Cleat position

JeffPaul

I recently sold my MTB bike and bought a cross bike. I put my Shimano XTR pedals on the cross bike which were on my MTB bike. I am also using my Giro MTB shoes when riding. After about 6 rides (mainly gravel grinding) I have found I climb really well on the cross bike. I especially notice it when doing standing climbs. The pedal stroke seems much more fluid and easy but yet also strong. I have never had that feeling on my road bike. That said I decided to put my XTR pedals on one of my road bikes and took a test ride yesterday. The difference is noticeable!

So obviously the factor would seem to be cleat position. I want to try and "transfer" the position from my MTB shoes to my road Sidi shoes. Does anyone know of a good resources do help facilitate this? I assume there are some measurements I can take which might help finding the same contact point between the two?

The feeling I am getting is that the MTB shoe/cleat is closer to mid-foot than my road shoe/cleat is. I am slammed as far in the aft position I can go with my road cleat but it doesn't seem to be enough.

Dippydog2

It may be that your bike setup is different so it feels different.

If it's not that then it may well be cleat position. There are lots of videos on you tube explaining how to measure yourself and set up the cleats. Have a watch . I am sure you will be able to copy it.

The simplest I found was taping a screw of something on the outer edges of your foot and then marking the shoes either side on the outside by feeling where the screw is. By joining the lines underneath the shoe you can position the cleat in the same place.

The Mechanic

I have my SPD cleats further back than my SPD-SL ones. I ride SPD pedals on my audax cum touring bike and SPD-SL on my road bike. When I change from one to the other I really notice the differing foot position in relation to the pedal spindle. The problem is that I have the SPD-SL cleats as far back as they will go but I would really like them a few mm further back.

cougie

The last news I heard on cleat position was as far forward as possible ?

Bar Shaker

The options will suit different leg strengths.

Far forward will allow the ankle and foot to play more part in the pedal stroke.

Right back will reduce the risk of damaging your Achilles but means the upper leg muscles play a bigger role.

I am just starting to ride again after my leg break and have set my cleats full back. I have zero calf muscle left (I haven't walked for 4 months and cannot stand on the ball of my foot on my damaged leg) and this feels comfortable and allows me to ride.

Some years I damaged my Achilles by riding with them set full forward as an experiment. The cleat position felt fantastic and I did a PB ride. The next day I was in so much pain that I didn't end up riding for 6 weeks. Be careful if moving them a long way forward.

I use SPD cleats on XTR pedals.

CXrider

Also, and not a lot of people know this...:)
Different pedals and cleats can alter the length from the pedal/foot connection up to the seat post.
E.g. I bought some Richey V4 Pro pedals which has the cleat very low on the spindle itself practically, which is a good CM lower than previous pedals. Add this to cleats being higher up in a new show and the difference could mean sore knees, bum or back.