Adjusting clipless road pedals for Charlie Chaplin feet

friedpizzainbatter

I was out riding this morning and I again noticed pain in my knee and foot on one side, I think this is because my foot is not sitting in it's natural position on the pedal, ie it is parallel to the bike which means my kneecap is actually pointing inwards.

So if this is in fact the cause of discomfort is there anyway of adjusting the pedal/shoe (105 SPD-SL), so that my foot sits more in it's natural position on the knee. I've looked down and at the moment I don't think there is enough clearance between the heel and the crank to make this adjustment, is there anyway to push the pedal further out to allow this sort of adjustment?

Has anybody had similar problems and how did they sort it?

Peddle Up!

Yes. I have exactly this "problem". If you search for messages from me you'll find quite a bit of detail on how I tackled it.

The original solution was to use stainless steel spacers to push the pedals out. My final solution was to use SpeedPlay pedals with longer axels, but these are fairly expensive.

I'm selling my spacers now so if that's of interest, send me a private message to discuss.

Bordersroadie

friedpizzainbatter wrote:

Has anybody had similar problems and how did they sort it?

Yes, me.

With great sadness I gave up cycling over 20 years ago after years of high mileage cycling. None of the physios/orthopaedic surgeons/sports injury specialists at the time could offer me a solution to my chronic knee pain and inflammation. They all said "give it up, mate".

21 years later (keeping myself active in other sports in the meantime) and I've been back cycling for a year, doing 4-500 miles a month. I'm 48 and (touch wood) no knee pain; I can hardly believe my luck.

The problem: back in the day I was using old style clips and cleats and didn't have the foot rotated to a toe-out position, hugely exacerbated by zero float in the old style pedal system.

The solution: SPDs. Shimano M540, MTB SPDs to be precise. After much research, only these or Speedplay offered me the pedal position I needed and the rotational adjustment of the cleat on the shoe.

I discounted Speedplays for various reasons (cost/practicality/application for all my bikes including MTB/ease of walking) and have not regretted the decision. I use Specialized S-Works MTB shoes which are the same as the super-stiff and light road equivalent so I have no disadvantages and lots of advantages, including the angled footbed ("BG") which really works for my knees.

I persevered with cleat position and found that moving the cleat back in the shoe as well as getting the left/right and rotaional position correct, was important in giving me a completely pain-free ride. I'm doing plenty of 100 mile rides these days and can't believe how well the old knees are holding out.

It's possible that there are other pedal systems that will offer you a solution but for me, I'm sticking with what works. Good luck with your own solution.

Peddle Up!

Bordersroadie wrote:

I use Specialized S-Works MTB shoes which are the same as the super-stiff and light road equivalent so I have no disadvantages and lots of advantages, including the angled footbed ("BG") which really works for my knees.

I'm doing plenty of 100 mile rides these days and can't believe how well the old knees are holding out.

I should add that I'm using Specialized BG shoes (angled footbed) with the SpeedPlay pedals which give me a sweet pedalling experience.

And yes, plenty of long rides here too, without pain (tempting fate :shock: ).

Paul E

I have finally got my left cleat spot on now, I jus had to keep rotating it will it's float meant it was in the centre of the pedal float wise

friedpizzainbatter

Thanks for the replies and helpful suggestions. After a bit of tinkering (have moved cleats closer to heal, and managed to move them a bit so my foot is more toward natural position) it's a lot more comfortable although my heel scuffs the crank occasionally, spacers might be the answer as cranks are nice and shiny at the moment and don't want them getting scuffed.
I've also discovered that part of the problem is I'm pushing through on the outside of my foot, if I focus on putting force more towards the middle the discomfort disappears quite quickly.

Peddle Up! wrote:

I'm selling my spacers now so if that's of interest, send me a private message to discuss.

).
Thanks, I think I've seen your spacers on ebay, they're on my watch list (Highpath Stainless Steel Pedal Spacers?). Going out again tomorrow, so will see how it goes and might bid.

Peddle Up!

friedpizzainbatter wrote:

Thanks, I think I've seen your spacers on ebay, they're on my watch list (Highpath Stainless Steel Pedal Spacers?). Going out again tomorrow, so will see how it goes and might bid.

Yes, those are the ones.