 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I normally run flats and always have done.
Stretched out my MCL, the one that runs along the inside of my knee, this means my foot naturally points outwards, this means i have to consciously ensure my foot is straight on the pedal, rather than toes pointing outwards. This is fine as long as it's dry, im fresh and if there's suitable points in the trail to readjust my footing if it goes astray.
Went on a muddy ride on my hardtail, i just could not get my foot to stay in the sweet spot, end result is i was pedalling cack footed, now my leg feels all out of whack, tight in odd places, pulling ,my knee further out of alignment.
I was thinking it good sense to use spds to keep my foot in the right place, everyone else agree?
You will want a proper grippy platform like the Mallet 3/DH, otherwise your feet will be way more prone to twist and point in different directions compared to flats were they are relatively planted once weighted.
I would be wary of locking your foot in place in case you do damage elesewhere. If you are going clipless then get something that floats a lot, like eggbeaters.
Are you sure your feet shouldn't sit on the pedals in their natural positions ?
My feet tend to be a little ' ten to two ish ' , when I first started riding SPDs , I set them up to make my feet straight on the pedals , massive mistake , nearly destroyed my knees.
I was advised to sit on a bench , let my legs dangle , then look down at my feet , what ever their angle , that's how they should sit on the pedals.
Worked for me ,years later, still on SPDs without any problems.
Yup , agree with Turner Guy , just to add , I find shimano float adequate.
What Turner Guy said, locking your feet into a position they don't naturally find when relaxed sounds like a recipe for injuries.
A course of stretching and exercises might do the job in correcting any imbalances.
I'd suggest getting someone to look at your pedal action and alignment before locking yourself into place, best to make sure you are doing the right thing and not making things worse long term.
Personally can't fault the new generation of CB pedals at the level 3 range.
Thinking about it, getting your legs looked at so you don't have weird tight feelings and it feeling like they're pulling in odd places would be the first thing I'd do before changing pedals, it'd be a good (beneficial) thing to do anyway.
Ive seen/am seeing doctors/osteopath/physio/awaiting MRI scan results about my knee, haven't asked this exact question of them yet.
Asked a similar question of the osteopath regarding pedalling and foot placement, whether i should concentrate on keeping foot placement as it was before injury, they said it was a good idea since it will keep everything aligned as it should be. I do notice a real big difference in knee pain between letting my foot sit wonky, where it naturally wants to go and riding with my foot in the "correct" position.
I was thinking SPDs would allow me to maintain a correct position without thinking about it.
Like I said, the float of all available MTB pedals (that I know of) will allow your heels to twist quite a bit even when all your weight is on the pedals (whereas they would be pretty immobile on flats). Even if you do go for clipless with a proper platform it will be traction between that and your shoe that keeps it from twisting, just like on your flat pedals.
On the other hand, as the retention system will keep the feet stuck to the pedals you might still have an easier time to keep them from twisting since you don't have to focus as much on keeping them from bouncing off.
Shimano used to make cleats with zero degrees float that could be a short term solution if you can find any to buy (short term because sooner or later you won't be able to). Model SH51 if I'm not mistaken.
Unorthodox and really not recommended solution: Road pedals.
So if i go for some, gotta make sure there's a bit of a grippy platform then.
I use old mallets with pins in. With a skate style SPD shoe they feel like flats when clipped in. Some shoes with differing SPD recess height may leave the sole above the platform.making em feel a bit 'wobbly' dunno how else to describe it. Also the sole wears where the pins are. I move my feet a lot always have. Come from flats and now prefer clips. Not tried shimano pedals I like the feel and float of CB's.
They may not totally stop feet moving but you will be able to pull em back easier. Also I find that with clips you can't be too 'toe out' as youll be whacking the crank with your foot.