Foot/Pedal Day at F.I.S.T

6 cleat fits – Slowtwich compound January 13, 2010
We noted degree of fore foot tilt and then how many wedges were used.
This time we also listed the type of shoe.
Total wedges installed = 18 (17 varus and 1 valgus)
1 Leg Length Shim stack (2 wedges alternately stacked - not included in the wedge count)

Do you use a similar amount of wedges? If not do you know why?

Eric - BG shoes
Left 12 degree varus 2 varus Wedges (1 ITS & 1 CW)
Right 10 degrees varus 2 varus Wedges (1 ITS & 1 CW)

Rick -BG shoes
Left 8 degrees varus 0 wedges –
Right 14 degrees varus 3 varus wedges (1 ITS and 2 CWs)
(Replaced BG shim with ITS wedge)

Tony - Time shoes
Left 17 degrees varus 3 varus CWs
 - one cleat stack for leg length -
Right 17 degrees varus 3 varus CWs
Plus - added Superfeet

Johan – BG shoes
Right 5 degrees varus - 2 CW varus
Left 0 degrees (neutral fore foot) - 1 valgus CW

Fernando – Shimano shoes
13 degrees varus 3 varus CWs
6 degrees varus 2 vaurs CWs

Dan – Bont shoes
Right 16 degrees varus 4 varus CWs
Left 10 degrees varus 3 varus CWs

Solving Hot Foot

New web site from Testrider.com
http://www.testrider.com/fly.aspx?layout=home&taxid=54
http://www.testrider.com/fly.aspx?layout=content&taxid=74&cid=152

What can I say - I like to just get to the point.
Swifty

Sometimes I am just not sure what to say

I recently asked a bike fitter if he used the FFMD (Fore Foot Measuring Device)

Here is the reply

"I did consider using the FFMD but believe it is too accurate for my needs."

Keep the count coming

On a recent trip to France I had the opportunity of fitting 3 cyclists and make recommendations on a 4th cyclist.

Rider #1.
2 wedges left foot, 3 wedges right foot - measured everything with the Look Keo Fit System and after the wedges had been placed the rider can now use a gray cleat while before due to "excessive rotation" could only ride with a red cleat. Right cleat was moved in about 1mm to get better tracking. Other changes were raise and moved forward seat (original leg extension just about 30 degrees) and flip stem. For the first time he felt that his big toes were making contact with the soles of the shoes.

Rider #2
1 wedge left and 2 wedges right foot. Did not measure anything with the Keo Fit System. Seat was raised and moved forward (original extension a little shy of 30 degrees). During his 45 minute ride during lunch hour he noticed a much improved pedal stroke and improved comfort in his shoes.

Rider #3
With the FFMD I recorded 15 degree varus left and 20 degree of varus on the right food. Started out with 2 wedges left and 3 right and the knee tracking was much improved. Other changes were also were to raise the seat and move forward. Double checked for cleat rotation with the Look Keo Fit System and his number showed much less rotation after the fact which was very visible by looking at the rider from the front.

Rider #4
The recommendation is to start with 1 wedge left and 2 wedges right and then build up if needed after that. This rider uses Keo Quarz pedals on his road bike which is his training bike as he races MTB on week-end and wants to have the same set-up for his shoes.


In this picture we can really see why his right knee does not track correctly. He also complains that after 2 hours he starts getting pain on the outside of his knee/leg.


This frontal view depicts very well what 10 degrees of Varus do to the pedaling mechanics.


Summary:

Fits: 3 +1

Wedges Used: 13 +3

Average Wedges per rider: 4

Average Wedges/rider on Left: 1.25
Average Wedges/rider on Right: 2.5

new on VeloNews - The coaches panel

Kit and I are now on VeloNews at The Coaches Panel

Here are a couple links for you

- Bow legged rider

- Fixing a 'dropped hip'

- Leg length discrepancy

and more

Hope you enjoy

Cory the 2009 Cross King at the office

Cory (above in yellow shirt at InterBike) let them have it yesterday in Bend, OR at USA National Cross Championships - B Group/Non-Elite men U23. Silver hardware will mean a certain upgrade for 2010 in Seattle.

Elite

http://www.elitebicycles.com/blog/news/perfect-fit-part-1/
One of our best customers is writing about bike fit. You might find it interesting.

David, the owner/founder of Elite Bicycles is often brash and very confident with himself but I like him and he goes the extra mile to serve his customers.

Shalom