Recently thought I'd give SPDs another go after possibly a decade away. Got some Lake MX241 wide and some PD-520 for the gravel bike.
I'm used to riding with a more midfoot position on flats so I've pushed the cleats as far back as they go and dropped in a set of superfeet insoles.
After an hour, I'm starting to feel some discomfort along the outside edge of both feet. I've had a few thoughts but I'm looking for some discussion as to what order to consider the following.
1. Stance width - does the Q factor of a road chainset make a big difference?
2. Insole - something more supportive than superfeet, maybe a G8?
3. Wedging - either in the shoe or under the cleat?
4. Sick it up and see if I get used to it with more riding?
I certainly wouldn't do '4'. It could be something as simple as how tight you have your shoes fastened. Experiment with the lower BOA, using the upper to take up the 'slack'?
I was going to say you need stiffer shoes, but they are.
Maybe you've ladies* feet?
* - you need to have watched Blackadder
Sounds like your wide shoes aren’t wide enough.
I'm going to guess that someone coming from an extensive flats experience would benefit from a slight different type of clipless shoe and pedal. As in, shoe with broader last and softer structure and more "new-school" cleat channel, and also a pedal with more support.
The Lake is the widest clipless shoes I could find and also the most comfortable without actually cycling in it.
I might benefit from longer cleat slots but I'm already behind the 5th MTP. There does seem to be a growing belief that bofops is a flawed idea forthe vast majority of riders.
I'm sticking with flats on the MTB, these are just for the higher mileage on the gravel bike.
The cleats where they are also means I'm looking for a 54ish gravel frame with a min 640mm front centre to avoid toe overlap. Not a problem on a road bike but it has been an issue in some of the stuff I try climbing 9n it.
I'm dabbling with flats after 25 years on clips but my 2p on clip shoes and pedals...
Proper Mountain bike clip shoes and pedals rather Road shoes with a bit of a tread and tiny weeny pedals makes a huge difference.
I have the latter for the gravel bike and they feel horrid on MTB now.
On the MTB I used Shimano AM9 shoes and Saint Clip pedals which worked amazingly. The foot position with the cleat pushed back feels like the "ball of foot in front of axle" position you use on flats.
I think Crankbrothers and Fiveten clip shoes have a similar extended cleat slot.
The shoes might take several rides to loosen up a bit. Mine hurt along the outside of each foot until the material gives a bit.
I get the same with all shoes. Except Sketchers, but they don't make MTB shoes. Yet.
You could try these Giro footbeds which have tweak able arch support. I changed from a body geometry shoe to a shimano, and was getting some discomfort. I've found using the less supportive inserts has helped with side foot discomfort - some back and forth to get it right. Haven't had any issues w knee pain with the changes, but guess you should keep an eye on that too.
https://www.biketart.com/clothing-c7/shoes-c51/giro-x-static-supernatural-footbed-fit-kit-p46351
Just speculating, but as you mentioned, could you be pushing your feet outwards duo to the narrower Q-factor? If you are used to a wider stance your feet are trying to be where they've used to be when pedaling and the outboard edges getting too much pressure on them. Never had this happen to me, but the explanation sounds like it could be sensible from a mechanical standpoint.
I did wonder if I might be able to throw an mtb chainset on the gravel bike to test that.
I did try some 530 pedals for an off road bimble earlier in the week. Longer ride and no noticeable discomfort but it's very different riding situation so I'm not sure I can take that as conclusive proof of anything.
Ironically, I have a similar problem when riding flat pedals. All my weight sits on the outside edge of the pedals and my toes go numb...
Are you a 'heels in' kind of rider? When clipped in, are you cleats set so that your heels can brush the cranks? I've found that in road shoes/pedals particularly, my wonky knees don't like being constrained, so to stop my knees rubbing the top tube, I angle my feet out - and all the weight sides on the outside edge. I now religiously use Spesh BG Varus wedges in all my shoes and I find that they really help.
