Cleat set up

bobbymeister
bobbymeister Posts: 186
edited January 2009 in Workshop
I'm just pondering my cleat set up and I've come to the conclusion that it 'feels' better with the one on the right about 3-4mm further back than the left one?
Is this common or are most people out there using a symmetrical set up?
I don't whether it's down to the dimensions of my foot, or some kind of leg/pelvic disrcepancy, but it seems to work for me.
I was just curious whether that makes me different or not?

Comments

  • mercsport
    mercsport Posts: 664
    Off the cuff thought , it might be to do with the fact ( ...fact ? ) that most everyone has one leg longer than the other to some degree . :?
    "Lick My Decals Off, Baby"
  • Ken Night
    Ken Night Posts: 2,005
    Most people have feet of slighlty different size, therefore it's not unusual to have cleats in different positions-as the ball of each foot will be in a different place in the shoe

    I believe there is also some evidence to show that the pedal axle should be slightly behind the ball of the foot-works for me

    (Litespeed going great Robert)
    “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best..." Ernest Hemingway
  • bobbymeister
    bobbymeister Posts: 186
    Good to hear, Ken.
    I bought myself another one in the end... :D
  • scherrit
    scherrit Posts: 360
    Per Ken's comment... the best way of positioning a cleat is by means of reference to an anatomical landmark such as your MTP (metatarsal-pharangeal, I think?) joint.

    Feet may be a different sizes and they may sit slightly differently in the shoe, so a decent fitter should mark where (for example) your MTP joint sit on the sole of the shoe and then position the cleat off those marks. This is for backwards-forwards positioning. I favour a MTP forward of the pedal spindle position - say 6-8mm for a size 44 shoe? less for smaller feet...

    I tend to position side-to-side so as to reduce Q but avoid polishing the cranks with your shoe or ankle....

    I would then set the twist so that your natural, normal neutral foot position is in the middle of the available float (if any).
    My 2p,
    Scherrit.
    www.thebikewhisperer.co.uk
    If you're as fat as me, all bikes are bendy.
  • crankycrank
    crankycrank Posts: 1,830
    When I first started using clipless I looked into all the theories of proper cleat position and just ended up being confused. Recently a few have also tried moving the cleat to near the center of the shoe under the foot arch. I found on a long ride of 3 hours or more my feet and knees would start telling me what worked. My knees started to feel like they were being twisted and my feet felt like my toes were doing all the work so I just adjusted the angle and setback untill it just felt right. Also read from someone (can't remember who) that has worked with many pros, said he has yet to meet a rider that has a perfectly symetrical riding position.

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