Perfect Cleat Setup for Your Mountain Bike or Gravel Shoes

[@Flipchartsundmehr]

I´d recommend to put tape on the side of the shoe and then mark the line on the tape. Much better than marking your shoe:)

[@RideOC]

yes that works too. after a ride or two, the black mark disappears but if you've got white shoes, use the tape for sure.

[@bigmig5015]

I've always used SPD so I'm used to them. But would you say crank bros is a better system?

[@RideOC]

I’ve used both, I have lots of crankbrothers and have never had problems but I’ve also recently been riding shimano for the first time in 25 years and they engage great and feel stable. I honestly like both.

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

Why would you want to align the shoes and cleats parallel when your toes usually point outwards while walking? You have to angle in the cleats accordingly to avoid your knees becoming twisted towards the inside while pedaling. That's what that tool is made for. Put the shoes on your feet, then step onto the tool with the cleats loosly fastened, position your feet in your natural standing/walking position, step out of the shoe, so the shoes stay in postiion, tighten the bolts on the cleats, and you're good.

[@RideOC]

30 years of riding, I like mine straight. No knee problems (knock on wood)! Certainly that tool lets you line up you shoes to your liking.

[@todd727300]

There is no usually. Bow legged vs. straight vs. pigeon toe. Everyone is going to be different.

[@numeprenume8756]

Why so much calculation and preparation while the shoes have only 2 rows of holes?

[@RideOC]

Personally, I like my shoes aligned with my cranks. Others prefer a slightly "toes out" approach as it feels natural. In both cases, the float in your pedals will help with any minor alignment changes that happen as you ride. As a baby, I had a bar between my feet to correct my foot alignment and point my toes straight, and I just prefer them to be pointing forward on the bike. It also helps to keep my heels from hitting the chain stays as I pedal.

[@andreamig1]

I guess the video missed an important detail; those two threaded holes in the shoe can be moved back and forth millimeter by millimeter. This because they are on a metal piece inside the shoe that isn't fixed until you tighten the cleat and can be moved back and forth, so that you can align the holes you are going to use to position the cleat aligned with the metatarso-phalangeal joints, the ones you find by using the signs you put on the side of the shoe with the marker.

[@kenttoth2126]

Cleeeeeeeet

[@gweflj]

Dude it’s not 2005. WT pros and knowledgeable riders haven’t been running cleats that far forward for decades. Calf activation is a waste of energy and will just make you fatigue. If you want to get faster try this, slam you cleats all the way back and lower your seat accordingly to maintain a 20 degree bend in the knee.