High speed foot pain, what can I do?

[TantasStarke]

I've been riding EUC since late August of 2021, started on an 18XL and now I ride a Nikola AR+. I've got a little over 3000 miles between the 2. Riding at higher speeds leads to a lot of foot pain mostly around the balls of my feet, and sometimes the arches. I can go about 7-10 miles at around 35mph before I gotta get off for a minute or two because of foot pain, but if I ride slower it isn't as bad. I've tried 2 different shoes, my daily driver Nike SB Charge's and I tried some Vans Skate Sk8-Hi shoes and had pretty similar results. I'm thinking about picking up some FP Insoles as a lot of skaters and eskaters adore them for reducing the impacts you feel.

I understand foot pain is normal, but is the distance I can go before feeling it normal? I can ride 7-12 miles @35mph before needing a short break. It doesn't stop me from riding 30+ miles a day, it just gets to be real painful at times without a nice break.

How much does a bigger wheel matter? I ride a 16" Nikola AR+ and an 18" 18XL. Can anyone with a Nikola+ and a larger 20-24" wheel confirm what kind of difference it makes for you at the same speeds? I really want to do long distance touring at some point but as it's standing now with my Nik+ I don't know if I can physically do it even if I learn to ride seated.

Anyone try anything like FP Insoles or something similar, and how did it help out for you? I've tried a few pairs of shoes and haven't noticed much of a difference, but I'm hopeful that replacing the insoles will help.

Do you think changing my pedal tilt/riding mode will help? I currently ride with a slightly forward tilt on my Nikola+ and I ride in soft mode, but I'd be open to a more straight tilt or medium/hard mode if it would help.

Any and all advice would be appreciated

[.....]

29 minutes ago, TantasStarke said:

I've been riding EUC since late August of 2021, started on an 18XL and now I ride a Nikola AR+. I've got a little over 3000 miles between the 2. Riding at higher speeds leads to a lot of foot pain mostly around the balls of my feet, and sometimes the arches. I can go about 7-10 miles at around 35mph before I gotta get off for a minute or two because of foot pain, but if I ride slower it isn't as bad. I've tried 2 different shoes, my daily driver Nike SB Charge's and I tried some Vans Skate Sk8-Hi shoes and had pretty similar results. I'm thinking about picking up some FP Insoles as a lot of skaters and eskaters adore them for reducing the impacts you feel.

I understand foot pain is normal, but is the distance I can go before feeling it normal? I can ride 7-12 miles @35mph before needing a short break. It doesn't stop me from riding 30+ miles a day, it just gets to be real painful at times without a nice break.

How much does a bigger wheel matter? I ride a 16" Nikola AR+ and an 18" 18XL. Can anyone with a Nikola+ and a larger 20-24" wheel confirm what kind of difference it makes for you at the same speeds? I really want to do long distance touring at some point but as it's standing now with my Nik+ I don't know if I can physically do it even if I learn to ride seated.

Anyone try anything like FP Insoles or something similar, and how did it help out for you? I've tried a few pairs of shoes and haven't noticed much of a difference, but I'm hopeful that replacing the insoles will help.

Do you think changing my pedal tilt/riding mode will help? I currently ride with a slightly forward tilt on my Nikola+ and I ride in soft mode, but I'd be open to a more straight tilt or medium/hard mode if it would help.

Any and all advice would be appreciated

It sounds like you are simply experiencing foot fatigue. It makes sense that it would be mostly on the balls of the feet, as thats where the majority of pressure stays. I have found that big flat pedals on the 18XL, to be some of the most comofortable. Its also no surprise you ache faster as you go faster. The more speed you try to maintain, the more you stay on the fronts of the pedals. The length of your ride, sounds about the same as mine, when I start to show a little foot fatigue. Of course, this is AFTER I've warmed up for a few weeks into the season. I dont think the size of the wheel is quite as much an influence as you would think. True, my mten wears me out fast, but thats to be expected with a little tiny buzzy wheel. As far as my 18xl goes, I found medium mode is also a little nicer on the joints than hard mode. Regardless, there's nothing wrong with taking a short break now and then. As the season wears on, perhaps the breaks will be less needed. Fwiw, my 18xl is my most comfortable wheel for medium range and speed rides. Its stock pedals and pedal angle is the best I've ridden for comfort.

Here's what I would suggest.

1)try to set the tilt on the wheel back by a degree or two. It may or may not help, but its quick, easy and free. Theory is that maybe you can maintain a set speed with just a slight reduction in need for forward lean. It also keeps you on the pedals during bumps. Perhaps 'soft' on the Nik, is simply allowing you to place extra weight on the front, and medium/hard and/or angle could help. Worth a shot. Just beware, neg tilt does mess with braking, youll need get used to that.

2)Move around on your foot plates and stand in odd foooting angles from time to time. Itll stretch you and give pressure areas a break.

3)Try a set of power pads(ShanesPads V2SE ftw!)  if you arent already using them. Pads can give me a place to lean against and alleviate pressure on the balls of the feet.

