Knee pain and cleat position

[jarlrmai]

I mean the security of the feet on the pedals.

If only there was a way they could be even more secure.

Seriously though for me it's more the confidence thing than a power thing.

 

[Globalti]

I love being clipped to the pedals, it increases my feeling of security and my ability to spin, as well as keeping me in contact with the bike when I blast over a rough patch at speed.

 

[Racing roadkill]

I say a good set of flats as they're generally more secure than cheap moulded plastic ones that come with the bike.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNedIJBZpgM



View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFgHaMHeKyM


1 test shows clipless more efficient, one showing flats as more efficient. Both tests are extremely close suggesting that the difference between them is negligible.

Note that my original claim was NOT that there was NO performance benefit, but that IF there is one, that it is negligible. Several academic articles also show the differences are between the two in terms of pedalling efficiency also show very tiny differences.

Those videos were baloney when they were new, they are baloney that's well past it's sell by date now. If what they were trying to say was true, I'd expect the Pro Peloton would have adopted flats by now. Flats, they are quite clearly the way forward .

 

[iggibizzle]

Have you had knee pain before? When the weather gets cooler, not by much , but just a bit, I get knee pains. I have a history of knee injuries from my football days. Knee warmers on yesterday and did a pretty tough 55mile very hilly ride with no pain. Didn't have them on on Saturday or today, on a normal commute - knee pains.

 

[S-Express]

If what they were trying to say was true, I'd expect the Pro Peloton would have adopted flats by now. Flats, they are quite clearly the way forward .

I think you're missing the point. For secure foot retention, you can't beat clip-in - that's the reason why most 'regular' cyclists go for them. For power production, most studies show that the vast majority of power is produced on the downstroke, and that someone on flats is not at a disadvantage in power terms.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

Those videos were baloney when they were new, they are baloney that's well past it's sell by date now. If what they were trying to say was true, I'd expect the Pro Peloton would have adopted flats by now. Flats, they are quite clearly the way forward .

No.......... Cleats are superior, especially for racing. If I was going to be stood up, in the rain, sprinting. I'd certainly prefer to be clipped to the pedal! But actual power production or efficiency, the difference over flats is negligible.

 

[SuperHans123]

Looks like he is bent double most of the time. Does not look at all comfortable to me.

 

[bonsaibilly]

For setting cleat position sit on a table and let your feet hang naturally, whatever angle your feet are at is how you want to set the cleats so they the same when clipped in. My feet naturally hang with toe pointed out slightly so I twist the cleat to allow for this.

That works fine unless your natural position would leave your heels banging the chainstays each stroke. bb

 

[S-Express]

That works fine unless your natural position would leave your heels banging the chainstays each stroke. bb

 

[bonsaibilly]

Are those by DHB for Wiggle?

 

[Ajax Bay]

So you don't think cleats are worth it, compared to a 'good set of flats', but a good set of flats are "more secure than cheap moulded plastic ones". Surely these are data points on a spectrum of [foot/pedal) security?

Do you need to use cleats. Unless you're doing a significant amount of stand up sprinting you're not really gaining anything over a good set of flats.

The OP made no mention of using clipless because they allowed him/her to transfer more power to the drive train. More likely he/she valued the security they offer.

Cleats are superior . . . . I'd certainly prefer to be clipped to the pedal! But actual power production or efficiency, the difference over flats is negligible.

Cleats offer a more secure connection between the shoes and the pedals. Many riders value this benefit: they are, contrary to your claim (above), 'gaining something'. Others prefer the freedom to step away from the pedals without having to twist their lower leg and are prepared to put up with the occasional shin abrasions and slip/lurch/maybe fall when their foot slips off a pedal (normally when force is being applied to said pedal.

 

[bonsaibilly]

 

[PhilDawson8270]

That works fine unless your natural position would leave your heels banging the chainstays each stroke. bb

My left is fine. My right is twisted enough that my heel hits the chain stay constantly. I need about 20mm of spacer on the right pedal to use cleats. Forcing it "straight" results in terrible pain

 

[bonsaibilly]

So you don't think cleats are worth it, compared to a 'good set of flats', but a good set of flats are "more secure than cheap moulded plastic ones". Surely these are data points on a spectrum of [foot/pedal) security?

The OP made no mention of using clipless because they allowed him/her to transfer more power to the drive train. More likely he/she valued the security they offer.

Cleats offer a more secure connection between the shoes and the pedals. Many riders value this benefit: they are, contrary to your claim (above), 'gaining something'. Others prefer the freedom to step away from the pedals without having to twist their lower leg and are prepared to put up with the occasional shin abrasions and slip/lurch/maybe fall when their foot slips off a pedal (normally when force is being applied to said pedal.

I thought it was clear that he meant gaining as in straight performance terms. Did you not? bb

 

[Ajax Bay]

Do you need to use cleats. Unless you're doing a significant amount of stand up sprinting you're not really gaining anything over a good set of flats.

I thought it was clear that he meant gaining as in straight performance terms. Did you not? bb

Where's the clarity in Phil's question/original comment (above) that allows you to make such an assumption? I suspect most of us have had a 'crutch and top tube coming together moment' after slipping off a pedal, accelerating away from a traffic lights, for example, and likely shin scrapes to remind us to take care next time.