QUESTION: My left heel shifts inward toward the crank. It’s not a problem when pedaling easily, but when I increase the wattage, my heel hits the crankarm. I also get saddle sores on the left side only. Any ideas? — Jeremy P.
RBR REPLIES: Problems like this are very difficult to deal with via e-mail.
If you were getting a fitting and being video recorded while you ride the bike on a trainer or fit machine to analyze your pedal stroke, I think you might find that you’re reaching for the pedal with your right leg more than with your left. The result would be that your left leg compensates or “shortens” by rotating the foot, making your heel brush the crankarm.
This, in turn, may cause pelvic rotation on the saddle, creating abrasion and the sores you experience.
You may have what is called a functional leg-length inequality. Your legs may be the same length, but due to factors such as pronation, they are effectively different lengths when you’re pedaling. Cycling-specific orthotics might alleviate this problem.
Your best best is to get a professional bike fit and follow the recommendations of the fitter.
You may have an underlying ankle injury. My right heel hits the frame without pedal extenders fitted. This was the case before and after corrective surgery.
You may be walking on the outside of the foot (check your normal shoes for wear) already?
I have found that an orthotic to lift the outside of my forefoot helps, but that’s specific to my issue.
I’m dead slow though! ??
As Bill mentioned above, there are also medical reasons that should be considered. In my case, it turned out to be a completely shot L hip joint. I hadn’t noticed anything until a fellow rider asked why I was sitting on one side of the saddle. I put the trainer in front of a mirror and realized I couldn’t correct my sitting position. A total hip replacement fixed my problem.
Why not adjust your left cleat a bit so that your heel does not hit the crankarm? Try and see if it solves the problem, then hit the “that was EASY” button.
MIne does this, too — I’m pretty sure it’s just the way my anatomy works. I use Wahoo Speedplay pedals, which allow you to dial in the amount of allowed foot rotation on the shoe cleat. I adjusted them until my foot will just no longer rotate enough toward the crank arm to hit it. Of course, after 6 months I’m starting to notice some pain the the knee above it, and now I wonder if this is part of the issue. Go figure.
As a bike fitter myself, Stan is pretty accurate and hits on the problem – not enough information to figure out a solution. Could be a medical issue, ankle problem, LLD (leg length discrepancy (structural or functional – again, not enough info), cleat issue, saddle issue, pedaling issue, etc., or even a combination of the above. This is the first thing that is addressed during a bike fit – called the interview process. Next comes the off-bike evaluation/assessment, and then on the bike eval/assessment, the fit starts. Oh, make sure if you do get a bike fit, make sure you choose a fitter who knows what they are doing as well as has a relationship with a physical therapist. Look for an IBFI level 4 fitter, OR choose a PT that is a bike fitting expert.
In my 50s a physio pointed out that my right forefoot is sl pointed out, probably from the hip. In any case I was using straps (flat pedals) so no need to decide whether to cleat my foot straight but before standing I try to remember to straighten my foot to avoid the risk of slipping laterally out the strap.
Perhaps a long shot, but many people have mild scoliosis, often undiagnosed. I am one. My GP has never mentioned it, but the left side of my leather saddle gets deformed from more presssure and when I sit I sometimes notice my left buttock hurting. On a long drive my righ shoulder blade might hurt. All this is probably due to the fact that I am twisted to the right: my right shoulder is lower and back and this shifts weight to my left buttock. I try to twist the opposite way when I ride, sit and sleep, also do stretches opposite the twist. You might try rotating you body slightly as you ride and see if you notice a difference.