I was hoping to get some the forum’s expertise. I have started to get more serious with my Duos/Tris and wanted to dial things properly. When I first started riding I just stuck the cleat on in the center of the mounts. Seemed fine. However, I watched a few demonstrations on how to properly place the cleat and ended up moving it significantly toward the toes. I hope I did it correctly. I’ve noticed I’m getting some slight knee pain, nothing painful, but don’t know if it is from running or the bike. I didn’t know if having the cleat that far forward would predispose an issue. Hopefully that all makes sense. Thanks in advance for helping a newbie out.
https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bikefit/2011/04/power-to-the-pedal-cleat-position/
This is just one of millions websites on the internet. Ask a hundred bike fitters and you’ll get 101 different thoughts.
Cleats forward toward the toes is more of a load-heavy, power position. To reduce lower leg stress I have moved my cleats back. In the case of training, drilled new holes in the shoes to go even easier on the Achilles/calf.
I also like to run as tight to the crank as possible, just to keep my legs in & aero.
You can use flat pedals and find a position you like relative to the spindle. I move things around, go from flat pedals, crank bros, looks, different shoes etc. This weekend I raced my custom zero-stack Velcro pedal - by far the best riding pedal of all of them, so organic. Oh and today I’m riding my Argon tribike, put on some Saint flat pedals for city commuting! https://www.instagram.com/p/BzKErj_hB44/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Thanks guys. I think I may move them back a smidge. Any other help is appreciated.
Thanks guys. I think I may move them back a smidge. Any other help is appreciated.
This seems similar to the phrase “you’re saddle is too high” as there is less downside to a low saddle compared to a high saddle.
So there seems to be less downside to cleat back rather than cleat forward. Given the range that most cycling shoes work with, it seems like we’re OK with the cleat about as far back as it could go.
Other factors that could come into play would be way out of whack shoe size, bike size, crank size, etc. Otherwise a back cleat position is where most people end up (unless if one likes to ride on one’s toes).
Bike Cleat Setup Quick Tips | Bike Fit #24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlXpyvAxPUQ&list=PLvTzTHXcSNRS4uZTW6QH9Z8KpRsXsbe1_&index=2
move them ALL the way back
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I find that when I’m riding in the woods on my flat pedals I tend to climb with the arch of my foot right over the pedal axle and it feels pretty good. I think if I always rode that way I’d raise my seat.
I personally prefer to slide my cleats towards the heel, but that is just preference
Mine are slammed all the way back. I do TT’s, crits and RR’s.
The Steve Hogg article is good.
Seek a professional bike fit before you hurt yourself
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You can mess with your bike position, especially if it is somewhat correct to start. It takes simple hand tools and a tape measure to figure out your starting position and change a few dimensions as you feel is best. It takes a while to get used to changes but sometimes they help, sometimes not. It’s your bike, your toolbox and your body, I’m not sure I subscribe to the notion that you need to shell out 200 bucks every time you get some ache or pain. Riding hard in a fast position isn’t overly comfortable, but like others have said if you feel you are way off get help. I can’t imagine paying someone money to move my damn bike cleats around, but that’s just me.
+1
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move them ALL the way back
So I read this article from triathlete.com and decided to slam my cleats all the way back on my shoes today. A little under 3 hours with some 2 minute efforts and 10 minutes steady and it felt relatively good. I need more rides to feel it out but I definitely felt less strain on the calves, which seems to be the main advantage of the rearward placement. Should I be feeling for anything else or do you think its safe for me to just plan on keeping them there because that position will benefit literally everyone?
you might consider feeling your pedal stroke out to see if you need to move your saddle forward an equal amount that you moved your cleats to maintain your original power stroke. This may require an additional move of the elbow pads and extensions an equal amount.
Eric
move them ALL the way back
So I read this article from triathlete.com and decided to slam my cleats all the way back on my shoes today. A little under 3 hours with some 2 minute efforts and 10 minutes steady and it felt relatively good. I need more rides to feel it out but I definitely felt less strain on the calves, which seems to be the main advantage of the rearward placement. Should I be feeling for anything else or do you think its safe for me to just plan on keeping them there because that position will benefit literally everyone?