Cleat Position

Derek Zoolander

Quick query on the cleat position, took my new bike out for a spin yesterday and after the spin my look keo cleats have moved from the angle at which I set them up (around a 35% angle off vertical which I setup as per lines on the soles of the shoes) back to a vertical position on the soles of the shoes...can't say I had any pain but not sure if the current position that they are in is ok...

see below for current position after my spin...

question is should I change the position back to a more angled setup...

Zorba

Derek Zoolander wrote: »

Quick query on the cleat position, took my new bike out for a spin yesterday and after the spin my look keo cleats have moved from the angle at which I set them up (around a 35% angle off vertical which I setup as per lines on the soles of the shoes) back to a vertical position on the soles of the shoes...can't say I had any pain but not sure if the current position that they are in is ok...

see below for current position after my spin...

question is should I change the position back to a more angled setup...

Depends on whether u had them angled before and found them comfortable. If u go out with the cleats a little lose they will naturally settle in the correct position for your pedalling style in fact this is what u should do when u get new cleats and aren't sure where to position them. Other thing is make sure the ball of your foot is over the pedal axle. Are they black, red or grey cleats ? The black ones are the ones you'd need to be sure are in the correct position because they've no play in them whereas the others give u a bit more leeway.

Derek Zoolander

gray cleats, so there's 4.5 degress float....

they seemed ok, no pain or anything but I only went for a 40 minute spin...will go for a longer one today and see how the feel..cheers,

lukester

Derek Zoolander wrote: »

question is should I change the position back to a more angled setup...

Why did you set them up at an angle in the first place? Do you have a foot alignment that requires it?

Be careful with cleat mis-alignment, it can cause lots of knee problems.

Lumen

As long as you can feel a bit of float each way (in and out of the saddle) then I'd say the cleats are set up fine.

Maybe do the "hanging feet" thing if in doubt.

**Timbuk2**

Your cleats shouldn't move from the position you put them in!

Make sure that they are really tight - I've seen people who only half tighten their cleats and then go out for a cycle and the force of your foot pulling upwards pulls the cleats out of the shoe completely, leaving the cleat stuck in the pedal on its own (very difficult to get out).

Mind you, they were 2-bolt SPD cleats but I'm sure the same applies.

paddyb

I wouldnt set them up angled as your legs wouldnt be spinning in their natural way. The setup in your pic looks about right

lukester

paddyb wrote: »

I wouldnt set them up angled as your legs wouldnt be spinning in their natural way.

One man's natural is another man's arseways. Spoke to a physio who has seen cleats at all sorts of bizarre angles, to allow for feet that don't point straight ahead while pedalling.

On the hanging feet test business, another physio (I've seen a few) recommended when hanging your legs over a table to check their alignment, to crouch forward in this position, as if on the bike, as this may change the foot alignment. Typically it will rotate them outwards slightly.

**Timbuk2**

When I first switched to clipless pedals, I set my cleats to point straight forward, as if a line ran from the toe of the shoe to the heel, bisecting the shoe and the cleat.

This was fine until I did a 100km cycle, where I started feeling pain on the outside of my knees. I angled my cleats slightly outwards and the problem was solved.

jefferson73

I'd recommend you purchase one of these

clicky!

I was so impressed with ergonomics of the bd1 bag that i got
the cleat tool, frankly amazily accurate, made a big difference over
long distances, in output and comfort.

quietobserver

once you get them right. (your position looks ok ) mark around them with some tipex.
after a few spins you will know very quickly if they are still moving.

Spins

jefferson73 wrote: »

I'd recommend you purchase one of these

clicky!

I was so impressed with ergonomics of the bd1 bag that i got
the cleat tool, frankly amazily accurate, made a big difference over
long distances, in output and comfort.

How much was the cleat tool and is there a similar one for Look pedals?

Bunnyhopper

SPD or KEO, £18.99/€22.08 from CRC

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=37987