Pedals with Float

JWSurrey

Can anyone recommend a good road pedal with lots of float?
Something easy to get out of - I'm paranoid about not being able to unclip at a vital moment.
Preferably something I can bung some reflectors on for winter riding.
Not worried about weight.

I've been riding in SPDs for years, however this is the second road season when one of my knees starts to develop a dull all-round pain.
The first step suggested by the LBS is to change to road shoes, as these are supposed to offer more support, and subsequently can be better wedged/modified as necessary.

I've heard Cyclefit in Macklin St. are good with their biomech. analysis, but can anyone offer feedback having had this uber expensive GBP175.00 (plus parts) service?
Wifey thinks it's a bit pricey - so I'm on a hiding to nothing - unless I can get her out clothes shopping

SteveR_100Milers

The Time RX series have lots of float, but the downside is they can be a pig to engage sometimes (and I have had to start TT's unclipped as I couldnt get them to engage in 30 seconds :roll: ) They will disengage easily though, so you needn't worry about falling off.

Garry H

JWSurrey wrote:

I've been riding in SPDs for years, however this is the second road season when one of my knees starts to develop a dull all-round pain.
The first step suggested by the LBS is to change to road shoes, as these are supposed to offer more support, and subsequently can be better wedged/modified as necessary.

Not trying to be funny or anything, but rather than seeing a bike mechanic about a knee problem, why not just go and see a physio or a podiatrist? IF modification of your footwear (by means of tailored insoles etc) is the solution to your problem, I don't think a bike mechanic or a sales assistant is the right person to offer advice. Your problem may only be a symptom of something else. Sounds like it would be cheaper than you other alternative as well, GBP 175, sheesh!! :shock:

JWSurrey

Fair point, although the two places I've looked at, have experience of solving cycling related joint pain.

Osteo has diagnosed my one-sidedness and why running induces the same pain, so I know which side / what the problem is - just don't know how to alleviate it on the bike.

Would a physio be able to offer any solutions, or just diagnose the fault?
I suppose a podiatrist would be an option, although the problem is not entirely foot related.

Monty Dog

I'd recommend Time pedals for their degree of free float - I started using them when I developed knee twinges a few years ago. Adopting road pedals may elimnate some of the side-to-side rocking that you can get from an SPD - I'd try new pedals first before shelling out on expensive bike fit sessions that invariably cost £££ in terms of new components or even frames. To say that Bike Fit are 'mechanics' is a bit disingeneous and at the same time, to imply that physios know about the biomechanics of cycling and that podiatrists are cost effective isn't really a sound argument. These days, a pair of custom insoles will set you back in excess of £300.
JW I find it surprising that you are experiencing the same discomfort from cycling as from running - this would indicate to me that this is a general condition rather than cycling-specific as the two put very different stresses on your joints. Perhaps knowing what sort of discomfort you're experiencing will help us in terms of advise?

simbil1

Time ATAC have good rotational and lateral float. I have some lying around that you could have.

The root of your problem is likely to be any of; position, too much grinding or bad biomechanics (knee rocking in and out from the bike for example),

If you do grind, up your cadence and select lower gears to see if that helps.
Check your cleat position so that it is properly aligned and puts your kneecap over the pedal axle when the pedal is at 3 o'clock.
Watch your legs when you cycle - ideally if you have a turbo, put a mirror up and look for abnormalities. A smooth supple well aligned style shouldn't give you knee problems.

Too much float isn't always good either - I had to abandon the ATACs as they upset my MCL problem - a regular SPD was better for my complaint.

I would never use orthotics long term - they may be helpful to overcome an issue but if you have to use them long term it is very likely the problem will just move somewhere else, they have a very poor track record in this respect.

You could also consider some general strengthening of your core, glutes, quads and feet.

Good luck

Garry H

JWSurrey wrote:

Fair point, although the two places I've looked at, have experience of solving cycling related joint pain.

Osteo has diagnosed my one-sidedness and why running induces the same pain, so I know which side / what the problem is - just don't know how to alleviate it on the bike.

Would a physio be able to offer any solutions, or just diagnose the fault?
I suppose a podiatrist would be an option, although the problem is not entirely foot related.

If the pain is related to a problem that is caused by something else then yes, I think a physio may be able to help, assuming you find a good one of course. This is what they do.

Have had similar knee problems myself, turned out I had a muscle imbalance, weak glutes apparently, and nothing to do with the knees themselves. Physio diagnosed it and advised on how to get it fixed. No more problems. The funny thing is that I endured it for a few years thinking it was "just one of those things".

It's well worth a go before you start throwing money at new shoes and pedals, only to discover that it makes no difference.

