position of cleats?

[bubbles3]

I changed to clipless pedals on my summer bike this year. But the bike i have for winter still has the toe clip pedals on it.
The bike with clipless pedals is size small, while my winter bike is xs. I have been considering putting clipless pedals onto my winter bike.

Would the bike shoes i have suit both bikes without having to adjust the position of the cleats? Or as the bikes are different sizes would i have to adjust the position of the cleats when i swap bikes?

 

[the snail]

Would the bike shoes i have suit both bikes without having to adjust the position of the cleats? Or as the bikes are different sizes would i have to adjust the position of the cleats when i swap bikes?

Cleat position is down to the angles of your feet (whether they point left or right) and saddle height, which should be the same on both bikes.

 

[bubbles3]

Cleat position is down to the angles of your feet (whether they point left or right) and saddle height, which should be the same on both bikes.

Great. Thanks for the info. Looks like i'll be getting another set of clipless pedals, the cycling shoes are so much more comfortable than wearing a pair of running shoes.

Thanks again.

 

[NorthernSky]

Great. Thanks for the info. Looks like i'll be getting another set of clipless pedals, the cycling shoes are so much more comfortable than wearing a pair of running shoes.

Thanks again.

i currently use runnig shoes / toeclips. i find them comfy apart from when you stand up or need to apply a lot of pressure
going to switch to clipless though to at least see how i get on
did you switch ok? what did you go for?
what's the best way to set them up

 

[bubbles3]

i currently use runnig shoes / toeclips. i find them comfy apart from when you stand up or need to apply a lot of pressure
going to switch to clipless though to at least see how i get on
did you switch ok? what did you go for?
what's the best way to set them up

I went for the shimano 540 pedals, have them set to the easiest release level. Luckily the guy in LBS put the cleats onto my new cycling shoes (in a neutral position) and i only had to adjust the cleats on the right shoe slightly. Found a video on you tube showing how to do this.

I've found the clipless shoes so much more comfortable, especially on the hills were when i was wearing running shoes this seemed to really annoy the ball of my foot.

I'd definately recommend changing to clipless.

 

[bubbles3]

i currently use runnig shoes / toeclips. i find them comfy apart from when you stand up or need to apply a lot of pressure
going to switch to clipless though to at least see how i get on
did you switch ok? what did you go for?
what's the best way to set them up

Cruiser 31. The LBS was McConvey Cycles in Belfast. The guy was really helpful. Never having had a pair of cycling shoes before he was really helpful, explaining about what to look for in the fit etc and recommended the pedals. not the most expensive either. Purely on price i got another pair the pedals for my second bike from chain reaction £23.99,inc set of cleats for shoes. when i knew was i was looking for this was a great savings.

 

[Smurfy]

Or as the bikes are different sizes would i have to adjust the position of the cleats when i swap bikes?

Cleat adjustment should not be required, because the cleat position only determines how your foot is positioned over the pedal spindle. If the saddle position and seatpost height are adjusted correctly on both bikes, and the crank lengths are correct, everything should be fine.

As I understand cleat adjustment:

Fore/Aft adjustment: Changes the load experienced by your calf muscles. If you get calf muscle problems (e.g. cramp), consider moving the cleats aft (i.e. move your foot forward relative to the pedal spindle). I believe positioning the cleat a long way forward is only advantageous to sprinters (who need to use their ankle joint to help yank the lower-most pedal round at the bottom of the stroke). On some frames, toe-overlap can be a problem if the feet are a long way forward on the pedal (i.e. your feet will strike the wheel in low speed tight turns).

Interesting stuff on the mid-foot cleat position (starts a little more than 1/3 down the page)

More stuff on cleat positioning

Yaw (rotation) adjustment: May be important if you have sensitive knees. I have Shimano 520 pedals, I installed the cleats pointing straight fore/aft and haven't had any problems. My view is that these pedals have a lot (almost too much) float built in, to the extent that it shouldn't usually be necessary to rotate the cleats much (they have so much float it would be possible to pedal with my heel rubbing the crank without disengaging).

Release tension adjustment: I have mine set as slack as possible. They work fine, even on fixed-wheel, which is probably the severest test available.

 

[wisdom]

I use cleats on the road bike and find them excellent in every way.
On the hybrid commute bike i have toe clips with straps which are set fairly loose.This is the bike i use through winter due to mudguards etc.Now there is some wear in one of the pedals so i was thinking of going clipless on this as well.
I was thinking of using mtb cleats and shoes on this one as i use it for nipping to the shops and they would probably be better for walking in.
What is winter riding like with clipless pedals?If its a touch slippy i know i can get my feet down straight away with the current set up.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

What is winter riding like with clipless pedals?If its a touch slippy i know i can get my feet down straight away with the current set up.

Once you're used to clipless, unclipping becomes as instinctive as withdrawing your foot from toe clips. So just the same.
....It's just the interval between starting using them and getting used to using them that can be a bit problematic!

 

[nathanicola]

I have Shimano 520 pedals, I installed the cleats pointing straight fore/aft and haven't had any problems. My view is that these pedals have a lot (almost too much) float built in, to the extent that it shouldn't usually be necessary to rotate the cleats much (they have so much float it would be possible to pedal with my heel rubbing the crank without disengaging).

I don't think the pedals have float built in, its the cleats. You can get cleats with no float i think they are the ones with red on them rather than the yellow.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

I don't think the pedals have float built in, its the cleats. You can get cleats with no float i think they are the ones with red on them rather than the yellow.

I am not sure whether some cleats determine float - but float is defined by the number of degrees a foot can rotate before it becomes unclipped from the pedal - so normally it would be the pedal that would be described as having degrees float.

 

[2Loose]

I am not sure whether some cleats determine float - but float is defined by the number of degrees a foot can rotate before it becomes unclipped from the pedal - so normally it would be the pedal that would be described as having degrees float.

The pedal would have float with a 'normal' cleat...until a non-float cleat was used, which wouldn't allow for any cleat rotation.

 

[NorthernSky]

Cruiser 31. The LBS was McConvey Cycles in Belfast. The guy was really helpful. Never having had a pair of cycling shoes before he was really helpful, explaining about what to look for in the fit etc and recommended the pedals. not the most expensive either. Purely on price i got another pair the pedals for my second bike from chain reaction £23.99,inc set of cleats for shoes. when i knew was i was looking for this was a great savings.

that's a really good price. i've been looking at the look keo classic because you can get a cleat with 9degree float
i wanted something with the option of plenty of movement so my knees didn't take a battering

 

[NorthernSky]

i got a set of look pedals and cleats
just wondering about adjustment.
they have a little mark on the cleat which i believe should dissect the ball of your foot (bone that sticks out at inside of big toe)?
in turn this should dissect the pedal spindle?

in theory i guess i can do this without the shoe on, just clip it in?

 

[wisdom]

With shimano road pedals and cleats its the yellow ones that have the float.I think its 6 degrees.These are on my road bike and i find the float valuable on long distances.
I am thinking of getting some mtb clipless pedals and shoes for my hybrid(i need to walk a distance so need this set up).Do these have float as well.I was thinking of sticking with the shimano brand.