What is "float"?

I hear you all talking about how much "float" is allowed on your clipless pedals. What does that mean? Not that I'm jumping into going clipless, but I'm considering it for the future even though it still scares the heck out of me. But every time I go up a hill, I think, man this would be easier if I were using the upstroke too.

Thanks!

I think float is how much your foot can move around while clipped in. Is that right, Ladies?

Yep thats what I took it to mean.

Is that pivoting, (I walk like a duck with my toes pointed out), or up and back, or both?

Thanks!

[QUOTE=drplasma64]Is that pivoting, (I walk like a duck with my toes pointed out), or up and back, or both?

drplasma64 - cant tell you too much about float from experience as my pedals at the moment have none. As a result of this I sometimes experience knee pain as I feel like one of my feet wants to rotate slightly out on the pedal stroke. I have just purchased some Crank Brothers Quattros with 6 degrees of float. Other pedals like Speedplay Zeros have up to 15 degrees of float that you can adjust to your personal needs.

If your thinking of going clipless in the future I would try out a few different types in the LBS and see which suits your pedal stroke best.

Hope this helps a little.

Leslie :)

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Originally Posted by drplasma64

Is that pivoting, (I walk like a duck with my toes pointed out), or up and back, or both?

Thanks!

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It's pivoting. Your feet can't move up and back, but they can pivot on the cleat. The amount of movement is dependent on the pedal / cleat. My Speedplay Frogs are what's known as a free float pedal and have probably the most amount of float available. Other pedals have a stopping point that you can adjust.

--- Denise

It's the amount (usually measured in degrees) of left and right movement your foot has while still engaged in the cleat. Go beyond your pedals' maximum float and you'll probably unclip.

Some pedals have no float (gasp!); others, like speedplays, have a large degree. It's really a matter of preference but you definitely want some degree of float if you like your knees.

I flirt with the idea of clipless, but don't know if I'll get there. Between: fear, money and hard to fit feet (5 EE), I don't know if it's practical. But maybe by next summer I'll have conquered the fear and money issues!

I actually had Speedplays with 15 degree float and they attributed to my knee problem. I overpronate and have a tendency to ride with my toes pointing away from the bike rather than straight forward as they should be...

Upon getting a professional fit I was told to go to Speedplay Zero's immediately, and to set them up to NO float... knees have been great ever since!

Everybody is different and the type of clipless you go to CAN alter your fit slightly so be sure to get it double checked too! You may have to raise the saddle in addition when ya get 'em...