Garry H

Monty Dog wrote:

I'd recommend Time pedals for their degree of free float - I started using them when I developed knee twinges a few years ago. Adopting road pedals may elimnate some of the side-to-side rocking that you can get from an SPD - I'd try new pedals first before shelling out on expensive bike fit sessions that invariably cost £££ in terms of new components or even frames. To say that Bike Fit are 'mechanics' is a bit disingeneous and at the same time, to imply that physios know about the biomechanics of cycling and that podiatrists are cost effective isn't really a sound argument. These days, a pair of custom insoles will set you back in excess of £300.
JW I find it surprising that you are experiencing the same discomfort from cycling as from running - this would indicate to me that this is a general condition rather than cycling-specific as the two put very different stresses on your joints. Perhaps knowing what sort of discomfort you're experiencing will help us in terms of advise?

I would say that a good sports physio would indeed know about the bio-mechanics of pedalling a bicycle! Just don't go and see one who's main time is taken up by old ladies with damaged hips. Knowing that the problem is also evident in running, makes it more likely that you would benefit more from spending £175 on a physio, rather than a "bike fit".

JWSurrey

Thanks for the advice guys.
Sounds like a pair of Time pedals may be order of the day.
Ouch - now I just have the financial pain of purchasing a pair of road shoes - and learning to "do the penguin"
Monty, you always seem to be on the same wavelength!
Garry H - I might still breeze by a physio, if I can find a good one, just to see what they have to say, having never used one before.

I'm always a bit uncomfortable (excuse the pun) talking about medical issues on a public forum; essentially what I have is not uncommon - I've been told when walking/running to try and turn my left heel out from my body more, as my left leg tends to move forwards and outwards rather than straight forward/back, which my right leg does correctly.
Before changing to Spez. shoes, I used to get hot-foot on the outside of my left foot - The metatarsal button on the Spez. shoes is superb - probably the most comfortable footwear I own - actually considering a pair of their BG trainers for general wearing now, as a result!

Checked myself on the turbo last night, and noticed my left knee to be waving in/out from the top tube a little.

LBS suggested I try raising the saddle by a max. of 5mm first - which sounds plausible - It'll reduce the tendancy for my knee to waggle about at TDC (top dead centre) - sorry, a term from a lifetime of tinkering with engines of a different kind!

My average cadence is 85-90, and I've deliberately geared myself for spin - although not helped by getting stuck in the big ring a couple of weekends ago :roll: (Campag. ergo service due). Yup, done the knee over/behind the pedal thing during the initial bike setups - thanks for the suggestion though.

disney

Or try Speedplay frogs etc which I use exclusively with my shimano RT51's after my spd's caused me a knee problem . Speedplay is the best for knee friendly cleats IMO and ease of unclipping is very easy. Do a search for comments and visit the web site. For me they were truly fantastic. They are free float and non-centering.

schlepcycling

+1 for Speedplay, masses of float and no fumbling around getting the pedal the right way up just stamp down on that lollipop and off you go.

Garry H

JWSurrey wrote:

I've been told when walking/running to try and turn my left heel out from my body more, as my left leg tends to move forwards and outwards rather than straight forward/back, which my right leg does correctly.

That sounds very similar to the problem I had. Does it cause your leg to slightly collapse inwards at the knee?

Good luck in finding a solution.

neeb

Another vote for speedplay, although for the zeros rather than the frogs. I bought them for the extra float due to a knee problem, but then found that my knee pain was being caused by too much float rather than not enough... Fortunately the zeros allow you to have loads of float, none, or anything in between, and with reduced float you can set the angle of your foot anywhere within the range.

graeme_s-2

JWSurrey wrote:

I'm always a bit uncomfortable (excuse the pun) talking about medical issues on a public forum; essentially what I have is not uncommon - I've been told when walking/running to try and turn my left heel out from my body more, as my left leg tends to move forwards and outwards rather than straight forward/back, which my right leg does correctly.

If you've never seen a physio, then who told you to do that?

JWSurrey

Osteo at a sports injury clinic.

magliaceleste

Crank Brothers Quattro have lots of float. I couldn't get on with Time Impacts or Look Keos as they hurt my knees.

Other advantages are that the pedals are doublesided and you can walk around in your shoes without ruining the cleats (no need for covers)

Rich Hcp

I have Shimano 1105s with yellow cleats

Plenty of float there.

il_principe

Speedplay Zero's

Rich Hcp

I meant 105s with yellow tipped cleats, can't type :oops:

graeme_s-2

magliaceleste wrote:

Crank Brothers Quattro have lots of float. I couldn't get on with Time Impacts or Look Keos as they hurt my knees.

Other advantages are that the pedals are doublesided and you can walk around in your shoes without ruining the cleats (no need for covers)

I use Quattros and like the float in them as well. The cleats do seem pretty stable compared to most road cleats.