Another clipless noob with an issue
cowboyjon
Posts: 89
After cycling for 14 months on flat pedals I finally took the plunge and bought some clipless shoes and pedals.
I knew they'd feel weird but I managed to get through my first session on the turbo trainer where I am going to use them for a wee while to get familiar before trying them on the road.
My main issue is it feels almost like i am pedalling with my toes due to the cleat position. This is obviously because I have always pedalled with my foot further back near my arches on the flat pedals.
They are spd pedals with dhb carbon shoes and yup indeedy I have the cleats positioned as far back as possible to try and mitigate the issue but I feel like I could still be doing with them a further 10mm back.
Anyone help with this 1st world problem?
I knew they'd feel weird but I managed to get through my first session on the turbo trainer where I am going to use them for a wee while to get familiar before trying them on the road.
My main issue is it feels almost like i am pedalling with my toes due to the cleat position. This is obviously because I have always pedalled with my foot further back near my arches on the flat pedals.
They are spd pedals with dhb carbon shoes and yup indeedy I have the cleats positioned as far back as possible to try and mitigate the issue but I feel like I could still be doing with them a further 10mm back.
Anyone help with this 1st world problem?
0
Posts
Some shoes may offer more positioning options than others, but there won't be any that allow you to fix cleats anywhere near where you would like, by the sound of it..
Stick with the clipless and you will soon find that it becomes second nature. Everyone else manages, and we can't all be wrong!!!
I know I'm wrong but I don't know why.
I'd love for someone to explain it like I'm 5!
Not being funny, but you may be more likely to accept it if you researched it yourself - there is a wealth of information out there on pedalling dynamics, foot positioning and other issues, all with plenty of science behind it.
That's what we have tried to do.
You don't want to flex your ankle when pedalling?
You don't want to use your calf muscles when pedalling????
Have you considered an e-bike?
Or a car?
Ah. The old 'why don't you go away and research the subject instead of wasting our valuable time" Internet guy.
This is a public forum pal, where people specifically come to to ask questions. If everyone took the same arrogant piss-hump like you this forum would cease to exist.
Jesus wept, sorry I asked.
Fook me gently, nevermind.
You will not accept anything that contradicts your firmly held belief that you are right and the rest of the world is wrong.
There are big multinational companies who have invested £millions into clipless technology and pedalling dynamics. There is a vast amount of info freely available on the subject but you seem to believe that everyone is out of step except yourself.
We are trying to help you so please don't throw our efforts back in our faces.
You are wrong and will have to change or go back to your frankly quite silly way of propelling a bike.
Listen I'm really sorry but before going forward I feel like I should ask if you are mentally impaired in some way because you seem to be putting some rather large words in my mouth. Are you confusing what I have come on here to ask with some other argument you have had somewhere else online?
I haven't for one single second refuted the fact that I have been doing it wrong, all I asked is if someone could explain it to me like I'm 5 which evidently has insulted some trolls sensibilities on the Internet.
Just to clear this up for you here's the direct quote from myself to save you looking up the page, "I know I'm wrong but I don't know why".
Nice response. I just meant that generally speaking, people are far more likely to accept/retain information they learn for themselves. Pedalling is not a 'dark art', there is no secret to it and the information you are asking for is widely available and easily accessible online. But you want it explaining to you 'like you are a five year old' - and ironically you are actually behaving like one.
Also try sprinting or climbing out of the saddle with your instep on the pedal. It doesn’t work.
Thanks dude. Sounds about right.
Other than that, I regret posting anything.
Good old forums.
I've just reported you to the mods.
You are a pillock and don't deserve any help.
Thanks dude. Appreciate it.
What the hell are you talking about?
You have attacked me for things I literally have not said - the words are all there.
You're the one who kicked off with the verbal abuse, 'cowboy'...
I am not sure. You have no chance.
translate that to pedalling each pedal is a long jump hitting the board but instead its a pedal, pedal with your arch, you are pedalling flat footed, and damaging a bunch of nerves, pedal with your toe, theres too much flex you are losing power in translating the leg action which is thigh muscle really because thats the biggest most powerful leg muscle, calf is about holding your foot in position IMO though Id accept I could be wrong on that.
the biggest strain it puts on your feet is really the achilles because its that you use to try to hold your foot in the same place but the circular motion means its always actually moving, but some people with poor bike fits may well end up pedalling heel down which puts extra strain on their calf/achilles and their foot may well feel more comfortable nearer the arch to compensate
so its probably a combination of getting the right bike fit and ball joint pedalling you need to look at.
I'm guessing with the pedal under the forefoot you get a bit of extra power from contracting the calf muscle as you point your toes down...
As keef66 says, there are numerous contradictory views to the ball of foot over pedal spindle approach, and Steve Hogg has written some good articles on this. Also see https://www.bikejames.com/strength/do-y ... you-pedal/
It's worth persisting with what works for you - even if one method works for 90+%, it's still only a good starting point. Good luck, John
Thanks for sharing, that's an excellent article!
So far I have done 4 turbo sessions with these new clipless affairs and I have managed to get through despite also raising the intensity by 8% at the same time.
Initially I thought upping the session difficulty aswell as switching to clipless would be a struggle but I got through it.
I am definitely experiencing some piercing calf cramps due to the new foot position I am forcing my body to learn but that's to be expected in the beginning.
Another week or two getting used to them indoors and I'll head onto the road with them and see if they are all they're cracked up to be.
I don't use mid-foot cleats, but there are high profile coaches and fitters that recommend it (Joe Friel for one). Some info here from Steve Hogg https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bikefit/2011/04/power-to-the-pedal-cleat-position/#targetText=Midfoot%20cleat%20position%20is%20when,drawn%20on%20the%20foot%20below.
I have three pairs of road shoes - Mavic Rapha and Fizik. The Fizik are the only ones where I've had to drill the soles to get the aft position that feels best for me.
This is the Beginners section ffs! If people can't post 'noobie' questions on here where can they?
I've been using and enjoying the new setup indoors for the last 2 or 3 weeks and on Saturday I ventured outside for the first time.
Got on pretty good - I didn't set out to knock my pan in but ended up setting some pb's and even claimed a KOM on strava in my weight class.
Unfortunately I arrived home with the back of my left knee hurting a bit. Nothing major, or so I thought.
The next morning when I woke up I realised it was actually a fairly serious injury to the knee biceps femoris that looks like it will keep me off the bike for the forseable future. At a guess I'd say I've pulled or torn a tendon back there and I'm going to have to visit a sports physio to get it properly diagnosed.
I am beyond gutted.
My training had been going stupidly well up until this point and I'm now looking at losing all that hard earned power and fitness.