G8 Pro Series 2620 Detailed Review and Additional Resources – Cycling Orthotics

As part of a long-overdue bike fit, the extra £100 I spent on my first pair of custom cycling orthotics was well worth it.

Despite the ravages of age eating away at my power, this bike fit has delivered me up some notable 1- 2 hour, all-time PBs/PRs on three of my regular local routes. The kit used on my latest rides was similar to previous bests, so these PBs/PRs came from either the bike fit, an unusual number of green lights, or more gym work than normal. Probably a combination of all 3, but I’m convinced the bike fit has delivered greater comfort and more aero.

Note: I bought these myself for my own long-term usage, and I paid for the bike fit myself. I have no connection with G8, but I would say I have a casual friendship with the bike fitter.

My Foot Problem

Here are my old symptoms. Maybe you share some of these.

• My right knee pain seems to stem from the mechanics of my foot. The knee sometimes brushes against the top tube.
• I feel like my foot is almost falling off the side of the pedal, and that I’m riding on the outside of my forefoot.
• I do have an arch, but it could be higher
• The inner ankle of my right foot visibly collapses inwards – a common and sure sign that I need orthotics.

I do have custom running orthotics, but for years I’ve tried to cobble together my own cycling solution on my right foot, which only partly worked. I have some very nice Shimano S-Phyre RC9 road shoes, which offer a choice of arch support as standard. I chose the biggest support. Then I glued a wedge under the ball of my foot so that the inside of my sole made better contact in the shoe. This seemed to kinda work, but not really. To cut a very long story short (below!) I should have stumped up the £100 years ago.

 

 

My Bike Fitter

I used (and paid for with my own money) a bike fitter called Richard Melik. Through his company, Freespeed, he probably offers the best triathlon-focused bike fitter service in Richmond, South-West London, UK, also working in surrounding areas like Teddington, where I live. He used to be a RETUL fitter, ran his own Kona team, qualified for Kona himself, and also worked for Zwift for a while. He now works in a fitting space in a custom bike shop in Richmond.

Before working for Zwift, Richard used to be the de facto fitter for all the local triathletes and clubs, but a few local alternatives sprang up, and the £300 for the fit seems decent compared to those other options, many of whom are not triathlon-savvy.

More: Freespeed bike Fit Richmond, Teddington

Why G8 2620?

The insoles are highly adjustable. Having gone through the process with Freespeed, it’s definitely something I could have easily done myself – I’ll explain the process in a minute and link to various videos

You could go for more expensive custom orthotics that are moulded to your foot. However, it’s likely your foot will adapt to the insole and that further tweaks could be required after a few weeks. Unless you plan to get another set of custom orthotics, the G8 insoles offer a far easier and cheaper way to tweak the arch support multiple times.

The insoles are relatively thin, meaning that they shouldn’t take up too much more space inside your shoe. If you have a properly sized cycling shoe, there should be more than enough wriggle room to add G8. If your shoe is already tight, adding further bulk may cause other issues.

More complex fits than mine are catered for with additional heel (sub-talar ‘Met Domes’) wedges or metatarsal support pads, which cost extra.

How do you fit the insoles?

G8’s video, below, differs from what various other bike fitters suggest. Have a look at both.

To generalise:

• Remove your old insole and cut the G8 to the same size (above)
• Whilst sitting with no pressure on your feet and without using the insole, find the biggest arch support that will fit into your arch without protruding. It should be a less-than-snug fit, ie almost a snug fit
• Clip the arch to the insole as far towards the toe as possible. There should be no discomfort at all; if so, move it back. If there is discomfort, use a smaller one.

 

Neill’s fitting videos are excellent. Here he talks about the G8’s

 

 

Before and After Images

Here are the before and after images. I used a Grade 1 left arch and Grade 2 right arch. I’ve not shown an image from above as you can’t see the support – nor should you be able to!

The arches look and feel about right, but I suspect that a heel wedge could also be needed down the line.

 

Effect on Left-Right balance

This cycling dynamics data looks at two similar punchier rides, one with my old Favero Assioma DUO on the old bike fit and the recent one with my new Favero Assioma RS2 – I think both are using the same physical bike. They are on very similar courses and, coincidentally, at near-identical average power levels. My pedalling efficiency seems to have declined as a result of the bike fit, and the balance remains unchanged.

