Cramp and cleat position?

[Jamie_C]

Hi everyone,

Firstly I hope I've posted this thread in the right section, my apologies if I haven't.

I don't really consider myself a beginner as I have several years of experience.. But I've just started cycling again having been off my bike for about 12 years and I have a problem I hope someone can help me with. I can't remember where on my cycling shoes I had my cleats positioned and my experimentation is giving me mixed results.

I know that everyone is different when it comes to cleat positioning and that there is quite a range of opinion when it comes to their exact position. I've been on 4 rides since getting back on my bike and I've experimented a little with the positioning of my cleats. I started out with them as far back towards the heel as they would go. This felt OK, but after my ride, my quads and hamstrings were really sore but my calves felt fine. I wondered if the position of the cleats meant that my calves weren't doing any work so I've gradually been moving them forwards.

Tonight, (with the cleats positioned about halfway) I started to get cramp in both calves towards the end of my ride. My question is; Is this a good sign or a bad one? Clearly my calves are now being brought into the equation, but surely they shouldn't be cramping during a 20 mile ride? My saddle position is fine so I don't think that is effecting anything.

Thoughts anyone?

Jamie

 

[musa]

what shoes and cleats are you using?

 

[User6179]

Cleats to far forward by sound of it , If your cycling on your toes your calfs are going to hurt .
Try them in a middle/neutral positon and you should be adjusting the seat when you adjust the cleats.

 

[Jamie_C]

what shoes and cleats are you using?

Wow! Thank you for the quick replies.


I'm using "Specialized Sport 2013" Road Shoes and" Shimano SH11 SPD-SL" Cleats.

Jamie

 

[musa]

bit of a long process but five minute job.

put some leccy tape alongside the side of your big toes. with a pen draw a line where the bone is.
on the cleat there is a recess on the edge of the cleat, using that line drawn move it *recessed part of the cleat) back 10-15mm (15 is the measurement but as a guideline use that range)

 

[Jamie_C]

bit of a long process but five minute job.

put some leccy tape alongside the side of your big toes. with a pen draw a line where the bone is.
on the cleat there is a recess on the edge of the cleat, using that line drawn move it *recessed part of the cleat) back 10-15mm (15 is the measurement but as a guideline use that range)

Many thanks I'll give that a try!

 

[musa]