Orthotics?

[TmcDet]

The recent talk here about custom shoes has gotten me to thinking that maybe I should or could do something to help my feet. I do have some problems with my feet hurting from riding and am wondering if some type of orthotic would help. I actually went to a local backpacking store to get a pair of the superfeet gray insoles but they did not have the grays (they could not order any without meeting a min. order) so I have been looking to see what else might be available. There are several brands I have seen that claim to help the cyclist. Some of these are one size fit all you trim them to fit the shoe, others are made to the shoe size, still others are to be heated and then worn so that they form to the feet. Have any out there in Serotttaville tried these footbeds? If so which ones have you tried and do they work or not?

Thanks,
Kenneth

[Climb01742]

i haven't tried mass market ones but one thing to be aware of is: orthotics for runners are shorter than for cyclists. running footbeds end just past the ball of the foot. cycling orthotics need to be full foot, to support the front of the foot too. so be sure to get a full foot model. good luck.

[JohnS]

I have them in my Sidi's. I used to get plantar fascitis but haven't since I got them. You can order them direct from www.superfeet.com. I don't quite believe the backpacking shop because they should be able to order them right along with the green and blue. It sounds more like the "sell them what we have in stock" syndrome.

[Bruce K]

My road shoes are fitted with custom made orthotics from Bill Petersen.

After a few rides to get used to them I will never ride road without them. Greater comfort, enhanced performance, they are great.

I used "ready mades" in my MTB/cyclocross shoes. For the short amount of time (relatively) that I am in them they are good enough.

Your choice would depend alot on how much you need them. I am badly pronated and they make a big difference.

If you are having problems a visit to a podiatrist, sport medicine MD, or a person like Bill Petersen (Foot Fitness - Middletown, RI) will tell you what (if anything) you need.

BK

[Orin]

I use the Superfeet green insoles myself. They do a good job of stopping my foot from collapsing (which resulted in my knee rotating inward and knee pain).

Orin.

[djg]

Basically a lower volume version of the green ones (without the forward pitch of the grays). I like them. The blues are pretty widely available at camping and ski shops, but if you cannot find them I think you can get them directly from superfeet--try their web site (which also has a customer service phone number).

[TmcDet]

I have a friend that got a set of PowerBeds back yrs ago, he looked in them the other day they are called Bill Petersen PowerBeds. I have seen that both Excel Sports and Performance have a product called Petersen PowerBeds, one difference in these new Powerbeds vs the old ones is that the old ones were fitted to his feet at a local bike shop. I think that all the fitting to the feet consisted of was heating them and then standing in them or something like that.

[jeffg]

makes amazing custom orthodics for cyclists, and has even made some for LA himself. He is in Marin County, but I would either go get custom orthodics from him or go to Italy and get custom DMT's, perhaps. Take your bike (Dr. Ehrenberg uses a fit evaluation on bike as well as molding your feet) and get some great riding in! Your feet will thank you!


best,

Jeff

[Bruce K]

Same guy.

He now has a business (Foot Fitness) in RI where he does custom made orthotics for cycling, running, skiing, and every day (medical/physiological) issues.

I'm not sure who is actually making the ready-made footbeds.

BK

[zap]

Oddly enough, I really like the footbeds that come with Specialized Pro shoes. I take them out of my Specialized Pro MTB shoe and put them in my Sidi Ergo 1's. For me they feel great and do a much better job than Superfeet footbeds.

I'm currently asking Specialized dealers if I can purchase footbeds only. No luck yet.

[Brian]

The owner of my LBS happens to be quite accomplished at making custom orthotics. I tried the Superfeet, but they just didn't provide the support I needed - although they did provide MUCH more support than the flimsy inserts that come with today's cycling shoes.

The day I got my custom orthotics was the day my foot pain VANISHED. It was nothing short of a miracle. My orthotics cost around $150, are made of high-density cork and have no signs of wear after over 4,000 miles. They are one of the best cycling-related purchases I’ve ever made. Spend the $$$ for some custom orthotics and you will not be sorry.

[TmcDet]

I'm currently asking Specialized dealers if I can purchase footbeds only. No luck yet.

I think you should be able to get Specialized footbeds...a called 2 bikes shops in Dallas that carry Specialized inserts

you can actually order them from Specialized (http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=5333&JServSessionIdroot=didpe4culy.j27004) online

[zap]

Thanks. I just checked the specialized website and sure enough there it was.

So much for lbs helping you out :rolleyes:

Again, thanks TmcDet

[Dr. Doofus]

The doc and I have been sticking custom orthodics in our shoes since 1989...we've only had one brand of cycling-specific insoles (Rocket 7) and they weren't noticably better than what we rode for years, namely, those made by orthopedic specialists who made our inserts for all our other shoes, but who had the talent to look at the shape of a cycling shoe and shape the orthodic properly....

If you have a pronation/supination problem, an orthodic Rembrandt can hook you up...I and he wouldn't mess with the over-the-counter variety...if you have feet that need orthodics, you need to find a foot guru....

When we had our Rocket 7 shoes made, we sent our molds from Bud the tattooed guy who made our running and cycling orthodics...they felt better than what R7 did....

[Bosun]

In order of ascending price:

1. Superfeet for $30. these are fine and dandy--but really the least you should do. Most modern shoes and boots come with throwaway insoles that cost the company @20 cents.

2. Petersons or other custom sport orthotic. Good ski shops have been doing custom insoles for boots for years...When I used to work at a ski shop I had the boot tech make me about 4 pair of Petersons. (Yes, it is a brand name where he sells the info/tech et al.) You can have different insoles made for very stiff soles like ski boots, stiff low profile like bike shoes, flexible for my hikers, more flexible for everyday, etc...These were between 80 and 125.

3. Insole from Dr. or other for more, but no doubt the best...

[txrider]

I've used the Superfeet and Petersens. Although an improvement, I was still having foot pain and other problems with these inserts on long rides. I went for the orthotics fitted by a local podiatrist. I rode PBP with them...what a difference! If you do have them fitted: 1) get recommendations from others who have used that podiatrist, 2) check his experience with runners and cyclists, 3) make sure he gives you the casts...you've paid for them, 4) pick the right kind of orthotic for your foot and for cycling. There are a number and your Dr. should help you out on this and finally, 5) give the Dr. your cycling shoes so that the orthotic can be cut to fit exactly. Make sure the shoes are size your are going to use. I went up 1/2 size for comfort on long rides and to provide a bit more space for the orthotic.

Cheers!

[eddief]

The link to this site was working yesterday, but seems out of commission today. This doc is in Marin County, CA.


This doc has worked with Lance.

http://www.wellfeet.com/index.htm

[TmcDet]

I order a pair of the Superfeet Gray's yesterday, these inserts were really hard to find. After trying all the dealers within 100 miles of me with none of them having a pair, I went to online retailers where I finally found one that had them. Hopefully they will be here by the weekend and I can try them out.

My feet problems are what I would consider as being minor so I think if these inserts do much at all they will help me. I got to messing with cleat placement on my shoes again yesterday, along with comparing the feel of the left foot cleat vs the right foot cleat. I found that I didn't even notice the pedal attachment to my left foot while I could feel pressure points on my right foot. I moved the cleat around on my right foot and think that I made it better but could still feel the attachment.