I don’t quite understand why the right-skewed balance remains, as my left leg is definitely stronger and the balance feels more equal to me. I have 3 crank-based power meters, and they all show a left balance skew –  (52:48). However, I believe the Favero data more than any other power tech I have.

So the new insoles and new fit don’t appear to have made me more powerful or more power-efficient. if anything, it’s the opposite. The PB/PRs must be aero-related at least to some degree? That is probably the result of a newer, comfier saddle and better head position, but with otherwise similar reach and saddle height. Perhaps the increased comfort of the fit and the increased comfort in my feet helped maintain better positions for longer?

Effect on speed – Evidence

See…I’m really not making up the speed gains from the bike fit/insoles! These are two charts of my relatively frequent solo routes in the Surrey hills dating back over several years. You can see the number of rides and the definitely faster recent rides.

 

Comparison with Alternatives

The G8 Pro Series 2620 insoles are a middle-ground solution between mass-produced off-the-shelf insoles and fully custom orthotics, the latter of which cost over £250

While they do not require the precise casting and professional fitting of custom orthotics (which can cost £250-350), they offer a high degree of customisation at a more accessible price point. For individuals with complex medical conditions or highly specific foot issues, custom orthotics provided by a knowledgeable podiatrist may still be the optimal choice. Other popular alternatives include Specialized BodyGeo, Solestar, Superfeet, and Sole Insoles.

Why Cyclists May Need Orthotics: Categorised Breakdown

Custom or semi-custom orthotics, fitted by a podiatrist or bike fit specialist, address biomechanical issues to optimise performance, prevent injury, and enhance comfort in cyclists.

The hypochondriacs amongst you who need to find an excuse to buy some orthotics should consult these tables I curated from a few sources on the web. I would say that if you think you have a problem, you probably do. I wouldn’t look for a problem and buy orthotics hoping for a magical performance gain.

1. Performance Optimisation

Orthotics improve biomechanical efficiency, maximising power transfer and pedalling effectiveness.

Factor	Symptom	Underlying Cause
Poor foot alignment (pronation/supination), Pedalling	Pedalling inefficiency, power loss	Misaligned foot causes energy leakage up the kinetic chain, reducing force transfer to the pedals.
Excessive foot movement in a shoe	Power loss, poor control	Instability in the shoe reduces force transfer efficiency and compromises bike handling.
Uneven leg length / pelvic asymmetry	Imbalanced pedal stroke, saddle shift	Asymmetry disrupts even power distribution, leading to compensatory movements.
Poor cleat alignment or float control	Inconsistent cadence or torque patterns	Suboptimal cleat position alters joint mechanics, causing inefficient pedalling dynamics.
Weak arch support	Reduced pedalling stability, early fatigue	Insufficient arch support fails to stabilise the foot, leading to energy waste and reduced force output.
Foot misalignment amplifies bike fit issues	Reduced power, uneven pedal stroke	Foot misalignment exacerbates improper saddle height or bike fit, disrupting kinetic chain efficiency.

2. Injury Prevention

Orthotics mitigate biomechanical issues that contribute to acute or chronic cycling injuries.

Factor	Symptom	Underlying Cause
Flat feet (pes planus)	Knee or ankle pain, fatigue	Lack of arch support causes overpronation, overloading joints during repetitive pedalling.
High arches (pes cavus)	Metatarsalgia, hot spots	Rigid feet concentrate pressure at the forefoot and heel, increasing pain on long rides.
Forefoot varus/valgus	Toe numbness, pressure points	Abnormal angles create uneven pressure distribution, compressing nerves or tissues.
Knee valgus/varus under load	Medial/lateral knee pain	Foot misalignment causes faulty knee tracking, stressing ligaments.
Recurrent Achilles/calf tightness	Calf cramps, heel pain	Improper foot positioning increases Achilles loading during plantarflexion.
Uneven leg length	Low back pain, hip discomfort	Asymmetrical load causes muscle imbalances, straining the lower back and hips.
Plantar fasciitis	Heel or arch pain during/after rides	Lack of proper arch support or cushioning strains the plantar fascia.
Overuse of intrinsic foot muscles	Foot cramps, fatigue	Unsupported foot muscles overwork to stabilise during high-intensity or long-distance rides.

