The correct position of the cleats is very important for a rider. It is a question of millimetres that if poorly managed or underestimated it can also cause unpleasant inconveniences, for this reason, precision and, above all, a competent person who knows the subject well are essential. We've already talked about this. with Aldo Vedovati, this time instead we turned to Alexander Mariano, biomechanical expert, known for having placed many champions on bikes such as Alberto Bettiol and Davide Formolo.
How important is it for a rider to have well-positioned cleats?
It's the basis of everything, you have to dedicate yourself to this aspect with great attention and precision.
Why?
Why are we talking about the part of the body towards which we discharge power, so you need to find the right spot to print it.
How do you install cleats? Are there any tools that can help?
I use a baropodometric and stabilometric platform so that I can see the morphology of the foot well and identify its strong point.
How do these tools work? Are there other ways?
These tools They are born for medicine, they are used by orthopedistsFor me, they're very useful because they provide reliable data. I'll give you an example: the baropodometric platform measures the pressure that the foot exerts on the sole, this is a very important fact.
Once you've identified the position of the cleats, is it easy to transfer them to a new pair of shoes, for example?
It could be only if we are talking about two pairs of shoes of the same modelIf this is not the case, you should consult a biomechanic.
What advice would you give to a rider choosing between cleats or fixed cleats?
I prefer the mobile ones without a shadow of a doubtThe foot cannot be forced to remain still, it needs to move, we were not born to be stuck.
Does this difference affect performance?
Quite a lot, there is one false belief that movable cleats cause loss of powerI say it's the opposite, and not only that, if you don't leave the foot some room for movement, that's when problems arise.
For example?
Knee problems and riders know well how much it is It's not very pleasant to come across tendinitis and various inflammationsIf your foot blocks it, you can be sure that it will release the tension elsewhere.
Do you remember any cases of athletes with similar problems?
There are many, in general I tell you that the knees become inflamed, in some cases even the Achilles tendon.
Who do you recommend fixed cleats to?
To the riders who have a perfect physical constitutionYou can start with a trial period, then make the necessary considerations.
It's been said that a sprinter needs it more than a climber: is this true? Can a sprinter gain an advantage by using a fixed cleat?
If we do a speech concerning the track cyclists I tell you yes, but if we're talking about road racing, forget it! When we do resistance tests it is risky to force the joints to only one movementIt's not their physiological structure, In my opinion, sprinters should use mobile cleats.
For riders who have suffered joint or muscle trauma or pelvic rotation following a fall, can the cleats also be repaired?
No, in that case I recommend exclusively an osteopath or a physiotherapist. If an athlete has a rotated pelvis and you mount the cleats accordingly, it happens that initially it has good feelings, but in the long run it creates a messBelieve me, it's best to avoid it.
What kind of problems do they create? Here we enter the realm of compensations that the body implements, and it's very interesting.
Compensations arise when the problem has not been resolved in time, then in this case the error is corrected slowly, assuming there is any need. However it is preferable to let the plant grow straight, otherwise you always have to chase something.
In short, here you can't go a millimeter off track...
Consider that if your saddle is two millimeters lower or higher, you can correct it without compromising anything. If, however, your cleats are displaced even by just one millimeter, it's too much and you can't afford it, This is why I recommend Time cleats, they are truly reliable from every point of view, and of course, above all, I recommend a good biomechanic.
Do you think it's right to combine the saddle positioning with the cleat positioning?
On a bike, the movement is homogeneous, this type of combination must be achieved. I always recommend considering this aspect in its entirety. A rider on a bike it is positioned by finding the right balance between the fundamental points such as saddle height, distance between handlebars and saddle, correct cleat position and so on.
Do you think the position of the cleats can vary depending on the physical condition of the athlete?
No, I'm not in favor of it, it's a good idea to intervene on the position on the bike, but not on the cleats.
Do you think it's fair for riders to have their cleats fitted by team mechanics before the race?
It can happen, the mechanics have an expert handOf course they must have the right measurements and above all the change can take place between the same model of shoes, otherwise it is better for the biomechanics to intervene between two different shoe models.
