Advice needed - postion of cleats for spds?

CrazySmudge
CrazySmudge Posts: 137
edited July 2009 in MTB general
Hi All

Just wanted some advice on postion of cleats for spds. Normally have them as far forward as they go but today tried them as far back as they would go and it was a lot easier to clip in. Is it personal preference or is there a technical debate for them forward, rear ro middle? It felt more natural for me with the cleats at the rear - what does everyone else think?

Smudge

Comments

  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    Generally over the ball of your foot is supposed to be best, although I have no idea if mine are.
    2385861000_d125abe796_m.jpg
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=156
    might also help.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Si78
    Si78 Posts: 963
    I think its 'further back for comfort, further forward for power'

    I have mine in the middle. Legs and feet hurt like hell when I had the cleats positioned as far forward as they would go.

    Wouldn't think that such a small change in position makes such a difference, but it did!
    Why has my sig been removed by the admins???
  • King Donut
    King Donut Posts: 498
    Actually there are some scientists who believe that positioning cleats in the middle of the foot will give better power transfer as it will make use of the stronger muscles. But it has to be integrated in to the overall bike setup and may be dependant on cadence...

    At this point i started getting bored. I experimented and then set them where it felt comfortable which is somewhere in the middle.
  • Si78
    Si78 Posts: 963
    King Donut wrote:
    Actually there are some scientists who believe that positioning cleats in the middle of the foot will give better power transfer as it will make use of the stronger muscles. But it has to be integrated in to the overall bike setup and may be dependant on cadence...

    At this point i started getting bored. I experimented and then set them where it felt comfortable which is somewhere in the middle.

    I was just going off what it said in the booklet that came with my Specialized shoes.

    Going for a bit of comfort is always better imho, Ive never had problems getting enough power down when cleats are set in the middle.
    Why has my sig been removed by the admins???
  • GTi-R23
    GTi-R23 Posts: 175
    I honestly just bunged mine on somewhere near the middle and they've been fine. Personally I think setting them up for your natural foot angle is more important, i.e. the angle of your foot in relation to being parallel with the length of the bike (if that makes sense!) so your knees aren't twisted as you pedal.
    Specialized Rockhopper Pro '09

Categories