Cleat positioning

ChunkyMonkey · 03-03-2007, 09:24 PM

This looks interesting.

Bio-mxc

I was out riding today for about three hours of XC on Seymour. Ended on Bottletop, and found that my calves were very tired when I stood up. I don't usually feel this on long rides (or short ones), but today I was back to clipless for the first time in over 2 years. I usually ride in flats for everything but road.

This could be an interesting experiment to see of calf strain can be reduced without losing power on long rides.

Discuss.

Turn7 · 03-07-2007, 01:50 AM

Interesting.
I've read lots about the ball of the foot being THE area for power.
Now this?....

Do you know who is riding this set up?
They mentioned Tour Riders.....
Even the Metatarsal joint,which is about half way between 'normal' and this new system, seems too far back for the purists.

I'm curious....

sanrensho · 03-07-2007, 02:38 AM

The arch thing is extreme, but the Cyclingnews fitness experts have been recommending a cleat position that is somewhat behind the ball of the foot.

Hack On Wheels · 03-07-2007, 02:54 AM

Well, I know I have the cleats slammed as far to the back as possible on my shoes, and they still aren't where I want them. However, I always thought that was just due to my being used to flats and that there was some benefit to having the cleats placed futher forward. If rearward cleat placement is just as efficient/powerful (or better) I will laugh. And I would love to pick up a pair of clipless shoes with a more comfortable (for me) cleat placement option.

Joe Dick · 03-07-2007, 04:24 AM

I run my cleat just behind the ball of my foot. maybe it's because I've been running clippless for 10 years, but the odd time I use flats, my foot placement is simmiler. I find it hard to peddle circles with my arch centered on the peddle.

ChunkyMonkey · 03-07-2007, 04:42 AM

Tried this positioning out on Sunday with my flats and my calves weren't nearly as tired even after the huge push through the snow.

At the end of the ride, we had to spin about 3k back into town. It felt a little different at first, but was easy to get used to. I'll be looking for a used pair of road shoes to experiment with this summer.

Hack On Wheels · 03-07-2007, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Dick

I run my cleat just behind the ball of my foot. maybe it's because I've been running clippless for 10 years, but the odd time I use flats, my foot placement is simmiler. I find it hard to peddle circles with my arch centered on the peddle.

That's interesting, makes sense too. I have found myself to be slowly getting used to the foot position with my clipless, but it sure would be nice to have the option of moving cleats further back atleast for rougher riding as I still do not entirely trust myself with the extra leverage put on my ankle; maybe I just need more supporting muscle?

0_o · 03-07-2007, 07:15 AM

I would really like to see a manufacturer design a shoe with a 2 cleats per shoe. One under the ball for climbs and another midfoot for descents.

03-03-2007, 09:24 PM	#1
ChunkyMonkey Slayer'n it! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Currently at large Posts: 2,257 Rep Power: 255767	Cleat positioning This looks interesting. Bio-mxc I was out riding today for about three hours of XC on Seymour. Ended on Bottletop, and found that my calves were very tired when I stood up. I don't usually feel this on long rides (or short ones), but today I was back to clipless for the first time in over 2 years. I usually ride in flats for everything but road. This could be an interesting experiment to see of calf strain can be reduced without losing power on long rides. Discuss.

03-07-2007, 01:50 AM	#2
Turn7 spinnin Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: coquitlam Posts: 337 Rep Power: 312521	Interesting. I've read lots about the ball of the foot being THE area for power. Now this?.... Do you know who is riding this set up? They mentioned Tour Riders..... Even the Metatarsal joint,which is about half way between 'normal' and this new system, seems too far back for the purists. I'm curious.... __________________

03-07-2007, 02:38 AM	#3
sanrensho Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NV Posts: 7,137 Rep Power: 592698	The arch thing is extreme, but the Cyclingnews fitness experts have been recommending a cleat position that is somewhat behind the ball of the foot. __________________ "The song of a bird...We used to ask Ennesson to do bird calls. He could do them. How he could do them, and when he perished, along with him went all those birds..."-Return from the Stars, Stanislaw Lem "We just walk around, and sometimes we go out and dance, and then we listen to the environment."-Ralf Hutter, Kraftwerk

03-07-2007, 02:54 AM	#4
Hack On Wheels Team Ewok Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Searching for the Holy Grail Posts: 3,767 Rep Power: 188858	Well, I know I have the cleats slammed as far to the back as possible on my shoes, and they still aren't where I want them. However, I always thought that was just due to my being used to flats and that there was some benefit to having the cleats placed futher forward. If rearward cleat placement is just as efficient/powerful (or better) I will laugh. And I would love to pick up a pair of clipless shoes with a more comfortable (for me) cleat placement option. __________________ 22 Pride

03-07-2007, 04:24 AM	#5
Joe Dick JVLC Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: 15 beer into a 6 pack Posts: 1,722 Rep Power: 1774990	I run my cleat just behind the ball of my foot. maybe it's because I've been running clippless for 10 years, but the odd time I use flats, my foot placement is simmiler. I find it hard to peddle circles with my arch centered on the peddle. __________________ Just a speculative fiction. No cause for alarm.

03-07-2007, 04:42 AM	#6
ChunkyMonkey Slayer'n it! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Currently at large Posts: 2,257 Rep Power: 255767	Tried this positioning out on Sunday with my flats and my calves weren't nearly as tired even after the huge push through the snow. At the end of the ride, we had to spin about 3k back into town. It felt a little different at first, but was easy to get used to. I'll be looking for a used pair of road shoes to experiment with this summer.

03-07-2007, 07:15 AM	#8
0_o .tpiR Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 7,545 Rep Power: 4169911	I would really like to see a manufacturer design a shoe with a 2 cleats per shoe. One under the ball for climbs and another midfoot for descents.

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