leeanders
Member
Many riders, I guess, really like heal and toe shifters. Most bikes have them. For me, I’ve never cared for them, and have always either taken them off – or cut them off.
Perhaps it was a matter of ‘lack of coordination’, or maybe just old habits being hard to change, but for me second gear up through however many I had, was the sole function of my left ‘great toe’ and its ability to move up and down, without even thinking.
Recently, however, with great age, things happen one may not necessarily expect to happen, when riding. The ‘great toe’ of my left (shifter) foot began hurting when I went riding. It hurt to push the gear lever up. So, what did I do, I went to a local shoe store and had a double layer of leather sewn onto the left shoe in the area of the shifter toe rod.
That did help some, but not entirely. Next I went to a podiatrist and asked him why this great toe area was beginning to complain – even when walking at times. The X- Rays told the story. Cartilage at the top joint of both my feet have simply worn out – it’s no longer there, and the bone ends at that top joint simply rubs bone on bone – that creates the pain.
He offered a solution, and about three weeks ago, I had him exercise that option. I now have, in the left foot, a metal joint implant, that replaces the missing cartilage. How well this will work, I’m not sure right now, but to date it appears it will be successful. At least when I get back on the bike, I won’t have that pain when shifting up and down the gear range.
For some of you (not so young guys – like myself) who may be having a similar problem, I’m attaching a photo so you can see the implant. Perhaps this may be your answer as well? If mine goes well, as I expect it too, I may have the right foot done later this year.
Perhaps it was a matter of ‘lack of coordination’, or maybe just old habits being hard to change, but for me second gear up through however many I had, was the sole function of my left ‘great toe’ and its ability to move up and down, without even thinking.
Recently, however, with great age, things happen one may not necessarily expect to happen, when riding. The ‘great toe’ of my left (shifter) foot began hurting when I went riding. It hurt to push the gear lever up. So, what did I do, I went to a local shoe store and had a double layer of leather sewn onto the left shoe in the area of the shifter toe rod.
That did help some, but not entirely. Next I went to a podiatrist and asked him why this great toe area was beginning to complain – even when walking at times. The X- Rays told the story. Cartilage at the top joint of both my feet have simply worn out – it’s no longer there, and the bone ends at that top joint simply rubs bone on bone – that creates the pain.
He offered a solution, and about three weeks ago, I had him exercise that option. I now have, in the left foot, a metal joint implant, that replaces the missing cartilage. How well this will work, I’m not sure right now, but to date it appears it will be successful. At least when I get back on the bike, I won’t have that pain when shifting up and down the gear range.
For some of you (not so young guys – like myself) who may be having a similar problem, I’m attaching a photo so you can see the implant. Perhaps this may be your answer as well? If mine goes well, as I expect it too, I may have the right foot done later this year.
I hope all goes well with the new device. I think I have a knee in the not to distant future.
