Don't think pedaling is as much force as running ... I've never had pain in ball of foot ... of course i wear uber cushion hokas ... maybe barefoot will be different
I'm thinking not necessarily force in my case, but the way the foot flexes (or doesn't flex, since bike shoes and pedals are a lot stiffer than running shoes and grass.
what's the history on the ball of foot injury? I know you mentioned it before. any idea how it developed, how long, is it a bone bruise, fracture, or connective tissue? sounds like just causes problems intermittently.
unknown. just comes and goes.