Cleat position on shoe
I'm looking at buying new shoes. I've read about the benefits of moving the cleat to the mid-foot instead of the ball of the foot: Joe Friel (http://www.trainingbible.com/joesblog/2007/01/cleat-position.html) and Steve Hogg recommend it (http://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com...-position/). Friel states his power-heart rate ratio improved 9% when riding with mid-foot cleats. Hogg states that mid-foot is better for long, sustained efforts and decreases the stresses on the calves (the "smallest muscle in the pedaling kinetic chain") leading to "increased performance when running off the bike".
Does anyone have experience with a mid-foot cleat? If so and you like it, do you have a recommendation for a shoe? Thanks in advance.
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That was roughly 2-3 months ago and although it solved my ITB issues, I cannot say for certain at this point that I notice any beneficial difference thus far. One caveat is that I've only been on the trainer at this point and my longest rides have been 2.5 hours. Hoping to be outdoor soon and extend the ride and maybe I will have more information at that point, but aside from comfort, I'm not sure I will notice anything.
I'm curious to see if anyone else has had any experience with this. Thanks for posting.
Bob...I've read the same thing many times. I don't do any "sprinting", so I have mine back as far as possible on both road and tri shoes. I haven't ever seen/heard of a shoe that is different from a standard shoe with regular cleat slots though. Are these different types of shoes?
Yes, I've noticed this on my new bike, but not sure if there is a subtle geometry difference between my old and new bikes. Regardless, it's only happened a couple times at very, very low speed (thinking making a very tight u-turn in a parking lot) so not really an issue.
As to the subject of the thread, I've had my cleats on all shoes slammed all the way back for years and years. No issues at all.
My toe will touch the wheel when at a stop, with the wheel turned, as I stand to start, until the wheel is oriented straight ahead. (ie....only when the wheel is really turned, which as Rich mentioned, is only possible at super-slow speeds or during a crash!).
I'm actually noticing this more, at very, very low speed, tight circles in a parking lot kinda thing. Not enough to change cleat position but I didn't have this on my old Calfee so...dunno.