Mid-sole cleats

My latest potential solution to the mystery calf injury is a dramatic change in cleat position from under the ball of the foot into the middle. Those in favour of this idea claim that it gives a better power output than with normal shoes since the larger muscles in your upper leg are recruited more through the pedal stroke. Most important to me at the moment however is that this means the calves are required to work far less.I would normally write it off as a being a bit too quirky but desperate times mean I’ll try anything. After a bit of help from my local bike shop Velo Elsener to drill holes through carbon soles and some longer screws I got them set up easily enough.

I’ve tried two rides so far and noticed a big difference. For the first time in a year I got home with quads feeling more tired than my calves, normally my calves give in before anything else starts to hurt. The dull ache I have been experiencing in my calves after rides was greatly reduced and the next day my legs felt almost normal. I can’t say for sure about power output but my legs felt like they had more kick on short climbs – I’ll test this more on some hills where I know how long it normally takes me this week. It’s early days but maybe I could be onto something thanks to doctor google, time will tell!

There are some small issues to be sorted, the cleats need to be made more secure as they started twisting around after clipping in and out a lot on the mountain bike. On technical descents the foot position felt a bit strange as its harder to drop your heels down and get your weight back but I think I can adapt to that with some time. On the road bike there might be an issue with the feet hitting the front wheel when turning since they are closer together.

more info here:
stevehoggbikefitting
Joe Friel and method for setting up here

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