Originally Posted by
MinnMan
...
So the next day I went on a 75 mile route with some more demanding riding, and my legs were were really hurting me, particularly for the first 30 miles. It wasn't the normal fatigue, which I feel chiefly in my quads, but rather in the upper part of my calves and the upper inner part of my thighs.
Could the change in cleat position really make that much difference? If so, will I get used to it quickly and be better for the adjustment? Or should I just move the cleats back to the original position?
And to the original question, do any of you think that cleat position makes a big difference to your efficiency and power?
cleat position and rotation have a huge effect.
even if the prior position wasn't the optimum for you, making a big change and goin out for a 75 miler could have caused some serious issues and even injury...
the internet is not the best way to sus out what can work for you...
if you;re not sure yourself, how to proceed. find some good advise and proceed slowly.
one thing about oldstyle clips without being really cinched in tightly with straps - if the general fore-aft position is ok, then your foot can also find the the most 'natural' orientation/rotation angle for your foot and leg.
This is how I determine how to position cleats on my shoes.
I put oldstyle road pedals with toeclips, on the bike, regardless of what eventually will be on there. I then wear the new shoes without cleats installed, lightly cinch the straps so the shoes don't wander too easily, and go for a 5 mile ride.
The pedal cage (rear one) will leave a 'mark' line which I will use to align the cleat rotation.
Cleat, for me, is set so my ball of foot is dead over the pedal spindle.
Has worked for me, with old nail-on, or now screw-on cleats for 40+ yrs and no knee injuries because of it...
YMMV
There's some Bio-mechanics discussion out there on positioning the pedal spindle directly under the foot arch. SOme interesting reading, but considering the implications for injury, it's not experimentation I'm ever gonna try.