4)Get some flat soled shoes and pick a nice insert for them. Flat shoes tend to have less pressure points due to tread, and are more easily moved around on pedals. I had a set of jogging shoes with excessive sole lugs. It made for an uneven ride, sketchy micromangment of foot placement, and incredible arch pain.

5)Ride backwards everywhere, as your heels will take more of the weight than the balls of your feet..

For overall comfort on long rides, I dare say the sherman(larger wheels) wins. I have Nylonove pedals that help, but I think its more the solidity of the entire package. It weighs a lot and rides as such. Less bumps overall and it translates into more distance for a given worn body. I went on a ride or two with a friend who had a Nik AR+ (vid on my channel of it). Like most gotways, it did take quite a bit of continual lean to stay moving 30mph. I dare say, my sherman was being much nicer to me for the same ride speed and distances. Bigger wheels tend to ride more  smoothly overall. The pedals may or not be more comfy, but the overall package seems to aid in that by matter of proximity.

 

 

Edited March 6, 2022 by ShanesPlanet

[TantasStarke]

9 minutes ago, ShanesPlanet said:

It sounds like you are simply experiencing foot fatigue. It makes sense that it would be mostly on the balls of the feet, as thats where the majority of pressure stays. I have found that big flat pedals on the 18XL, to be some of the most comofortable. Its also no surprise you ache faster as you go faster. The more speed you try to maintain, the more you stay on the fronts of the pedals. The length of your ride, sounds about the same as mine, when I start to show a little foot fatigue. Of course, this is AFTER I've warmed up for a few weeks into the season. I dont think the size of the wheel is quite as much an influence as you would think. True, my mten wears me out fast, but thats to be expected with a little tiny buzzy wheel. As far as my 18xl goes, I found medium mode is also a little nicer on the joints than hard mode. Regardless, there's nothing wrong with taking a short break now and then. As the season wears on, perhaps the breaks will be less needed. Fwiw, my 18xl is my most comfortable wheel and its stock pedals and pedal angle is the best I've ridden for comfort.

Here's what I would suggest.

1)try to set the tilt on the wheel back by a degree or two. It may or may not help, but its quick, easy and free.

2)Move around on your foot plates and stand in odd foooting angles from time to time. Itll stretch you and give pressure areas a break.

3)Try a set of power pads(ShanesPads ftw!)  if you arent already using them. Pads can give me a place to lean against and alleviate pressure on the balls of the feet.

4)Get some flat soled shoes and pick a nice insert for them. Flat shoes tend to have less pressure points due to tread, and are more easily moved around on pedals.

5)Ride backwards everywhere, as your heels will take more of the weight than the balls of your feet..

 

 

Glad to hear the amount of foot fatigue I'm feeling isn't abnormal.

I'll try setting the tilt back some more, I have a pretty aggressive front tilt since re-calibrating my wheel. Do you think riding my Nik+ in soft mode would make it worse? It makes the pedals dip forward and backwards when accelerating and braking. Might be better to just go back to medium or hard mode and have perfectly horizontal pedals?

I do roll my feet around once they start to feel uncomfortable, usually helps me go a bit farther but a break is definitely still needed.

I currently use the stock begode powerpads and have felt really comfortable with them once I got a good placement, in the future I might look into some aftermarket pads.

I wear Nike SB Charge which are flat soled shoes, but the soles are soft, which probably don't help. I tried Vans Skate SK8-Hi which have a thick, hard, flat sole but it didn't really make a difference, but I didn't really like the Vans overall. Definitely gonna try some FP Insoles, if they don't work I'm out $30 and can probably re-sell them to a local skater.

I'll finally have to learn how to ride backwards and start barreling down the street like that lol

[Bizra6ot]

large pedals like the begode honeycomb 11 inch + seated riding for even just a few seconds every xx miles really helps eliminate foot fatigue

Edited March 6, 2022 by Bizra6ot

[.....]

Fowards tilt AND soft mode, probably has you basically standing on your toes during any kind of excell. I'd definitely try some modes and tilt first. I couldnt fathom a forward tilt, as it would REALY weight me up the front and any bumps at speed would slip my feet forwards.

I dont know begodes pads. If they are wide enough you can really lean into them and give the feet a break, they are probably fine . YOu know, cuz leverage can mitigate weight (not reccomended for newbie). Of course its simple fact that my pads are the most bestust pads and are made of magical material that makes you feel better and ride better. Fits the Sherm, 18xl and nik too.

IN all serisousness tho. Try setting that tilt and mode first. Nothing better than easy and free. Your tilt settings will mess with where the pads seem to be mounted, but its kind of a nice thing too. Iirc, foot fatigue kicks my butt for the first month of riding each year. I ride in lightweight flat soled shoes fwiw. My current shoe soles are so soft, my nylonove spikes are eating them for lunch. COMfy as hell tho. COmbined with low tire pressure, my knees dont mind it atall.

Edited March 6, 2022 by ShanesPlanet

[TantasStarke]

1 minute ago, ShanesPlanet said:

Fowards tilt AND soft mode, probably has you basically standing on your toes during any kind of excell. I'd definitely try some modes and tilt first. I couldnt fathom a forward tilt, as it would REALY weight me up the front and any bumps at speed would slip my feet forwards.

