My road bike has Shimano's SPD-SL pedals and cleats (i.e. the plastic, triangular, three-screw cleats) but I was hoping to utilize a more versatile, tougher pedal/cleat system on the touring bike I'm buying soon.

My fitter adjusted my cleats to allow my toes to point outward more, which helped my knees a lot, but from looking at the popular Shimano SPD (metal, two-screw, mountain bike cleats), it seems that this adjustment isn't possible.

Are there any adapters, solutions, or other viable options other than going with either road cleats or platform pedals?

Thanks!

Really? SPDs adjust over a pretty wide range of angles on the few models of shoes I have set them up on.

Is there a plate between the sole and cleat or something? I look at this and it looks like it screws into the shoe, can be moved left or right a bit, and nothing else...



Maybe I'm missing something? I've never used this type of cleat, so please pardon my ignorance.

Ah, took me a while to find a photo of the bottom of a shoe, but I see the two lengthwise grooves now. Makes sense. Sorry for the dumb question!

On my Shimano mtb shoes the mounting plate slides around so toe-out is possible. After adjusting for toe-out last year I find them to be much better, not only on my knees but they seem to mesh better with the pedals. I used to get some grinding occasionally but that doesn't occur anymore.

The two grooves move together (there is a single plate underneath), but there is slop built into the cleat itself (where the two screws go in), so that it can be rotated slightly.

Obviously be very careful with toe in or toe out, listen very carefully to what your knees are telling you and what feels "right".
I've had a.slight toe out on one foot for about 20 yrs and my knee likes it.

Getting that adjustment just right is important. It is worth a good bit of tweaking to get it just so. Also if there is a hint of knee pain you might revisit the adjustment. I find I can tell what is required by pedaling a bit using the float first one way and then the other to see if one way or the other feels better..

Remember that like many other adjustments, tiny changes can be significant.

I have the same problem after breaking an ankle. My right foot wants to toe out. Every time I tried clipless pedals, my ankle and knee would hurt. When I switched back to toe clips, I noticed that my foot wanted to sit on the outside of the pedal.

I've installed a pedal extender on my right pedal, and that should give me enough clearance to try clipless pedals again.

Eggbeater pedals (Crank Bros) have more float to them than the Shimano SPDs (up to 10 degrees each way).

SPEEDPLAY frogs , ordered thru a Bike shop offer the possibility for the Dealer
to get them in some of the longer axle options they make..

web sellers are more likely to grab what is on the shelf, and ship that.

a Speedplay feature is Float, the release is a angle of bayonet combination.

being the Spud 2 bolt fitting the shoe part release angle is adjustable.

other bayonet closures.. the inner door of Submarine Torpedo tubes..