Hi, I’ve had to try easy tension SPDL’s because I was struggling to unclip, but even the original pedals with yellow cleats made a strange forward and back motion when pedalling uphill, standing or sitting. I felt like the cleats were loose, stopped a few times to check.
Tried red and blue cleats which were better, but these then hurt my knees.
Speedplays don’t give this strange feeling.
Was wondering if it was my shoes, maybe they’re faulty.
Hi, I’ve had to try easy tension SPDL’s because I was struggling to unclip, but even the original pedals with yellow cleats made a strange forward and back motion when pedalling uphill, standing or sitting. I felt like the cleats were loose, stopped a few times to check.
Tried red and blue cleats which were better, but these then hurt my knees.
Speedplays don’t give this strange feeling.
Was wondering if it was my shoes, maybe they’re faulty.
The yellow Shimano SPD-SL cleats are working as designed. I have the same “loose” cleat sensation occasionally but I’d rather deal with that than the awkward knee position I had sometimes when I tried the blue ones. You should probably adjust your cleat position to better align with your natural pedaling motion if you’re constantly using the float in the cleats.
Hi, I’ve had to try easy tension SPDL’s because I was struggling to unclip, but even the original pedals with yellow cleats made a strange forward and back motion when pedalling uphill, standing or sitting. I felt like the cleats were loose, stopped a few times to check.
Tried red and blue cleats which were better, but these then hurt my knees.
Speedplays don’t give this strange feeling.
Was wondering if it was my shoes, maybe they’re faulty.
The yellow Shimano SPD-SL cleats are working as designed. I have the same “loose” cleat sensation occasionally but I’d rather deal with that than the awkward knee position I had sometimes when I tried the blue ones. You should probably adjust your cleat position to better align with your natural pedaling motion if you’re constantly using the float in the cleats.
I don’t have experience with the yellow cleats, but what I’ve seen of Shimano’s documentation seemed to indicate that the cleats had 1-2mm of side to side lateral float, *not *front to back float, and distinct from rotational float. Are you saying the cleats actually have a bit of front to back float, or are you saying that they don’t but it might feel like they do? It does not sound to me like the cleats should be moving front to back. It seems like that would be undesirable.
I did switch to SPD-SLs from Speedplays after realizing that I wasn’t using any of the float, and my pedals were creaking (and no, that could not be resolved with any combination of shims; I am not interested in being challenged on this issue). I did get the blue cleats, and it took some time to dial in the cleat rotational position. I do pedal with my toes slightly pointed out, and it felt like my knees were getting a bit strained when i didn’t have the cleats rotated enough. It may be worth getting some professional help in setting the cleat position if you can’t do it yourself, but with the blues it can take some effort to dial in. If you know that you are actually using the rotational float, then I think the blues may not be for you.
I don’t have experience with the yellow cleats, but what I’ve seen of Shimano’s documentation seemed to indicate that the cleats had 1-2mm of side to side lateral float, *not *front to back float, and distinct from rotational float. Are you saying the cleats actually have a bit of front to back float, or are you saying that they don’t but it might feel like they do? It does not sound to me like the cleats should be moving front to back. It seems like that would be undesirable.
I should have been more clear. They don’t have front to back float; no amount of power I’ve been able to generate moves them directly in that axis. When they do float, they feel like if the cleat mounting bolts are very slightly loose, mostly because of being able to wiggle them on both front and back.
Clip in a shoe by itself while you stand next to it and check. Back/front float is not expected.
What shoes are you using?
Things like Bonts with very flat soles have the effect of “shortening” the cleat when its bolted up, as it removes the inbuilt curve of the cleat, so front to back distance is reduced.
Try putting a thin shim between the bolts to put a bit of arch back in there.
Other possible cause is your pedals are knackered. I’ve had ultegra spd’s look fine but the body has worn.
Hi, I’ve had to try easy tension SPD SLs because I was struggling to unclip, but even the original pedals with yellow cleats made a strange forward and back motion when pedalling uphill, standing or sitting. I felt like the cleats were loose, stopped a few times to check.
These pedals are working as designed, giving you 15o of float (rotationally). You’ve subsequently clarifies that the movement is NOT a “forward and back motion”. You’ve checked the cleats and they are not loose (I always use threadlocker on the bolts btw). I’d be dead surprised if there was ‘something wrong’ with your shoes.
Apart from these pedals ‘feeling’ different, what detrimental effect are you concerned by?