float

littleknown

hi, does float effect knee pain? im using xtr spds which seem to have a lot of float and am trying to change cleat position and pedal to attempt to alieve knee pain

so far i have moved the cleat position closer to the crank arm and lower on the shoe , below the ball of the foot, it is also poining slightly outwards, . from what i can see this should help knee pain on the outside of the knees.

i just had a doubt about float, a lot of articles say the more float the better while others say fixed with no float are better, any opinions?
thanks

LastGasp

Hi Littleknown, I was having knee pain (outside of both knees) with old fixed Look type pedals, and switched to Speedplay specifically because they allow a lot of float. It certainly worked for me, almost overnight - no pain. In my opinion float has to be a good thing - it allows your knees to find their most natural position.

DualFrontDiscs

+1

Float is good.

DFD.

niceonetom

Float is good. Unless you are one of the rare breed whose feet do not twist at all as you turn the pedals and you also have your cleat aligned perfectly, then you need float.

Knee pain can be as much related to saddle position as to pedal/cleat position.

furiousox

LastGasp wrote: »

Hi Littleknown, I was having knee pain (outside of both knees) with old fixed Look type pedals, and switched to Speedplay specifically because they allow a lot of float. It certainly worked for me, almost overnight - no pain. In my opinion float has to be a good thing - it allows your knees to find their most natural position.

Just wondering if you find that the Speedplays release quicker/easier than Look or SPD type pedals?

Just getting back on the bike after a nasty crash (broken shoulder) and l'm having some 'confidence issues' with ye olde clipless pedals.

nutzzz123

ok i am new to cycling so trying to get used to all the terminology........... what is float?

Raam

nutzzz123 wrote: »

ok i am new to cycling so trying to get used to all the terminology........... what is float?

It describes how when clipped in, you have some "wiggle room". Non-float cleats will keep your shoe totaly still with no left/right play.

DualFrontDiscs

Defers to Sheldon:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_e-f.html#float

Basically, clipless pedals 'lock' your feet to the pedals. Float relates to the amount of movement your foot/ ankle/ knee/ hip can make without 'unlocking' yourself from the pedal.

DFD

Smithzer

Slightly off topic but I am currently pondering buying a cleat alignment system from the States as a way to make a few extra €€'s in these economic times. A mate got his done by this system in Boston recently and recomends it highly.
I was wondering would this be something that people would be willing to pay for or would the average joe be happy to use trial and error until they got it right.

Any feedback appreciated.

S

ednwireland

stuck some 4.5 degree float cleats (look) on my shoes - had them lying around, always used 9 degree cleats. now into third week off the bike and regulaer physio (may be buying speedplays)

Lumen

In my inexpert opinion, you just need enough float so that you have a bit to spare as you cycle along.

I just align my cleats so that I'm in the middle of the float, so I have no risk of running out of float either way. This seems like the most obvious approach.