For many riders who use clipless pedals, cleat setup can combine guesswork, trial-and-error, and riding experience. This quick video explains how to place your cleats in a neutral position based on your foot's anatomy for riders that don't have years of pedaling behind them, or those who simply want a method that's easily repeatable from shoe to shoe.
It's important to note that while a neutral cleat position will work for many riders, cleat placement is just one piece of the overall fit puzzle. Riders dealing with bike fit issues, working through an injury, or experiencing pain on the bike should consult a trusted fit expert.
You May Also Like
Are you struggling with breaking in a new shoe that's particularly stiff? Check out this video for a solution.
If you're struggling with knee pain, our experts have written a comprehensive guide to solving the many underlying issues that can cause it.
If you're ready to go even deeper into the mechanics of pedaling, then check out our incredibly meticulous story on pedal stroke. It's everything you ever wanted to know about the biomechanics of making your bike go fast!
Test Editor Dan Chabanov got his start in cycling as a New York City bike messenger but quickly found his way into road and cyclocross racing, competing in professional cyclocross races from 2009 to 2019 and winning a Master’s National Championship title in 2018. Prior to joining Bicycling in 2021, Dan worked as part of the race organization for the Red Hook Crit, as a coach with EnduranceWERX, as well as a freelance writer and photographer.
