on short rides.

Thanks for that, very reassuring.

I've had no problems with other Aldi and Lidl shoes. For the money and the type / amount of riding I do they are just fine.

 

[Rezillo]

Thanks for that, very reassuring.

I've had no problems with other Aldi and Lidl shoes. For the money and the type / amount of riding I do they are just fine.

Yes, I've got a pair of Lidl trainers that are fine. I also bought a pair that I've thrown out because they were rubbish. The problem is that for many of the clothing and footwear items, there is no constant Aldi or Lidl manufacturer as such - what we get depends on whatever material is used by whatever far eastern manufacturer/supplier gets the contract for each promotion, with a Crane or Crivit label slapped on it. I've got some great quality cycling shirts from Lidl but I've also got some crap ones that cost exactly the same.

 

[postman]

The position of the cleat might be wrong, try moving it back/forward, it's amazing how much difference a few mm can make.

That 's what the wife tells me.I have no idea what she is talking about,she has not been out on her bike for 18 months.