I've been wearing Specialized brand MTB shoes basically the entire time I've been on a 'bent, mostly for better walking comfort than road shoes, and for their "wide" fit... However, whenever I've had a bike with a "hip-level" or higher pedaling position where I have long periods of exertion (Ken's Catrike Road, the Xstream proto, Lynn's hiracer, and my current Xstream), I am developing an irritated and almost blistered area on the backs of my heels -- with the right heel being much worse than the left. It got really bad during last year's TTTT, making me drop out after only three laps.
I never really experienced this problem on the StratusXP, so I'm thinking it's a result of the more horizontal push-pull of the pedaling position rubbing my heel against the back inside of the shoe. I had bought new size 46 shoes last week, but after Tuesday night's Pop ride, I was really hurting on the right heel. I took those shoes back to RBM, and got 45.5 from PCF, hoping it would help, but could feel the same thing starting to develop after this morning's Sunday Roll, which was a casual-paced 44 miles.
I've got the top strap ratcheted pretty tight already, although there's some wiggle room in the front due to the width of the shoes. I'm thinking that for my next ride, I'll wear a thin "liner" sock inside my regular sock...
Has anybody else riding a hiracer or trike experienced this problem, and if so, what'd you do about it??? Suggestions? Just putting a band-aid on my heel won't work, due to the sweating, etc...