CYCLE CALCULATORS

CalculatorsCleat Fore-Aft Calculator

Cleat Fore-Aft Calculator

The cleat centre wants to sit under the first and fifth metatarsal heads. From EU size this estimates foot length, then marks 35% of that length back from the toe.

Inputs

Units

Results

Estimated foot length
10.7 in
Cleat centre from toe
3.7 in
Cleat centre from heel
7.0 in

The Result is indicative and educational. It does not constitute a design, a technical opinion or medical advice and does not replace calculations or verification by a person with the appropriate qualifications and authorisations. Before purchase, installation or use in practice – in particular in electrical installations – the Result should be verified by a qualified specialist. Details: Terms of Service, point 4.

How the number is made

Foot length mm = 265 + (EU − 42) × 6.67, the usual EU = 1.5 × (foot cm + 1.5) conversion. Cleat from the toe ≈ 35% of that length, from the heel ≈ 65%. Mark the shoe from the heel, then look at knee tracking on the bike.

The first metatarsal head sits about 72% of foot length from the heel and the fifth about 64%, so 65% puts the cleat centre between them, nearer the fifth. Shoe last and insole thickness move the real metatarsal. Use this as the first mark, not the last.

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Questions

Three-bolt or two-bolt?

The mark is the same. The slot length differs, so a small shoe may not reach this fore-aft on every sole.

Why not the middle of the shoe?

The ball of the foot sits forward of halfway. A mid-shoe cleat usually feels like pedalling with the arch.

Is the cleat mark 35 percent from the toe?

Yes. The estimate sits 35 percent of foot length back from the toe, which is 65 percent forward from the heel.

Do I measure from the shoe tip or from my toes?

Use the heel number on the shoe. Your heel sits at the back of the shoe, but the toe box runs 10–15 mm past your toes, so a mark measured from the shoe tip lands too far forward.

Example products

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