I dont know begodes pads. If they are wide enough you can really lean into them and give the feet a break, they are probably fine . YOu know, cuz leverage can mitigate weight (not reccomended for newbie).

I use these pads with the longer side in front (apparently people say that's backwards but that's how I like it, and I get plenty of braking even with the small side in the back. Yeah it's a pretty aggressive front tilt but I noticed pretty similar results when I had a more level tilt (still in soft mode though) I also use the stock nikola pedals, they seem to be a similar size to the 18XL pedals. I haven't measured them so I could be way off base but the pedals themselves feel like a good size

 

[TantasStarke]

Just went for a night ride my feet are in a little bit of pain, but after about a minute they're starting to feel a bit better. I switched to medium mode and just rode through the city. Definitely a few bumps along the way, I don't exactly have the greatest roads, but I got about 8 Miles and I need like a 1 to 2 minute break at the least. Although it says I averaged 23 mph I was riding mostly around 30 to 35. I can definitely feel all the bumps in the road on this tire going 30 35 miles an hour. I have my PSI at 40 and I weigh 280 lbs

[.....]

17 minutes ago, TantasStarke said:

Just went for a night ride my feet are in a little bit of pain, but after about a minute they're starting to feel a bit better. I switched to medium mode and just rode through the city. Definitely a few bumps along the way, I don't exactly have the greatest roads, but I got about 8 Miles and I need like a 1 to 2 minute break at the least. Although it says I averaged 23 mph I was riding mostly around 30 to 35. I can definitely feel all the bumps in the road on this tire going 30 35 miles an hour. I have my PSI at 40 and I weigh 280 lbs

Oompf, you be a big guy. Just imagine the stresses of your weight, when being micromanaged to certain spots on a 'little' pedal. If you have a large shoe size, perhaps some HUGE pedals will help As @Bizra6ot mentioned. Just don't push yourself too hard and enjoy the wheel. 30mph is quite a bit of wind to lean against for a big fella. Isnt 37mph cuttin it pretty close on the Nik+ at 280lbs? Be mindful of alarms on your wheel and specially eucw. The amount of weight shift you are capable of, is probably amazing. I suspect 'soft' mode is pretty damn soft to you.  I feel you will be moving to a much larger wheel someday. I bet that wider tire on the Nik helps you a lot.  Yeah, you def need keep that tire pressure up a bit more than my scrawny 130lb a*s does. A person your size.. I can only imagine the 18XL and Nik being seemingly small. Totally doable and fun, but you on a nik, is like me on an mten.... Man, I'd love to see a vid of you riding seated on an mten(NOT mine).

Edited March 6, 2022 by ShanesPlanet

[TantasStarke]

32 minutes ago, ShanesPlanet said:

Oompf, you be a big guy. Just imagine the stresses of your weight, when being micromanaged to certain spots on a 'little' pedal. If you have a large shoe size, perhaps some HUGE pedals will help As @Bizra6ot mentioned. Just don't push yourself too hard and enjoy the wheel. 30mph is quite a bit of wind to lean against for a big fella. Isnt 37mph cuttin it pretty close on the Nik+ at 280lbs? Be mindful of alarms on your wheel and specially eucw. The amount of weight shift you are capable of, is probably amazing. I suspect 'soft' mode is pretty damn soft to you.  I feel you will be moving to a much larger wheel someday. I bet that wider tire on the Nik helps you a lot.  Yeah, you def need keep that tire pressure up a bit more than my scrawny 130lb a*s does. A person your size.. I can only imagine the 18XL and Nik being seemingly small. Totally doable and fun, but you on a nik, is like me on an mten.... Man, I'd love to see a vid of you riding seated on an mten(NOT mine).

I wear a size 11. This is all blubber. Used to weigh 400 but my love of PEV's has had me losing weight. I'm gonna stick with medium I think. I tried all 3 and while I love accelerating in hard mode I like the wheel leaning back when I brake, I think it improves my braking power but it could be psychological, one of these late nights when the road is empty I'll do some some braking tests and see. I always respect the beeps, and at a full charge it doesn't beep until 41-42mph. I have EUC world vibrate my watch when the alarms go off so I always know when they come, and I set current alarms so I don't accelerate too hard off the line. 3000+ miles total on EUC and never had a cutout. Went nearly 19 miles tonight. 50 minutes of riding time, and my average cruising was 30-35. I gotta go and get some wood cut and mount a seat to my Nik+ and learn to do that. I also plan on either getting a Begode Master or a Sherman Max at some point, but that's for the future. I think I'm gonna try some new insoles as well in the next few weeks, and keep putting in training miles where I try and ride through the pain as much as possible

[The Brahan Seer]

Lowering the pressure of your tire will help with foot fatigue just be mindful of the trade off re rim vulnerability.  

[alcatraz]

Get huge pedals. Preferably those that have the adjustable angle. That way you can dial them in. There's always a balance between feeling locked in and comfort.