CYCLING AND
PEDORTHICS
orthotic can help alleviate these problems. A cycling
orthotic should add to the rigidity of the cycling shoe,
integrate a metatarsal pad if needed and support the
plantar fascia.
The cleat and the interface to the cycling shoe is
adjustable. How much play in in the shoe/cleat/pedal
interface is referred to as float. Zero-degree float pedals
should be for expert level cyclists. The lack of play in
the pedals can cause pain up the kinetic chain- mainly
in the knees.
A lateral twist with the heel can easily remove the foot
from the retention cleat in the pedal—its an easy move
practicing with one hand on the wall, but trying it in
traffic at a stop sign can be an humbling experience.
Buying pedals that allow for tension adjustments is
important for cyclists new to cycling shoes.
The amount of tension has a lot to do with how eas-
ily the foot can be removed from the pedal. Like a ski
boot, the foot is attached to the pedal by a cleat similar
to ski or snowboard binding. You're locked in. Getting
separated from your gear either takes a conscious move
on your part or enough physics to jolt you from the
pedal. Ouch.
In rigid stance sports, any play in shoe fit results in loss
of power transmission to the piece of equipment. This
looseness creates dangerous situations. In expert level
road racing, high speeds are maintained through solid
control of the bicycle—through the pedals. Loose fit =
unsafe.
Proper placement of cleats on cycling shoes must
address cleat fore/aft position, cleat medial–lateral posi-
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Pedorthic Footcare Association www.pedorthics.org
tion, a 1°-3° forefoot varus wedge, toe vs. toe out and leg
length discrepancies.
In everyday causal cyclists, poor foot position on the
pedal can strain the plantar fascia as the foot bends
over the rear support on the pedal. The position of the
first metatarsal relative to the pedal spindle in many
ways dictates how the cyclist will be riding. In very
aggressive road racing stances—the rider's mass nearly
vertical over the pedals for power—the 1st MTP joint
will be over or behind the spindle on the pedal con-
necting it to the crank of the bicycle. This creates a
more performance stance that would likely put strain
on the muscles of a casual rider. Conversely, position-
ing the foot so the 1st MTP joint is forward of the pedal
spindle is generally more comfortable for the rider less
concerned with performance.
Cleat medial/lateral position aligns the toe and the
knee in a manner that helps mitigate knee pain due
to misalignment. Avoiding cleat adjustments that cre-
ate/enhance genu valgum is an easy fix. Being knock
kneed on the bicycle is the most common reason for
knee pain in the everyday cyclist. Pedorthically an easy
fix, this adjustment will knee pain at bay. For advanced
bicycle fits, using spacers on the pedal shim may be
needed- lengthening the spindle to accommodate for
different body frames.
Many cyclists have a natural forefoot varus that needs
shimming under the forefoot. Brands of pedals, shoes
and cleat systems all have different ways of address-
ing these biomechanics. Top notch cycling shoes have
excellent off the shelf fixes and wedges included in the
box. Placing shims in the shoe's forefoot is the easiest
way to accommodate for this. A competent Pedorthist