I’ve been riding for 3 years and always used SPD’s. I’m having toe pain that I can’t sort out, but there’s a big gravel event in just over a week (64 miles). I can’t do it with my current SPD set up. Last Saturday I got 60 miles or so through a 112 mile ride when the toe pain started, and I had to …

Hot spot? That might be because the cleat bolts are too long maybe? Otherwise hotspots are from the sole being too flimsy at the cleat. Boas - these allow you to way over tighten and focus that tightness on a very small spot. Try it with just the boas lightly tensioned. The ankle one should keep y…

I’ve been riding flat pedals exclusively for at least 5 years now after a good 20yrs on clipless. While I’m primarily a mountain biker I do a lot of road and gravel as well. My reasons were mostly for bike handling - I realized spd’s had introduced a lot of bad habits for me as they let you get aw…

What SPD pedals are you using? Before I went SPD-SL’s I did 100s of miles with SPD’s and a touring pedals ( PD-A600 (shimano.com) ). The pedals were light and had a decent cage. They are single sided though so I’ve went recently with double sided Richie Comp Trail pedals for my gravel bike ( Ritch…

[image] HLaB: Edit the only problem I find with flats is when you stop if you push off with one dominant foot the pedals may not be in the position to do so, its easy to raise that pedal/foot with SPD’s and the like (I’m hesitant to call them clipless :joy:) With FiveTen shoes and studded fla…

I’ve been using Shimano XT M8120…I figured the bigger cage would give a boarder platform when riding. I’m not sure how much these actually help compared to regular SPD’s. Shimano PD-M8120 XT SPD Trail Pedals | REI Co-op With a wide, supportive design and easy step-in, the Shimano PD-M8…

Something with a cage can help to disperse the load, as oppose to plain spuds which definitely won’t help. But you are using something like that already so that’s not the issue, maybe its over tightened boas which someone says. They maybe don’t feel tight at first but after your foot starts to swell…

Lol, that reminds me of another issue but it more user error. The last time I had hired a mtb with spiked pedals. I got round without whacking my shins. Great I thought, then someone pointed out my calves were bleeding a fair bit. I hadn’t once whacked my shins and my calves weren’t bruised or sore …

I have been running SpeedPlay pedals on my gravel bike. They are still easy to walk in for the hike-a-bike sections are comfortable for longer rides. I also found a sole insert for shoe helps as well.

I don’t think trying flat pedals is going to hurt you at all, but have you considered just getting some new SPD shoes?

This is the challenge!! I’m a 48 or 49 (technically 49 D per a Brannock device) and the 49 Giros cause the massive pain. My Fiziks were slight wider it seems but just too short at a 48. I’ve ordered 8-10 pairs online and many seem OK just walking around the house, but I won’t know of they cause pain…

Flat pedals for longer gravel rides?

Equipment

TooManyDogs August 25, 2022, 2:07pm 34

I have not spoken to a podiatrist yet. I guess I’ll try some other things first and see how that goes

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Flat pedals for longer gravel rides?

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