take a look at this cleat

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/04/bikes-and-tech/clothesline/clothesline-comparing-300-shoes-bontrager-rxxxl-vs-fizik-r3_170563/attachment/9o5b7354

Notice the dark mark on the outer part of the inner circle. Just a typical sign of a foot not wanting to be flat with the pedal.

BikeFit Pro Brother Russ on Cross Fit

As we transition into cross season I asked Russ Stevenson to share a couple considerations for us during a cross fit:

"Relative to a road bike - I consider a slightly shorter stem. This will help move your body mass off of your bars a little more. You want the front end to be loose and free, no pressure. Leaving your stem the same as your road could work if the head angle, rake and trail were all much more slack; but that all depends on the bike. I would never tell someone to use the same stem as their road bike if the bike was super steep….. that's a crash waiting to happen.

I would also consider lowering your saddle 5mm or so. The simple on/off the bike aspect warrants that alone...not to mention that in cross the effort is short and very hard. The rider’s body tends to hover on the saddle, never really sitting static like on a road bike. Add in the bumps and obstacles and the body mass is continually up and down on the saddle. Lowering the saddle allows more room to move and absorb shock...which all means a more stable, calm bike.

…..ok and this too... bring your hoods up, especially if you are running a deep bar. Having the hoods flat like many road bikes opens the rider up to sliding forward when things are sketchy. The higher hoods let your hands sit more comfy and take shock better. Look at all the pro's, they all run their hoods sky high. With a compact bar curve, you could flatten them some but still higher than a road bike.

Two hole Cleat Wedges are not always the best for Cross racers with the constant mounting and dismounting. One BikeFit brand only ITS (In The Shoe) wedge may be considered and of course a good insole are the way to go. I have been happy with Cycle Soles as my choice for insoles."

Russ Stevenson - BikeFit Pro - 2nd at this years Elite Road Nats and is a top Cross Racer

Contrast this with another view
http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/08/news/velonews-training-center-how-should-a-cyclocross-bike-fit_136539

And from Mud and Cowbells http://www.mudandcowbells.com/blog/2010/8/31/bike-fit.html

Don't forget to consider the NEW VV1 cleats for SPD compatible pedals!

Who besides Speedplay has their product in this kit?

http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/07/bikes-tech/speedplay-the-little-pedal-with-the-big-presence-in-the-tour_128526

The little pedal that not only could but DID.

Tour de France - bummed but excited!

I am not going to talk about how many Cleat Wedges are in the Peloton but there are a lot more than most people think.

2 comments

First: I am bummed as everyone else in the office here at BikeFit.com that Christian is out.

Second: We are having a great time watching Todd at VeloCenter on http://www.velonews.com/  check it out. I think you will also enjoy this coverage.

Longer lefts?

During bike fits, we note the cyclist’s need for longer/shorter pedal spindles or need for extenders. At first we did not think it was that big of a deal. However, the need for longer/shorter spindles has become beyond note worthy.

Literally, we are finding AT LEAST 3 of every 5 cyclist’s stance width requires a spindle width longer or shorter than a standard width pedal.

To track this data even more closely we are noting the need per foot being fitted. In other words 5 bike fits would = 10 feet.

We have recorded as high as 9 of 10 feet needing longer or shorter spindles in a weekend of bike fitting (5 bike fits). That means not one cyclist fit on a standard pair of pedals.

While tracking this information, we noticed the left foot needs to be placed more laterally than the right foot to be accurately placed under the knee. At times, we move the right foot in and the left foot out by changing cleat position. Sometimes, we use a shorter right spindle only. In most cases the left spindle needs to be longer. We are starting to gather a LOT of right pedal spacers and we are now asked at least once a week if we sell “left” pedal spacers only.

What does that mean? One day you will not just buy a pair of pedals but be sized for the correct width pedals (per foot). What is the only pedal manufacturer to address this issue? What pedal companies do you wish would figure this out?

To read more  - http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/06/news/coaches-panel-why-do-knees-often-track-asymetrically_120495

5 cycling magazine editors were all recently fit with Speedplay pedals at Sea Otter

Here are some of the initial numbers from the cleat/pedal fits. This is a direct reflection of the variance between the 5 fits and the ability of Speedplay and the use of cleat wedges to meet the individual needs.

5 bike fits performed = 10 pedals used
6 pedals needed different length spindles (60 percent)
9 cleats received cleat wedges (90 percent) – No ITS Wedges.
Shorter spindles – 5 (50 percent)
Longer spindles – 1 (10 percent)
3 Received Superfeet insoles.

Without Speedplay Pedals only 40 percent would have been fitted properly. In other words any other pedal system in the world would have netted only a 40 success rate.

Without Cleat Wedges only 10 percent would have been fitted properly. This combination is the best way to fit more cyclists properly.

Four needed shorter right spindles. It is more common we see the left longer than the right so this was not surprising.

This group was fairly typical regarding how many needed different length spindles and wedges. We see the same ratio in our fittings and education classes.......not a good sign for any other pedal.

Atypical of this group was that more often we find longer spindles are needed. This group as whole needed shorter spindles but again the left to right ratio is common.

We share this information not to impress you but the impress upon you the importance of cleat wedges and proper spindle widths. We hope you are able to experience the same success.