what is the best cleat position

vision267
vision267 Posts: 149
edited August 2009 in Road beginners
having shimano ultegra pedals I was advised to set the cleat position on the ball of the foot?This to me seems confusing as the ball of the foot has a covers a lot of area.I firstly put the cleats all the way back felt alright at first,but after adout 10 miles it did not feel right.I then moved it all the way forward this was worse no power in the harder gears.To cut a long story short I found the best position for me was just forward of half way.Is this position what most people use?I am now very interested in what position most people use.Yeah it is very weird thing to admit too,my shoes are about a half size to big (bad advise at a local bike shop.Even tried to sell me a larger size again.)I am always shifting me cleat position trying to get the right sweet spot please help!!! :oops: :oops:

Comments

  • I have found this to be one of the most important aspects of a bike fit.I do not use clipless pedals any more so I can not really help you but why not go to a bike shop for advice.
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    it's a personal thing...


    some people even find their arches are the best place for them!!!! :shock:

    Keep a notebook of your cleat movement, and remember there is more than fore-aft as well, there is also lateral position and the angle! Only change one thing at a time.
  • daviesee
    daviesee Posts: 6,386
    What is the best position for cleats?

    Under the sole :roll:

    Sorry, it is late and I couldn't resist. Just leaving......
    None of the above should be taken seriously, and certainly not personally.
  • Crezor
    Crezor Posts: 9
    I had a fit done and the way that they set me up was to have the axle of the pedal running in a line, on the balls of the feet, from the joint of the big toe to the joint of the small toe.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ axle ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ V ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Big toe joint
    small toe joint

    Hope that makes sense. The ~~~~ are just space fillers the V is pointing at the axle which is the
    . Try it out and see if it works for you.
  • mgcycleguy
    mgcycleguy Posts: 292
    Remember also you may not be symetrical ... I for instance have a right cleat set backwards compared to my left cleat. As mentioned your knee angles will effect your optimum cleat postion.

    ... apart the classic method of dangling your legs off the edge of a desk or table to see how your feet hang... also take a look at a pair of your old shoes, take a look at the wear pattern on the soles, this will give you clues to your pressure points...
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    daviesee wrote:
    What is the best position for cleats?

    Under the sole :roll:

    Sorry, it is late and I couldn't resist. Just leaving......
    I'm always happiest when they're clipped into the pedals
  • vision267
    vision267 Posts: 149
    Thanks for the answers and all of them are excellent and very helpful.Must remember the one about under the foot.I thought it was very funny :lol::lol::lol:
  • I have my cleats in different positions on each foot. I'd say cleat position is just as different and unique betweens riders as saddle comfort
    Bianchi. There are no alternatives only compromises!
    I RIDE A KONA CADABRA -would you like to come and have a play with my magic link?
  • When i bought a new bike the guy who set me up on it he loosely fit the cleats. He then got me to clip my feet in, he then got me to pedal round on a turbo a few times. He tightened the front bolts through the pedals and marked round the side for the bottom two, which he tightend when i unclipped from the pedals. He said that they would now be set to my natural alignment and they have been absolutely fine. Obviously help will be needed and a turbo will make it much easier.
  • timb64
    timb64 Posts: 248
    I know this is obvious but surely if your shoes are too big you're never going to a truely good fit as your feet will be moving around in the shoe?
  • Escargot
    Escargot Posts: 361
    I use SPD's and the instructions say that you need to adjust the cleat forward/backward depending on whether your preference is for power/comfort.

    I used to have mine slightly forward of my balls (oo-er) and although more natural feeling have moved them slightly back of late as I was starting to suffer some foot pain.

    I've no doubt it's a personal thing so whatever feels best although to echo the above comment, if your shoes are too big then it isn't going to help either way.

    FWIW I was told (rightly or wrongly) that you need to ensure your heel doesn't slip out of the shoe easily when pulling up on the pedals.
  • macondo01
    macondo01 Posts: 706
    Getting the cleat angle right can be tricky. I've tried hanging my legs off a table and measuring the angle to paper etc..but in the end it was trial and error that worked. Going for a ride and making small adjustments. Riding with angles slightly out can really knacker your knees, it is really worth investing time in getting this right. Persevere!
    .
    "Let not the sands of time get in your lunch"

    National Lampoon
  • On another thread, i came across this, which gives loads of info

    http://bikedynamics.co.uk/
    The ultimate cruelty of love's pinions
  • CHRISNOIR
    CHRISNOIR Posts: 1,400
    Macondo01 wrote:
    Getting the cleat angle right can be tricky. I've tried hanging my legs off a table and measuring the angle to paper etc..but in the end it was trial and error that worked. Going for a ride and making small adjustments. Riding with angles slightly out can really knacker your knees, it is really worth investing time in getting this right. Persevere!

    This is all that worked for me. I've been clipless for a couple of years now and it was only this summer as I started doing longer rides that my left knee started playing up. If you take a multi-tool on your rides it can be worth sometimes tinkering with the settings mid ride until it works for you.
  • PhilofCas
    PhilofCas Posts: 1,153
    Big Banjo wrote:
    When i bought a new bike the guy who set me up on it he loosely fit the cleats. He then got me to clip my feet in, he then got me to pedal round on a turbo a few times. He tightened the front bolts through the pedals and marked round the side for the bottom two, which he tightend when i unclipped from the pedals. He said that they would now be set to my natural alignment and they have been absolutely fine. Obviously help will be needed and a turbo will make it much easier.

    that the best method i've ever come across, nice one