Float Or Not?

[LiveStrong]

What are the advantages and disadvantages of having cleats with float?

Are they better with or without?

 

[LiveStrong]

BUMP

 

[JNR]

If you are starting off I would suggest going with float, just in case. I suppose purists would argue that there doesn't need any room for float but since getting my road bike I've dialled just about everything in, changed stem length by 20mm, seat and handlebar height and angle, all sorts of stuff and I haven't bothered with pedals because they work just fine with float in them and set with a low tension in the spring. I've never accidentally unclipped, all is good.

I've got Shimano SPD-SL with the yellow cleat for float.

 

[ajb]

I "have float" never tried the ones with "no float"
A couple of friends have used "no float" and have had knee pains with them,
changed over and have been fine.
I think the float is a bit more forgiving on the knees.

 

[LiveStrong]

If you are starting off I would suggest going with float, just in case. I suppose purists would argue that there doesn't need any room for float but since getting my road bike I've dialled just about everything in, changed stem length by 20mm, seat and handlebar height and angle, all sorts of stuff and I haven't bothered with pedals because they work just fine with float in them and set with a low tension in the spring. I've never accidentally unclipped, all is good.

I've got Shimano SPD-SL with the yellow cleat for float.

Thanks, just what i was looking for especially since you are on SPD SL's

 

[LiveStrong]

I "have float" never tried the ones with "no float"
A couple of friends have used "no float" and have had knee pains with them,
changed over and have been fine.
I think the float is a bit more forgiving on the knees.

Good to hear, i have had bad knees for a while and it would be good to put less strain on them

 

[Judderz]

Can someone explain the float thing though...reason I ask, switched from generic cleats and pedals to Look Keo...and broke the tip off one of my cleats, so need another set of cleats and was looking at some more Look ones, some had no float, some with 4.5degree float, some with 9 degree float....so what is float??

 

[LiveStrong]

Can someone explain the float thing though...reason I ask, switched from generic cleats and pedals to Look Keo...and broke the tip off one of my cleats, so need another set of cleats and was looking at some more Look ones, some had no float, some with 4.5degree float, some with 9 degree float....so what is float??

I may be wrong but i think it is the amount that your foot can move when on the pedal

 

[monnet]

Float - The amount of movement that the cleat allows you while clipped into the pedal. Zero float means your foot is locked in place. I ride with float on my winter/ commuter shoes but zero float on my summer/ race shoes.

To be honest I quite like the zero float but you have to be very precise with the set up to avoid the previously mentioned knee problems and the benefits are minimal really. I feel I get a bit more power down and feel better connected to the bike but how real that feeling actually is, is anyone's guess. I'd say the track is the only place where zero float is essential. It might be useful for road racing but I know enough people riding much further up the categories than me who are riding Shimano yellow to indicate it's just personal preference.

It's also worth noting that, on Shimano at least, you can alter the pedal tension and that can take out alot of the float as well.

 

[LiveStrong]

Float - The amount of movement that the cleat allows you while clipped into the pedal. Zero float means your foot is locked in place. I ride with float on my winter/ commuter shoes but zero float on my summer/ race shoes.

To be honest I quite like the zero float but you have to be very precise with the set up to avoid the previously mentioned knee problems and the benefits are minimal really. I feel I get a bit more power down and feel better connected to the bike but how real that feeling actually is, is anyone's guess. I'd say the track is the only place where zero float is essential. It might be useful for road racing but I know enough people riding much further up the categories than me who are riding Shimano yellow to indicate it's just personal preference.

It's also worth noting that, on Shimano at least, you can alter the pedal tension and that can take out alot of the float as well.

Best Explanation

 

[Judderz]

Float - The amount of movement that the cleat allows you while clipped into the pedal. Zero float means your foot is locked in place. I ride with float on my winter/ commuter shoes but zero float on my summer/ race shoes.

To be honest I quite like the zero float but you have to be very precise with the set up to avoid the previously mentioned knee problems and the benefits are minimal really. I feel I get a bit more power down and feel better connected to the bike but how real that feeling actually is, is anyone's guess. I'd say the track is the only place where zero float is essential. It might be useful for road racing but I know enough people riding much further up the categories than me who are riding Shimano yellow to indicate it's just personal preference.

It's also worth noting that, on Shimano at least, you can alter the pedal tension and that can take out alot of the float as well.

Cheers monnet