I installed clipless pedals (Shimano SPD) on my recumbent on Friday. I took it for a short spin, and I found it difficult to adjust to.

I rode the "wedgie" bike all weekend, with plain platform pedals, and didn't get around to riding the recumbent for any distance.

Yesterday evening, I took the recumbent for a 28 mile ride. I'm still having problems clipping the 2nd foot in once I get moving. I did okay with unclipping, other than one stop where I slowly fell over. Yes, it was embarrassing.

Anyway, I think I need to adjust the cleat position. I started out with the cleats pretty much in the center of where they can be. They feel like they are way too far forward. If I move them all of the way back, they'll still feel too far forward... have I just been pedaling incorrectly all this time? Should I move them back some, and just get used to it?

If anyone has advice on cleat position, or getting clipped in, I'd be grateful.

Very general advice for foot position on bicycle pedals is the ball of the foot over the axle.

Have you adjusted the tension on the pedals to the loosest setting (-) to make getting in and out easier?

Very general advice for foot position on bicycle pedals is the ball of the foot over the axle.

Have you adjusted the tension on the pedals to the loosest setting (-) to make getting in and out easier?

I did loosen the tension, but not to the loosest... maybe I'll try loosening some more.

The cleat position seems to put the ball of my foot over the axle, it just doesn't seem comfortable. I guess I've just been doing it wrong. I might also try moving the cleats back a little. Baby steps :)

Thanks!

I did loosen the tension, but not to the loosest... maybe I'll try loosening some more.

The cleat position seems to put the ball of my foot over the axle, it just doesn't seem comfortable. I guess I've just been doing it wrong. I might also try moving the cleats back a little. Baby steps :)

Thanks!

I have seen recommendations to move the cleats back further on the shoe for recumbent riding versus upright riding. Never tried that myself.

I have seen recommendations to move the cleats back further on the shoe for recumbent riding versus upright riding. Never tried that myself.

Hmmm....

I've been busy, so I didn't move the cleats. I did quickly loosen the tension a little more before a quick errand, and it did seem easier to get clipped in. It was only a 3 mile ride though.

I'll probably be playing with the adjustments for weeks before I'm happy... or chuck them out a window and put the platform pedals back on. :)

One of the arguments to have cleat position further back is to prevent/lessen hotfoot.

btw. If your still having problems clipping in and out and your budget can stretch to it consider speedplay frogs, i have them on my HiRacer, there stupidly easy to get in and out of

One of the arguments to have cleat position further back is to prevent/lessen hotfoot.

btw. If your still having problems clipping in and out and your budget can stretch to it consider speedplay frogs, i have them on my HiRacer, there stupidly easy to get in and out of

I looked at the frogs... I bought the SPD instead... <sigh>

I will move the cleats back tonight. I rode 18 miles this morning, and I did have a bit of foot discomfort, but not as bad as I did on Monday.

I'm not having nearly as much trouble getting in and out now that I've got the tension adjusted properly.

Thanks!

Now that you've gone clipless, you can practice pulling on the pedals instead of just pushing. Just add a little tug as each foot comes back around to get more power.

Now that you've gone clipless, you can practice pulling on the pedals instead of just pushing. Just add a little tug as each foot comes back around to get more power.

Yeah, actually I did that a few times on the way into work today. It eases the pressure on the foot :)

Now that you've gone clipless, you can practice pulling on the pedals instead of just pushing. Just add a little tug as each foot comes back around to get more power.

A technique that i read about was as your coming through the down stroke thruogh to the up stroke pretend your scraping mud (dog poo :D ) off the bottom of your shoe. Worked too when i tried it - kept forgetting to do it though