Foot size and cycling

cdaleguy said:

We've all seen how some bike fitters take foot size in to consideration, while getting a proper bike fit. My question is what does foot size have to do with being fitted? Also, does foot size have an affect on one's cycling ability?

I look forward to responses.

Well the first thing that comes to my mind is clearance with the front tire and chainstays (I have problems with both on my Mtn. Bike with size 48 feet).

Something else that I don't claim to be an expert on could be crank length. I have a reletively long inseam and really noticed a big difference in my cycling ability when I went to 180mm cranks. Recently when I was building a new bike I looked into the crank length conundrum again (thinking maybe longer would be even better). In addition to all the common stuff about inseam ratios, etc. I stumbled upon something (I think it was at www.analyticcycling.com) that showed the effects of foot size, and how longer feet tended to balance out the effect of having longer femurs (and therefore the inseam ratios were meaningless without taking into account all the lengths of each joint from the hip to the toes). I doubt foot size by itself has any effect on ones cycling ability. I too would be interested in other possible reasons a bike builder would need to take into account foot size (in addition to front wheel, chain-stay, and crank length).

I'm a 48 too so I know all about big feet.

To get your foot in the right position over the pedal can be a bit tricky, and may involve moving the seat etc depending on how strange your proportions are.

cdaleguy said:

My question is what does foot size have to do with being fitted?

Having a larger foot effectively increases your reach to the pedals. Therefore, two people who were otherwise the same but with differing foot lengths would have slightly different saddle heights. Although the angle of the ankle joint changes a little as it completes a pedal revolution, it is typically at an angle of 13 degress above horizontal when the pedal is at 6 o'clock - or slightly toes down. Thus, a longer foot increases the height of the ankle joint above the pedal's axis of rotation. A smaller foot, of course, has the reverse effect. Cleat placement is also effected by foot size.

MAN, THESE GUYS ARE GOOD! Assuming two people are of exact equal riding ability, exact same height, limb length...etc..., would a differing foot size benefit or hinder or do nothing?

Smartt/RST said:

Having a larger foot effectively increases your reach to the pedals. Therefore, two people who were otherwise the same but with differing foot lengths would have slightly different saddle heights. Although the angle of the ankle joint changes a little as it completes a pedal revolution, it is typically at an angle of 13 degress above horizontal when the pedal is at 6 o'clock - or slightly toes down. Thus, a longer foot increases the height of the ankle joint above the pedal's axis of rotation. A smaller foot, of course, has the reverse effect. Cleat placement is also effected by foot size.

Smartt/RST said:

Having a larger foot effectively increases your reach to the pedals. Therefore, two people who were otherwise the same but with differing foot lengths would have slightly different saddle heights. Although the angle of the ankle joint changes a little as it completes a pedal revolution, it is typically at an angle of 13 degress above horizontal when the pedal is at 6 o'clock - or slightly toes down. Thus, a longer foot increases the height of the ankle joint above the pedal's axis of rotation. A smaller foot, of course, has the reverse effect. Cleat placement is also effected by foot size.

Have you noticed if foot size has anything to do with "toe pedaling"? I too am a sized 48 (US 12.5 - 13). I know that I toe pedal and have been trying to correct myself to more of a flat foot pedal stroke. I don't know if foot size relates, but since we're on the topic I thougt I'd check. I definetely agree that cleat postion is trickier when your foot's the size of a ski🙂. Any suggestions or drills on how to break the toe pedal habit? Thanks...

OCRoadie said:

Have you noticed if foot size has anything to do with "toe pedaling"? I too am a sized 48 (US 12.5 - 13). I know that I toe pedal and have been trying to correct myself to more of a flat foot pedal stroke. I don't know if foot size relates, but since we're on the topic I thougt I'd check. I definetely agree that cleat postion is trickier when your foot's the size of a ski🙂. Any suggestions or drills on how to break the toe pedal habit? Thanks...

What do you mean by toe pedaling? Do you mean you lift your ankle?

OCRoadie said:

Have you noticed if foot size has anything to do with "toe pedaling"? ..... I definetely agree that cleat postion is trickier when your foot's the size of a ski🙂. Any suggestions or drills on how to break the toe pedal habit? Thanks...

To your first question: no. Beyond the habits of an individual, toe or ankle pedaling usually has something to do with the position of the saddle. If the saddle is too high, there is a tendency to toe pedal as one reaches a bit at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Conversely, a cyclist will often drop their heels at the bottom of the pedal stroke in an effort to extend the upper leg to get more power.
I'm not much for drills that do not effectively mimic the pedaling characteristics and speeds of normal cycling. Aside from making sure you are not sitting too high, perhaps calf flexibility has something to do with it....
As far as cleat position goes, larger feet require the cleat to be positioned further towards the heel; as a general rule of thumb.
To be fair, I should note that some (successful) bike fitters feel like the height of the saddle should be adjusted to allow the cyclist to toe or ankle pedal, arguring that this is the cyclist's natural tendency and thus the fit should reflect this. I do not share this point of view because I am more concerned with biomechanics, proper joint angles, muscle length tension issues, etc.

Smartt/RST said:

To your first question: no. Beyond the habits of an individual, toe or ankle pedaling usually has something to do with the position of the saddle. If the saddle is too high, there is a tendency to toe pedal as one reaches a bit at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Conversely, a cyclist will often drop their heels at the bottom of the pedal stroke in an effort to extend the upper leg to get more power.
I'm not much for drills that do not effectively mimic the pedaling characteristics and speeds of normal cycling. Aside from making sure you are not sitting too high, perhaps calf flexibility has something to do with it....
As far as cleat position goes, larger feet require the cleat to be positioned further towards the heel; as a general rule of thumb.
To be fair, I should note that some (successful) bike fitters feel like the height of the saddle should be adjusted to allow the cyclist to toe or ankle pedal, arguring that this is the cyclist's natural tendency and thus the fit should reflect this. I do not share this point of view because I am more concerned with biomechanics, proper joint angles, muscle length tension issues, etc.

Maybe I'll try positioning my cleats a little more towards the heel and see what happens. I am pretty sure saddle height is not too high. I think the toe pedal is just a bad habit that's hard to break. The only reason I'd like to adjust my pedal stroke is I feel I'm using too much calf and not enough hamstring. I'll continue to make a conscious effort to not toe pedal and hopefully it will come naturally some day. What do you recomend as a reasonable ankle joint angle?

wilmar13 said:

What do you mean by toe pedaling? Do you mean you lift your ankle?

My toes are consistently pointed down (my ankle is above my toes) throughout my pedal stroke.

OCRoadie said:

Maybe I'll try positioning my cleats a little more towards the heel and see what happens. I am pretty sure saddle height is not too high. I think the toe pedal is just a bad habit that's hard to break. The only reason I'd like to adjust my pedal stroke is I feel I'm using too much calf and not enough hamstring. I'll continue to make a conscious effort to not toe pedal and hopefully it will come naturally some day. What do you recomend as a reasonable ankle joint angle?

Look no further than a few posts earlier....😉

Smartt/RST said:

Look no further than a few posts earlier....😉

Ah, I always find it easier to ask first, look later😉Thanks...

Smartt/RST said:

Conversely, a cyclist will often drop their heels at the bottom of the pedal stroke in an effort to extend the upper leg to get more power.

I, too, am a 48 and find I do the dropping my heel thing described above often. Is this poor form? Should I try raising my seat higher so this becomes an impossibility? Anyone know a COMPETENT bike fitter in Indiana that can take foot size into account? Thank you.