Custom Footbeds & Cleat/Leg Alignment Services

The Foundation of a Good Bike Fit

WHY YOU NEED FOOT SUPPORT WHILE CYCLING:

A strong and durable bike fit, like a good building, should be built from the foundation up. Aligning the foot and making it a stable structure on the pedal is the cycling equivalent of pouring a good foundation. It is a very important first step towards achieving an efficient, powerful and durable cycling position. You have probably noticed (on yourself or others) that many rider’s knees either track towards the outside or inside at the top of the pedal stroke in a quick snap-like motion – they do not stay in-line. This motion is often caused by a lack of alignment of the lower leg and foot. It compromises power, strength, endurance and even aerodynamics. The good news is that there are devices available that can accommodate for your individual alignment and bring your knee and leg into an aligned, safe, strong and more aerodynamic position.

The human foot and ankle are designed for walking and running, not rigid shoe sports like cycling. Most people’s feet have built in shock absorption in the joints and soft tissue that allows them to absorb the impact of weighted motion. This shock absorption characteristic is reflected as a rolling and collapsing of the foot inwards (pronation) or a rolling of the foot outwards (supination). As pronation or supination occur on a bicycle, your power is absorbed by the foot’s side-to-side motion instead of going directly to the pedal. Furthermore, especially in the case of over-pronation (the most common problem), you also place significant strain on the tendons, ligaments and joints of the entire body as they fight to hold you in alignment without proper support (yes, your feet can effect your shoulders…). Most people over-pronate or supinate (a 1988 study in The Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy showed the number at 95%). Luckily, technology has provided us with supportive devices in the form of custom footbeds and cant wedges.

HOW TO GET THE BEST FOOT SUPPORT:

The foot consists of three separate, but related, zones: the heel, the arch and the forefoot. The ball of the foot acts as a hinge, connecting the arch and heal with the forefoot. This hinge is great for helping us flex and push off during walking and running, but it also allows the foot to twist, which can throw off alignment and strength, while cycling. The goal is to stabilize and align all three elements with the skeletal system.

Custom Cycling Footbed Service

We were one of the very first locations in the country offering this important service and now offer over 15 years of experience fabricating custom footbeds for rigid footwear. Foot stability is the foundation every good fit is built upon. Custom cycling footbeds help align your body, while evenly distributing pressure and supporting your foot. Notable power increases are common, along with increased comfort, endurance and reduced joint wear.

Available in our Vermont and NJ locations (MA locations offer semi-custom and over the counter), this service takes 1-2 hours (rider only needs to be present for 20 minutes). $250

Pedal/Cleat Adjustment and Cant Alignment Service

Included in our fittings, but also available as a separate service, A Pedal/Cleat Alignment includes a biomechanical analysis of your feet and legs using tools like the R.A.D. (Rotational Alignment Device) and computerized motion capture analysis of your leg alignment. Your feet and legs will be aligned properly to guarantee that your joints and muscles are powerful and safe while pedaling.

This service takes 45 minutes – 1 hour. $100 (price does not include any canting or shim materials).

Cant Wedges

Cant Wedges fit between the cleat and the shoe and can also help improve alignment and tracking. However, unlike the comprehensive nature of a footbed, cant wedges address forefoot alignment only. We sometimes use cant wedges on their own, but often we use them in conjunction with custom footbeds so that the whole foot is supported, not just the forefoot. $25-$60.

Get more power and comfort from your shoes now!