What is float?

OllyUK said:

I'm thinking of getting some clipless pedels and i keep seeing stuff about float. What is float?😕

Float is the total movement ( side to side) that the shoe can make laterally (given in degrees) before it dissengages the pedal.

Thanks for your reply, do all pedals have it cos i did a bit of research and found that it is better for your knees.

I thinking of buying some shimano m424s😄

OllyUK said:

Thanks for your reply, do all pedals have it cos i did a bit of research and found that it is better for your knees.

I thinking of buying some shimano m424s😄

Those Pedals only have 4 or 5* float, which is fine if that's what you're looking for, some Riders don't like any float at all, some like a lot...

Yes, float is good for your knees and ankles, for instance, I run Crank Brothers Quattro Road pedals, they have either 15 or 20* float, it depends on which direction you screw the cleats onto the bottom of your shoes...I chose the 15* position because that means I don't have to twist my foot so much to unclip, they don't have a tension adjustment which isn't good for beginners with clipless because once you're in you're in...deffinately now panic escapes with these Babies :eek:

Less float on a pedal means you have to set your cleats on your shoes more accurately otherwise you'll have pain in your knees and ankles...

OllyUK said:

Thanks for your reply, do all pedals have it cos i did a bit of research and found that it is better for your knees.

I thinking of buying some shimano m424s😄

There is a contrary theory that says too much float can be harmful, for example with speedplay x series which have something like 18 deg of float. I don't subscribe to this theory (I use Speedplay X2's on both road bikes), but the theory contends that the excessive lateral movement can cause iritation to the knee since there is no lateral force to hold the knee and foot in the proper position. Like I said, it's just a theory, but I suppose there's some merit to it. Personally, when I ride my speedplays, I don't feel the foot rotating side to side, since after a couple pedal strokes I find my sweet spot and the float is really not needed. Why I like Speedplays? Once I have the cleats set to the proper positon (fore-aft and q-factor), I don't need to worry about the cleat being at the wrong angle. Also, the Speeplay system offers (IMHO), the smoothest release since once your foot is rotated past a certain point, you literally just step out. LOOK's, Shimano or Time, use tension to hold the cleat in (like a ski binding), which require a little more of an outward snap, to click out.

This article is an example of the "too much float" theory:

http://www.fitwerx.com/NewFiles/Tech%20Center/Pedals1.html

Thanks for all your replys. They have helped my understanding greatly. I've got some Shimano m424s and Specialised BG Sport MTB shoes, though have to wait until Christmas before I can try them out.🙁