PokerFace Posted January 18, 2008 Share My left leg is shorter than my right leg, therefore I would need to get spacers between my shoe and cleat. Is it commercially available? Any suggestions? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr LOOK Posted January 18, 2008 Share Hi Pokerface, What is the difference? There must be a big difference to justify using spacers....your body adapts pretty well. Just make sure your saddle height is adjusted to the longer leg. If it's more than 1cm you can cut shapes out sandpaper..in the shape of the cleat...and then layer them. Just make sure to only compensate half the discrepancy....so in 1cm's case....0.5mm of spacing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PokerFace Posted January 18, 2008 Share It is a 1 cm difference. In 2006 I had to go to a physio and podiatrist due to intense knee pain. They established that the difference in length between the two legs were the cause. The podiatrist inserted spacers between my left shoe and SPD cleat, which solved the issue.I'll make the spacers as you suggested. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudsimus Posted January 18, 2008 Share . Just make sure to only compensate half the discrepancy....so in 1cm's case....0.5mm of spacing. 0.5cm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PokerFace Posted January 18, 2008 Share . Just make sure to only compensate half the discrepancy....so in 1cm's case....0.5mm of spacing. 0.5cm Thanks for clearing that up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr LOOK Posted January 18, 2008 Share . Just make sure to only compensate half the discrepancy....so in 1cm's case....0.5mm of spacing. 0.5cm Sorry 0.5cm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thug Posted January 18, 2008 Share How about getting a slight longer crank arm ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr LOOK Posted January 18, 2008 Share I have spoken to a lot of really knowable cycling experts in relation to this subject, most of them agreed that spacers aren't really needed as our bodies compensate enough. I wouldn't try crankarms myself...as u should really try and finetune it...and to try not use any spacing. There was a SA company a while ago who had adjustable carbon chainsets...not sure if the really took off?? One of you guys might know it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbp2007 Posted January 18, 2008 Share Graeme Murray. http://home.intekom.com/murraytourdeforce/cranks.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr LOOK Posted January 18, 2008 Share Graeme Murray. http://home.intekom.com/murraytourdeforce/cranks.htmThat's the one!! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sequoia Posted January 18, 2008 Share Has anybody ever done a serious study on the effect of fitting a shorter crank vs fitting spacers to the shoe sole? I know for instance that Sheldon Brown is against fitting a shorter crank, and I have always believed that this was the general opinion. But is this based on science, or hearsay? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barend de Arend Posted January 18, 2008 Share Has anybody ever done a serious study on the effect of fitting a shorter crank vs fitting spacers to the shoe sole? I know for instance that Sheldon Brown is against fitting a shorter crank' date=' and I have always believed that this was the general opinion. But is this based on science, or hearsay? [/quote'] This is based in common sense. If you make the crank longer on the short leg side, the pedal will be closer at the top (good) but further away at the bottom (bad) vice versa if you do it on the long leg side. You can move the saddle sideways a few mm (needs a special saddle clamp add-on), or you can insert spacers (home-made, or leWedge spacers) to even out the legs. You can get lewedge is SA (Cycle Lab sells 'em) 1cm is not a lot. My first advice is: ignore it. However, if spacers helped on the SPDs, then use spacers on the Keos. Moving the saddle sideways is an option if your leg length discrepancy is caused by shifted hips/pelvis. First prize is fixing the muscle imbalances by stretching/exercising. This might very well be in the back, rather than in the legs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sequoia Posted January 18, 2008 Share Barend, although I agree with what you're saying, I don't think you understood me correctly. It is not about fitting EITHER shorter OR longer cranks, but mixing them up - 170cm on the short side and 175 on the long side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr LOOK Posted January 18, 2008 Share Has anybody ever done a serious study on the effect of fitting a shorter crank vs fitting spacers to the shoe sole? I know for instance that Sheldon Brown is against fitting a shorter crank' date=' and I have always believed that this was the general opinion. But is this based on science, or hearsay? [/quote'] This is based in common sense. If you make the crank longer on the short leg side, the pedal will be closer at the top (good) but further away at the bottom (bad) vice versa if you do it on the long leg side. You can move the saddle sideways a few mm (needs a special saddle clamp add-on), or you can insert spacers (home-made, or leWedge spacers) to even out the legs. You can get lewedge is SA (Cycle Lab sells 'em) 1cm is not a lot. My first advice is: ignore it. However, if spacers helped on the SPDs, then use spacers on the Keos. Moving the saddle sideways is an option if your leg length discrepancy is caused by shifted hips/pelvis. First prize is fixing the muscle imbalances by stretching/exercising. This might very well be in the back, rather than in the legs. Barend...well said...You are spot on..I couldn't have done it better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willehond Posted January 18, 2008 Share Guys, PokerFace had developed serious knee pain about two years ago. He went to see physios, doctors and a host of specialists. In the end he was advised by a specialist to have the cleat built up and voila, the pain was gone! So I don't care what all the experts say, when you sit in one position for hours on end even the slightest anatomic anolomy will cause pain. If something as small as a spacer can sort it out is worth it. Cycling up Ou Kaaps in the Cobra is painful enough, having more paain in your knees is just not worth it. The different crank arm length is clearly a stupid option as Barend de Arend has pointed out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minion Posted January 18, 2008 Share Barend' date=' although I agree with what you're saying, I don't think you understood me correctly. It is not about fitting EITHER shorter OR longer cranks, but mixing them up - 170cm on the short side and 175 on the long side. [/quote']Barend was describing this. Let's say you change your left side 170mm cranks for 180mm ones. At the top of the pedal stroke your left foot will be 10mm closer to your body, but at the bottom it will be 10mm further. The entire circle that your foot moves through has grown 10mm bigger. Now put on a 10mm spacer. At the top you're 10mm closer and you're also 10mm closer at the bottom. The entire circle that your foot moves through has been shifted up by 10mm, but stays the same size.Edman2008-01-18 10:54:38 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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