Float or no float
#2
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, Kannapolis
Bikes: Trek 1200, Old Fuji Del Ray, Maruishi fixed gear project, Trek 700
I prefer the 0 float, I don't like the cleats moving around at all while I'm clipped in. That said I think it is a personal choice and you probably won't know for sure until you try both.
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,879
Likes: 6
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by Comatose51
Anyone know if the pair the comes with the Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL pedals have float in them?
Why do you like 0 float?
Why do you like 0 float?
#5
Originally Posted by Comatose51
Anyone know if the pair the comes with the Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL pedals have float in them?
Why do you like 0 float?
Why do you like 0 float?
#6
cab horn

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 28,353
Likes: 30
From: Toronto
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
If you're not a new rider and have used cleats with float, i'd try getting no float. you have to be VERY precise about setting up the cleats or you will get knee pain. Which is very bad.
#7
If you do the occasional sprint, you might consider some float. I have used systems with no float, and personally experienced 'release' while in the middle of sprints. Thankfully I've only come away with some serious welts and a few glancing blows to the 'equipment'.
I know of one rider (experienced one for sure) who 'pre-released' during one of the numerous sprints on the local Sunday Hammerfest. He ended up being carted away.
Next time he was seen on the bike he was sportin 'toe straps' around the shoe and pedal spindle ... sortta like old-fashioned ski 'safety straps', except as insurance in case of any future pre-release.
All it takes is just a quick jerk in the wrong direction to easily overcome 'no-float' systems. And in a sprint your legs/feet can do some crazy things. Even a strong pull of not quite great technique, say while climbing out of the saddle can have you flailing air.
Course you can also overcome float systems as well, but it usually takes much further movement to click out.
Couple of weeks back I was out on one of my older machines, sportin a 'no-float' system. A City bus rolled by and I decided, last minute to catch on back for some dirny training. Thankfully the inadvertant release happened only 5 strokes into the 'sprint', so I wasn;t really up to full steam - But I raked the calf pretty well with the pedal anyway. Bleed like a stuck sow for the rest of the ride home.
Float may feel a bit 'sloppy', but really, if you're 'in' then you're in and all the power goes to the pedal. But when you're out ... stuff happens...
I know of one rider (experienced one for sure) who 'pre-released' during one of the numerous sprints on the local Sunday Hammerfest. He ended up being carted away.
Next time he was seen on the bike he was sportin 'toe straps' around the shoe and pedal spindle ... sortta like old-fashioned ski 'safety straps', except as insurance in case of any future pre-release.
All it takes is just a quick jerk in the wrong direction to easily overcome 'no-float' systems. And in a sprint your legs/feet can do some crazy things. Even a strong pull of not quite great technique, say while climbing out of the saddle can have you flailing air.
Course you can also overcome float systems as well, but it usually takes much further movement to click out.
Couple of weeks back I was out on one of my older machines, sportin a 'no-float' system. A City bus rolled by and I decided, last minute to catch on back for some dirny training. Thankfully the inadvertant release happened only 5 strokes into the 'sprint', so I wasn;t really up to full steam - But I raked the calf pretty well with the pedal anyway. Bleed like a stuck sow for the rest of the ride home.
Float may feel a bit 'sloppy', but really, if you're 'in' then you're in and all the power goes to the pedal. But when you're out ... stuff happens...
#8
Personal preference. I like a little bit of float, not because of any knee problems, but just because I like the feel somehow. It's whatever feels right for you. If you're not sure what you want, one good option can be to get pedals with adjustable float... try different floats and fiddle with it until you get what you like. As one example, Speedplay Zero pedals have pedals with adjustable float... I think the range is something like 0 to 15 degrees.
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,848
Likes: 4
no float couse problems sprinting or result in problems with knee pain because the foot, knee and hips are forced to be in one single position, usually not a natural position anyways. I havent used shimano pedals ever, nor spd stuff... but i had used the old looks, the 1st generation and was a pain in the ass use them. I used them for 1 week, untill TIME came up to the market with a double security system plus floating plus bioposition...since then I havent moved from TIME. Time was the reason why Look came up with floating systems too, Shimano and campy had to do the same.
People do not realize sometimes the difference between a natural pedaling and a forced one because of no float cleats... well are their knees not mine...
cya good luck
People do not realize sometimes the difference between a natural pedaling and a forced one because of no float cleats... well are their knees not mine...
cya good luck
#10
You need to get both and try them both. Then you will know what it right for you rather than right for someone else.
#11
unaangalia nini?
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 0
From: Arlington MA
Bikes: Jamis Quest (Ultegra components,Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels and Reynods Ouzo Pro Fork), Gary Fisher Tassajara
Float or no float...
What my idiotic swimming teacher said in primary school as he threw me into the deep end....
Seriously, it is personal choice and I think it is independent of cadence. I ride Speedplay X1's (lots of float) and I have heard that they are not as efficient as float limited or non-float pedals. However, I have knee problems and riding Shimano SPD (some float) aggravated them. I'll trade any power lost to the Speedplays for the benefit of happy knees.
Like a lot of people said, if you go no float be absolutely sure to have a thorough cleat fitting done by a bike-shop. For systems that have lots of float a cleat fitting while desirable is not that important (on Speedplay X series, since there is limitless floats your feet just adjust to their natural angle).
What my idiotic swimming teacher said in primary school as he threw me into the deep end....
Seriously, it is personal choice and I think it is independent of cadence. I ride Speedplay X1's (lots of float) and I have heard that they are not as efficient as float limited or non-float pedals. However, I have knee problems and riding Shimano SPD (some float) aggravated them. I'll trade any power lost to the Speedplays for the benefit of happy knees.
Like a lot of people said, if you go no float be absolutely sure to have a thorough cleat fitting done by a bike-shop. For systems that have lots of float a cleat fitting while desirable is not that important (on Speedplay X series, since there is limitless floats your feet just adjust to their natural angle).
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#12
Scottish Canuck in the US
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Bikes: Trek 2100, Cervélo Carbon Soloist
I sufer from knee pain (IT Band Friction) and find having float really helps. I have tried several pedals and like Speedplay. I do agree though that they can slip out on occasion in a sprint if you dont have them locked in correctly.






