Originally Posted by
91MF
moving your cleats back puts less strain on your ankles. its really just simple physics - you gain mechanical advantage by moving the fulcrum[the cleat] back on the lever[your foot] to shorten the distance to the point where force is applied[your ankle] to the lever.
make sure your shoes are properly fitted and tight. having them loose is nearly defeating the purpose of clipless setups. might as well go back to clips and straps.
Ankle strain is not an issue.
This is off the original topic, but I have found looser shoes are much more comfortable for commuting, particularly in warmer weather. My shoes already have a little extra room for cooler weather/thicker socks, so in the summer, they run even looser and work just fine. I could tighten up the straps, but as long as my foot stays in the shoe, I don't see what is to be gained by having tight shoes. In fact, I think feet benefit by having additional circulation with a looser shoe.
Fast group rides and racing are another matter, and there are good reasons to go a little tighter there.