cleats / pedal etc.

Mrs_Ragbrutty
Mrs_Ragbrutty Posts: 59
edited January 2011 in Commuting general
I have new shoes and have not got the cleats in the right place - I road like this for a week of commuting and am now injured. I need to look at different pedals until injuries are sorted.

I have been informed that there are many different types of pedal / cleat so I'd like some expert advice / opinions.

I am using spd's at the moment, I have mtb shoes as I cycle mainly to commute even though I use a road bike.

so - there are magnetic pedals and pedals that allow float, what else? Whats best - I have a knee and shin injury. (apart from plain pedal and toeclips)
Any help please?

Comments

  • Lancslad
    Lancslad Posts: 307
    Um why dont you adjust the postion of the cleats? Thats what I did What pedals are they? Mine losen off to create more float.
    Novice runner & novice cyclist
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  • shouldbeinbed
    shouldbeinbed Posts: 2,660
    Yes, pedals and cleats are adjustable for ease of clipping in & out and the cleats can be moved fore and aft and rotated to suit knees etc have a good old fiddle about and they'll be your friends
  • simon_e
    simon_e Posts: 1,707
    Are you sure it's the pedals/cleats that caused your issue?

    Any clipless system will require adjustment so you won't necessarily be any better off by switching. I would suggest toe clips and straps until your issue is sorted - that way there will be no stress on the affected area.

    The SPD type pedal/cleat system allows quite a significant amount of float as it is. There are guides on t'internet on how to set cleat positioning correctly, possibly on this website.

    Loads of people use SPDs on road bikes, the fact that they're designated MTB is irrelevant and only because that was the intended market.
    Aspire not to have more, but to be more.
  • Mrs_Ragbrutty
    Mrs_Ragbrutty Posts: 59
    1) I've tried to put the cleats in the right place according to internet advice. until I am not in any pain I don't really want to check it out.
    2)They do not allow float.

    3) I was advised by tri friends to use cleats that allow more float

    I am pidgeon toed and have inward facing patella which makes set up more awkward than it should be.
    I thought the float would be better to allow me to find the right position while riding rather than have to move cleat ride for a few miles stop, move cleat etc. Most of the positioning advice seems to be specific to riding style rather than biomechanics.
    It's most def the position of the cleats in the shoes that are causing the problem - after 18k miles thats the only thing thats changed position wise - new shoes.
  • shouldbeinbed
    shouldbeinbed Posts: 2,660
    Mrs_Ragbrutty wrote:
    1) I've tried to put the cleats in the right place according to internet advice. until I am not in any pain I don't really want to check it out.
    2)They do not allow float.

    3) I was advised by tri friends to use cleats that allow more float

    I am pidgeon toed and have inward facing patella which makes set up more awkward than it should be.
    I thought the float would be better to allow me to find the right position while riding rather than have to move cleat ride for a few miles stop, move cleat etc. Most of the positioning advice seems to be specific to riding style rather than biomechanics.
    It's most def the position of the cleats in the shoes that are causing the problem - after 18k miles thats the only thing thats changed position wise - new shoes.

    yes they do & to quite a degree

    sorry if this sounds a stupid question but are you aware that you can adjust the tightness of the grip the pedals exert on the cleat to allow you more or less lateral foot movement whilst clipped in. look to the back end of the spd clip, there will be an allen key hole, loosen it off as far as possible and see if that makes a difference. I keep mine almost totally slacked off as I like my foot to be able to wiggle about a bit.

    also be aware that some SPD cleats only clip one way (black I think - not heard of it until it was mentioned on here a while back) the silver ones are universal and I'd guess floatier.

    other option, you've got faulty pedals, take 'em back, or into a decent LBS and just ensure that you/they are setting up properly.
  • Drysuitdiver
    Drysuitdiver Posts: 474
    Btwin ( decathlons cycing brand) do a MTB pedal that is a normal pedal on one side and an SPD on the other.

    try them and you have best of both worlds.

    i found sitting with legs dngling identified which way feet pointed and i could adjust the cleats on my shoes to suit.

    I have th adjustment backed right off and its easy to clip in and out and there is a good amount of "float"
    Veni Vidi cyclo I came I saw I cycled
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  • simon_e
    simon_e Posts: 1,707
    Mrs_Ragbrutty wrote:
    3) I was advised by tri friends to use cleats that allow more float
    Was it them that told you SPDs have no float? If so I suggest you trade those friends in for some new ones. Anyway, everyone knows that most triathletes know sod all about cycling ;)
    Mrs_Ragbrutty wrote:
    I am pidgeon toed and have inward facing patella which makes set up more awkward than it should be.
    In which case you would be better off asking a bikefit specialist, not this forum or your friends.
    Aspire not to have more, but to be more.
  • nich
    nich Posts: 888
    also be aware that some SPD cleats only clip one way (black I think - not heard of it until it was mentioned on here a while back) the silver ones are universal and I'd guess floatier.

    Yikes. I'm going to check if this is true, as I fitted some old (but unused) cleats to some new shoes I got today.

    I noticed they were black, but I thought it was just to look cool.

    My previous ones were silver...interesting :)

    I would just echo the point about trying different tensions. Wiith the tension set to almost the lowest setting, I can freely angle my feet in/out quite a lot.

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