I have gone through fitting and refitting with an LBS where I bought my bike from because of severe knee pain. I had thought the bike was somehow flawed in the design because I had never had knee pain with any bike I have ridden in the last 15 years (unless I am in the saddle for more than eight hours). I recently caught up with an old friend who is a bike mechanic at my local REI and shared the issues with him. He immediately went to the pedals as being the prime suspect after describing the where and how of the pain. Trying his pedals (some uber expensive Shimanos...I don't remember what model) there was not the tension or immediate pain in the front of the knees.

I wear a size 12 1/2 shoe and was told that 1.) my cleats are too far forward the size of my feet, and 2.) I should find some "knee friendly" clipless pedals. My current pedals are a pair of Wellgo SPD style pedals the I picked up on sale just around the same time I purchased my new commuter.

What are considered knee friendly clipless pedals? Any personal favorites you can suggest? I was looking at some Time Attack pedals as they slate their pedals as being good on the knees, but I am ignorant about the concepts that surround a good pedal versus a pain-in-the-knee pedal so I don't know what's hype and what's poop. I am currently using Specialized mountain biking shoes for my commutes.

UPDATE! See response below.