Kevin’s Sophomoric Post
The second installment of Kevin’s Rants and Raves starts with the Foot & Shoe partnership. This will be the Rave section. The Rant section is going to be on the current overall Fitting scene.
So why don’t we start all puppy dogs and ice cream and then take the conversation into the gutter.
IT ALL BEGINS WITH THE FOOT
This is a mantra that a certain fitting program preaches. Although I do not believe in everything that this school teaches, I unequivocally believe this statement to be true. This is where I am going to focus on the Foot & Shoe partnership.
What is more important? The size and shape of the shoe or having the proper insole. The answer would be all of the above.
Yes, the right length, width, and shape of the shoe is of paramount importance. However, most people focus on this, and do not give much thought to the insole. In my opinion that is like buying an extremely expensive European race car and not thinking about what engine it comes with. Would you buy a Porsche 911 with a 4-cylinder engine? Would a Yugo be faster with a V8??? I know, deep freaking thoughts.
Although, I will focus on the performance aspect of the insole here, I will also tell you that insoles also greatly benefit almost everyone when it comes to comfort and injury prevention. It can help mitigate alignment issues and help eliminate hot spots not to mention numb and tingling sensations. But let us focus on the performance aspect.
Think, if you will, of your arch needed to be cradled in its entirety. I am speaking of the length and width of the insole. If there is even a slightest gap, or uneven distribution, there will be power transfer loss. What happen if there is a gap between your insole and foot bed of your shoe. That gap has to close, and it has to close in relation to your cadence. Let us say that your cadence is 80 RPM. Your foot has to waste energy, where no power is being transferred, 80 times per minute. This equates to 4,800 per hour, per foot!!!!
There are basically four types of insoles. The insole that comes with a new pair of cycling shoes which is only really good for helping add to a landfill. There are “over the counter” insoles which can work very well such as Superfeet, Ergon, etc. There are “semi-custom” insoles such as G8 and then there are custom orthotics as well.
In my opinion, if you have a consistent insole with no variances, then an “over the counter” insole should work fine.
However, if you have any discrepancies such as a foot longer than the other, or your arches are of different lengths or widths or heights, then you should consider “semi-custom”, or in certain circumstances a complete “custom orthotic” made by a pediatrist or sports medicine doctor.
I prefer “semi-custom” as I believe in the school of thought that your arch can change over time depending on a number or variables including but no limited to: load bearing while off of bike, weight changes, hydration changes, swelling, injury, etc.
Insoles can also help with the alignment stage of the fitting process. It can help align your knees, your hip flexors, and address pronation and supination issues.
Bedlam currently carries five models of insoles. We sell two options from G8, and three from Superfeet. G8 being offering “semi-custom”, and “over the counter”, and Superfeet offering “over the counter.” In all fairness, I believe that Specialized also offers very good “over the counter” insoles.
Okay, please pause while Kevin “Archers” up. AKA, Kevin grabs an adult beverage and plays with Elsie.
I am back sorry for the delay.
RANT
Today’s rant is going to focus very quickly on what I do not like about some fitting concepts and offerings out there.
Can you fit someone in two hours? NO
The consultation and measurement portion of the fit takes a minimum of an hour. I spend at least on hour on the foot. In two hours, you have not even sat on your bike yet.
Can you fit someone in just one day? YES, they can. However, there is also chance that you can fall out of an airplane and live.
When you go in for a one day fit you are fit to how your body is that day. Did you do an FTP workout the day before, or did you drink beers while kareoking with Alexa. Did you sleep well or poorly. Where was your mindset? I could go on and on.
Can you fit someone just using a scientific approach? NO
THE BEST FIT is a correlation between Science, Critical Thinking, and Common Sense.
Can you fit someone just using common sense? KIND of?
See above.
Can you fit someone just using a computer, wires, and electrodes. YES, but there is also a chance you can swim in a pool with a Great White Shark and survive to tell the story over a beer.
In my opinion, a computer can tell you about your ideal position for performance basically. But how good is being the Local Hero if you are in traction half of the year? If YOU are not comfortable on the bike, how long will you ride, how long will you ride strong, how long will you ride happy????
There will be a “War & Peace” length Rant and Rave regarding fitting overall coming soon but that is all for now.
