I just got Sidi Zetas and Shimano Ultegra pedals after riding with Sidi MTB shoes for 550 miles. I have been trying to adjust the cleats but still can't get the comfort level provided by my MTB setup. After about 10 miles today, the ball of my left foot started getting sore on the outside. I could do 35 miles on my MTB shoes/pedals setup with no problems(after that there would be soreness).
I'm just trying to figure out if the problem is my cleat placement or if the shoes are just too stiff on top from being new(obviously they will always be stiffer on bottom)... I'm thinking of trying to angle my toe out a little with a cleat adjustment...
I bought the same size Sidi shoes and tried to copy the for-aft position from my MTB cleats.
it's probably a combo of both to be honest...i think ALL shoes need to be broken in, and then the cleat positioning needs to be adjusted accordingly. I've moved my new cleats around at least a dozen times in the last week because i bought new Shimano road shoes/pedals.
i broke in my new road shoes during a century this morning...now my feet hurt and are on fire, go figure haha
trying to copy the for/aft position from mtb to road pedals/cleats isnt efficient because your weight is more spread out on a road pedal and the location of the largest pressure point isnt identical. Close, but enough to give you some sore feet
Ball of the foot getting sore on one side sounds like the cleats have your foot at the wrong angle so you are attempting to roll your foot outward to compensate. I think it means you need to angle the toe out.
I've never noticed a "break in" period for road shoes since the wood and leather soled Dettos I got in 1985.
Since your Shimano shoes are likely all synthetic materials, just what is it you think is breaking in? If you have leather, then you will get some changes. Synthetic materials don't lengthen, soften, mold, or change in any meaningful way. Your feet may be adjusting to the shoes, but the shoes aren't adjusting to your feet.
Road shoes, when the cleats are properly adjusted, should be very comfy from the very 1st day. It might be that the shoes don't fit you well - maybe too narrow? If you have room in them, and you should have a little, you might try some Spenco, or even Dr. Scholls gel inserts. If you don't have room for inserts, IMO your shoes fit too tightly. Lycra clothes should fit like skin. Shoes shouldn't.
It takes less than a minute to loosen the cleat bolts, move the cleat to where you think you want it, and tighten back up. Only you can tell when things are right, so it is somewhat pointless to have the shop do it unless they are REALLY expert at this. Few shops are. Just be sure to mark your shoe sole with the current cleat position so you can get back to it if needed. You have to move the cleat, ride some, and repeat until you have it where you like it.
Generally I've found that shoes should feel comfortable from the start with very little break-in period. Carbon shoes do feel a little stiff and your feet might need awhile to adjust to them (a couple of days). I won't change brand of shoes unless I try them on first. Brands will fluctuate in sizing and might vary from up or down a size to a half size.
As for the cleat placement, try moving the cleat back (move the cleat toward the front of the shoe). This will put the ball of your foot in front of the pedal axis. Although it might take a couple of weeks for your legs to adjust to the new position. If you have a brand new pedal and cleat system then you will have to take some time to dial everything in. If the shoes are uncomfortable, maybe they are the wrong size. I have both my cleats centered in the same place, but some riders have a slightly different position for each shoe. Remember just a slight change might be all you need (mm's).
I ride with my cleats centered over the ball of my foot. I have less problems that way. That is probably the best way to start out. Neutral position.
I just got Sidi Zetas and Shimano Ultegra pedals after riding with Sidi MTB shoes for 550 miles. I have been trying to adjust the cleats but still can't get the comfort level provided by my MTB setup. After about 10 miles today, the ball of my left foot started getting sore on the outside. I could do 35 miles on my MTB shoes/pedals setup with no problems(after that there would be soreness).
I'm just trying to figure out if the problem is my cleat placement or if the shoes are just too stiff on top from being new(obviously they will always be stiffer on bottom)... I'm thinking of trying to angle my toe out a little with a cleat adjustment...
I bought the same size Sidi shoes and tried to copy the for-aft position from my MTB cleats.
I had this same problem when I got a new pair of cycling shoes (went from Specialized shoe to SIDI shoe). I starting looking on line and found the LeMonde Wedge. I put a couple of them in and it fixed the "not flat feeling" on the pedal. It didn't take much -- only one wedge on one foot and two on the other. Very slight change in angle -- I was surprised what a difference it made. Go here:
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