Foot Goniometer

Description

The Bike Fitting Foot Goniometer measures the forefoot angle of the foot in relation to the calcaneus (heel) of the cyclist.  This tool is also known as a forefoot varus/valgus measuring device, and it is also useful for assessing deviation of the heel.

The forefoot varus or valgus angle can be used to determine and recommend the use of in-shoe forefoot and heel wedges, or external cleat wedges for cyclists.

Following appropriate training and accepted guidelines, using the bike fitting foot goniometer can help take the guesswork out of when to recommend and use a foot support or correction intervention like cleat wedges.

Benefits

• Helps identify an important structural and functional presentation of the cyclist’s feet, and any variation between left and right.
• This information provides a basis for assessment and recommendations regarding support interventions
• Takes the guesswork out of knowing when and to what extent you make a foot intervention recommendation

Features

• Easy to read scale using 5-degree segments (0,5,10,15, 20 degrees) with an additional marking halfway between each 5-degree segment.
• Left and Right labels on the scale refer to the foot being measured.
  • A foot may be either varus or valgus.
    • Varus: big toe side elevated relative to little toe side – extremely common
    • Valgus: little toe side elevated relative to big toe side – uncommon.
• VARUS is in bold and valgus is in small print to help remind you of the difference!

Application

Specific training in foot assessment and the use of interventions and correctives is highly recommended.  This tool only serves to take a measurement.  It does not tell you how to interpret and use the measurement information.  Simplified use guidelines are as follows, but should not be used in isolation:

• 0 – 5 degrees varus is a typical foot presentation, and intervention is rarely needed.
• 5 – 10 degrees varus indicates some support may be beneficial, and this may be in the form of an in-shoe forefoot wedge or 1 degree of wedging.
• 10-15 degrees varus indicates additional support may be beneficial, using an in-shoe wedge and 1 degree of cleat wedging, or 2 degrees of cleat wedging.
• >15 degrees is uncommon.  A professional foot assessment is recommended by a podiatrist before recommending an intervention.

Compatibility

For use in recommending:

• in-shoe forefoot wedges
• in-shoe heel wedges
• cleat wedges

Package Contents

• One Forefoot Goniometer

Specifications

Materials:

• Body:  ABS
• Extending Arm and Gauge Pointer:  steel

Measurement Range

• 22 degrees each way from zero, in 2.5-degree segments.
• Full extension length: 21cm