Fitters - shim question

Triathlon Forum
1

I am one who suffers from cramping in the quad (vastus medialis) once I hit the run off the bike.

This winter I want to try and target that muscle by putting shims in my shoes to change my alignment ever so slightly.

Questions: does this theory have any merit? If so, would the shim be placed on the inside of the foot or the outside?

Thanks in advance.

CB

2

Shim your foot to address knee tracking. Your are not cramping from lack of shims.

3

Yes, that is the intention.

I notice by moving my knee closer or further from the top tube, different muscles are engaged in the quad.

My thinking is that I either shim to strengthen my VM, or disengage it some. That should eliminate the cramping.

Does that make sense?

CB

4

Internet two cents - don’t put shims in your shoes. You will likely trigger more problems than you solve. Internet three cents - use shims sparingly, lots of fitters over the past couple of years seem to recommend shims to 9/10 clients. Be wary.

5

I am one who suffers from cramping in the quad (vastus medialis) once I hit the run off the bike.

This winter I want to try and target that muscle by putting shims in my shoes to change my alignment ever so slightly.

Questions: does this theory have any merit? If so, would the shim be placed on the inside of the foot or the outside?

Thanks in advance.

CB

I’d experiment with moving your cleats forward\aft first