Originally Posted by
Giro
This is only one study, limited to competetive cyclists, and did not try a given cleat location over several weeks or months to see if differrences developed, but for what its worth here is one published objective study in the peer reviewed scientific literature (anterior = towards the front or toes of the foot):
Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2009 Dec;4(4):517-23.
Effects of shoe cleat position on physiology and performance of competitive cyclists.
Paton CD.
Faculty of Health & Sport Science, Eastern Institute of Technology, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.
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I think putting cleats wherever you find comfortable is quite reasonable.
I'll call the study relatively useless regarding the type of cycling for which people typically consider heel-biased cleat placement. The study looked at performance over a 30 minute time trial when compared to a 30 minute baseline. Whoopty-doo. I can ride for 30 minutes on a borrowed bike that doesn't fit, in my dress loafers slipping around on the bottom of the clipless pedals.
The real benefit to heel-bias cleat placement comes into play during touring, long distance riding and endurance racing, when you're spending 10 - 20 (or more) hours a day on the bike. The additional effort of supporting your heel on every pedal stroke with a toe-biased cleat placement can cause RSI.