Foot Activation Service
Cost: €180 (up to two hours) (footbeds not included)
This is a lengthy process which uses a comparative testing approach. This service is only recommended for those of you who are pretty happy with your bike fit, but feel that you could make improvements in overall foot comfort and connection with the bike.
We first focus on providing the foot with a foot bed/insole (if required) which will provide the necessary contact with the foot underneath the arch and towards the base of the first metatarsal joint. This allows for the important proprioceptive feedback to the brain. This contact/proprioceptive input is picked up by the brain via the central nervous system. The CNS needs to be fully involved in cycling in order for the body to function to its best ability. We know that once the CNS is allowed to work properly, the lower limbs are better co-ordinated, the pelvis can improve its stability and control, and there is a better all-round feeling of connection with the bike. The foot bed/insole also acts as a springboard for the plantar fascia to press against during the power phase of the pedal stroke. This creates a tension through the plantar fascia which is rather like that created when running via the windlass mechanism, thereby converting cycling into a more natural movement. More importantly, this new tension is more easily recognised by the brain through the receptors in the foot simply because it is new and the brain is able to differentiate it from the many other messages coming in.
This is the neurological approach to bike fitting, which has been documented in the research and is used by highly rated bike fitters internationally.
We can further improve the contact through the use of wedges, including cleat wedges, forefoot wedges and heel wedges. We then test each foot and leg independently using these adjuncts and search for an evenly spread load under the foot and a positive feeling of smoothness through the pedal stroke. This positive feeling is the window into the central nervous system, so we keep adjusting until the rider finds the best feeling at the foot and through the pedal stroke. i.e using a comparative testing model until an optimal result is found.
We can use foot pressure mapping technology from GebioMized to assess the improvements made to the pressure distribution in the shoe and the quality of pedal stroke via the force/time plots.
Then we move to the other foot and repeat the process. After this, we then look for symmetry between the left and right leg.
We first focus on providing the foot with a foot bed/insole (if required) which will provide the necessary contact with the foot underneath the arch and towards the base of the first metatarsal joint. This allows for the important proprioceptive feedback to the brain. This contact/proprioceptive input is picked up by the brain via the central nervous system. The CNS needs to be fully involved in cycling in order for the body to function to its best ability. We know that once the CNS is allowed to work properly, the lower limbs are better co-ordinated, the pelvis can improve its stability and control, and there is a better all-round feeling of connection with the bike. The foot bed/insole also acts as a springboard for the plantar fascia to press against during the power phase of the pedal stroke. This creates a tension through the plantar fascia which is rather like that created when running via the windlass mechanism, thereby converting cycling into a more natural movement. More importantly, this new tension is more easily recognised by the brain through the receptors in the foot simply because it is new and the brain is able to differentiate it from the many other messages coming in.
This is the neurological approach to bike fitting, which has been documented in the research and is used by highly rated bike fitters internationally.
We can further improve the contact through the use of wedges, including cleat wedges, forefoot wedges and heel wedges. We then test each foot and leg independently using these adjuncts and search for an evenly spread load under the foot and a positive feeling of smoothness through the pedal stroke. This positive feeling is the window into the central nervous system, so we keep adjusting until the rider finds the best feeling at the foot and through the pedal stroke. i.e using a comparative testing model until an optimal result is found.
We can use foot pressure mapping technology from GebioMized to assess the improvements made to the pressure distribution in the shoe and the quality of pedal stroke via the force/time plots.
Then we move to the other foot and repeat the process. After this, we then look for symmetry between the left and right leg.