Bill Perterson; We Do Feet & Dynamic Foot Systems

The contours of my foot in Dynamic Foot Systems' Orthotics

I’ve waited for a bit before writing this post so I could ride my new orthotics for a while to see how I felt about them.  I would have to say I think they’re great.  The last set of insoles I had worked perfectly and solved all of my issues.  But the new set seems just a little bit more refined.  Bill Peterson is the kind of guy that never leaves “great” alone.  He’s had more years, more experience, and worked with a larger variety of athletes than anyone in the industry I’ve ever come across.  Yet every time I talk to him he’s on the edge of what’s new, never resting, always learning, improving and working.

I last visited Bill in the winter of ’08 and a lot has changed.  He has put into practice and done extensive testing on a theory we had previously discussed about cleat position.  His foot scanning methods now include a 3d foam impression and a computer scan.  But is all this improvement good? Is it measurable steps forward and not sideways or even backwards?

The New Cycling Orthotics

The new insoles are significantly wider... A very good thing.

First off, I feel the new foot scanning procedures result in an improved product. I’m very comfortable in my new insoles and it only took one ride to break them in and jump right back into training. Before continuing let me just say my feet are wide, actually let me say that again, my feet are wide! So in the following I’m referring to the increased width of the insoles being a result of a very accurate scan. Notice in the image the blue peaking out from behind the (sorry, how dirty they are, but two years is a long time to ride insoles) red, it’s only a millimeter or so but that is very significant in the shoe world. But the sole isn’t just wider, it’s wider in the bed itself. The mid part of my foot doesn’t feel as cupped which I like. This is not to say it’s not supported, the heel is deep(er) and keeps it locked in place, also the high(er) arch support fits my foot perfectly. What I’m saying is that my foot is allowed to spread out and breath where it needs to.

Dynamic Foot Systems and Cleat Position:

Last time I went to Bill he was excited and talking about cleat position.  Now on my return trip, he had it dialed in.  Not only had he done extensive testing in the lab he’s had riders riding the new cleat position.  As we sat down and discussed the effects, science, and philosophy behind this it made more sense than anything I’d heard to date.  He walked me through the fit taking measurements drawing lines on an imprint of my foot then measured my shoe noting where my cleat now needed to be.  It looked back, very far back.  In fact Bill mumbled something in the general direction of shoe manufacturers as he walked to the back to get the drill.  Having something like this done to your position takes a certain amount confidence in the person doing it.  So I sat back grabbed some food and let him work.

Frikin' Lasers were used

After getting set up on my new cleats we looked at my over all position.  Which is still pretty spot on.  No hip rocking, leg extension is good, now if only I was 5’2″ I might climb a bit better.

The new cleats didn’t take long to get used to in the sense that I could ride them right away.  But the new rearward position is always noticeable. It’s more in the position that I put my foot on the pedals when I hop on my cruiser to the coffee shop. Not the position I’m used to being in when I race.  But maybe that’s the point.  Maybe the most efficient place to pedal is where you do it naturally.  There is a lot more toe overlap, which is to be expected.  But I can’t image it being a problem unless you’re in the habit of doing bad track stands with your front wheel flopping all over the place.

Overall I’m very happy.  I would have, and did, recommend Bill to anyone after my last experience.  But now I’d say you have to go see him. Now that I’m taking a step back from racing, joining a local team, and focusing on my business I’m going to need all the help I can get when it comes to generating power.

For a little more reading you can check out my post about Bill Peterson before I went down to visit him for the second time.

* I also unpacked a set of running insoles with my new cycling orthotics. I’m going to be writing a bit about them soon.  So far in the gym they feel like they’re working with my feet wonderfully.