3. Comfort and Nerve Protection

Orthotics enhance comfort by reducing pressure points and protecting nerves during prolonged cycling.

Factor	Symptom	Underlying Cause
Poor metatarsal support	Numb toes, tingling (neuroma)	Nerve compression from inadequate forefoot cushioning.
High arches or rigid feet	Arch pain, poor shoe fit	Lack of natural cushioning increases stress on the arch in stiff cycling shoes.
Improper shoe-foot interaction	Blisters, hot spots	Micro-movements and lack of stabilisation cause friction and irritation.
Cleat misalignment	IT band tightness, hip pain	Rotational force travels up the kinetic chain improperly, straining connective tissues.
Inadequate shock absorption	Foot fatigue, joint discomfort	Lack of cushioning amplifies impact from road vibrations, especially on long or gravel rides.
Narrow or tight toe box	Toe crowding, discomfort	Insufficient space exacerbates pressure on toes, worsened by misaligned feet.

4. Long-Term Joint Health

Orthotics support joint health by addressing repetitive stress and improper loading patterns.

Factor	Symptom	Underlying Cause
Chronic foot misalignment	Early-onset osteoarthritis in knees/hips	Repetitive improper loading accelerates joint wear over time.
Uncorrected leg length discrepancy	Spinal misalignment, chronic back pain	Asymmetrical pedalling forces contribute to pelvic tilt and spinal stress.
Excessive pronation/supination	Ankle instability, recurrent sprains	Overcompensation during pedalling weakens ankle ligaments, increasing injury risk.

sources & Resources

Here are some links to science and various other resources.

• Neill Stanbury Fitting
• DIY Bike Wheel Balancing – XR-One – brilliant, noticeable improvement.
• G8 Fitting Video
• Buy one!
• G8 Performance Website
• Asplund, C., & St. Pierre, P. (2004). Knee pain and bicycling: Fitting concepts for clinicians. The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 32(4), 23–30.
• Callaghan, M. J. (2005). Lower body problems and injury in cycling. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 9(3), 226–236.
• Clarsen, B., Krosshaug, T., & Bahr, R. (2010). Overuse injuries in professional road cyclists. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 38(12), 2494–2501.
• Hunt, G. C., & McPoil, T. G. (2004). Footwear and foot orthoses in sports. Physical Therapy in Sport, 5(2), 67–74.
• Schwartz, E. N., & Su, J. (2014). Plantar fasciitis: A concise review. The Permanente Journal, 18(1), e105–e107.
• Chevalier, T. L., & Chockalingam, N. (2012). Effects of foot orthoses on cycling biomechanics. Footwear Science, 4(2), 135–143.
• Yeo, E. D., & Bonanno, D. R. (2014). The effect of foot orthoses on lower limb muscle activity and kinematics during cycling. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 7(1), 23.
• Silberman, M. R. (2013). Bicycling injuries. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 12(5), 337–345.
• Wanich, T., et al. (2007). Cycling injuries of the lower extremity. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 15(12), 748–756.
• Bailey, M. P., et al. (2003). Leg length discrepancy and its effect on cycling performance. Sports Biomechanics, 2(2), 189-199.
• Dinsdale, N. (2012). The effect of foot orthoses on cycling biomechanics. Journal of Science and Cycling, 1(2), 45-50.
• Gregor, R. J., & Wheeler, J. B. (1994). Biomechanical factors associated with shoe/pedal interfaces in cycling. Sports Medicine, 17(2), 117-131.

Take Out

I guess these are expensive for what they are. However, for the benefit and value they have given me, I’m delighted.

Like me, you could check that your fitter will also look at your orthotics (not all do) and then use orthotics as a prompt to get a bike fit update.

While someone else fitted them for me, it was a straightforward process, and you could easily do it yourself.

My overall bike fit makes me feel more comfortable, and it looks a bit more aero—hence the speed increases. My left foot feels unchanged; however, on my right side, I really do feel a noticeable difference with the foot/shoe/pedal interface. My foot feels flatter, I feel contact over the full width, and my right knee pain seems to have miraculously vanished in two weeks.

 

Last Updated on 29 January 2026 by the5krunner