Difficulties with cleat pedals I have bought Shimano SPD pedals and MTB shoes recently. After riding for a while with cleats I decided to go back to regular pedals as I had trouble getting used to the SPDs:


With cleats power is decreased dramatically. It's became much harder for me to stick with fast riding group.
After riding, muscles are aching.
It's became more difficult to pick up speed at the start.


Most likely that's because others groups of muscles are working. However, more than one month passed and I feel like I am still much faster with regular shoes. With regular pedals I used to ride with middle of the foot over the pedal. That is the main difference.

One more thing - uncomfortable feeling in my knees. However, cleats position are set up completely fine, according to multiple instructions and tutorials.

I'm wondering, if anyone have ever faced with same issue when starts to use cleats. What changes can you suggest trying to alleviate the problems I have described?
I'm wondering, if anyone have ever faced with same issue when starts to use cleats. What changes can you suggest trying to alleviate the problems I have described?


After I first started using cleats, I started to developed knee pain. I asked about that here: you may like some of the answers. I discovered that in my case, the cause was the placement of my U-lock, which meant that my left leg travelled slightly further away from the top-bar than my right. Having the feet locked in place can cause problems (from repetitive strain). Some clips allow more freedom of motion than others. I fixed my problem by keeping my knees warm, and changing the location of the U-lock.

After a year and a half (10,000 km) I discovered that I can run on my toes, without putting my heel down, which I couldn't before. My calves had become stronger. People whose only exercise is walking (or cycling with the pedal under their arch instead of under the forefoot) may not have strong calves.


  With cleats power is decreased dramatically. It's became much harder for me to stick with fast riding group.


With cleats you can push in a circle, instead of just pushing up and down. For example when each pedal is at 12 o'clock, you can push it forwards.

Also I agree with using a lower gear and a higher cadence. If another cyclist overtakes me on my commute, I found that it's because I'm in too high gear: changing down one gear so that I can spin more quickly helps me keep up with them, i.e. it lets me deliver more power.