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Description
Cleat placement is a key part of bike fitting, and it’s not uncommon to run into limitations caused by shoe design, cleat type, or foot structure. That’s where cleat extender plates come in. These Form 3-hole extender plates increase the available range of cleat positioning by allowing riders to move their cleats further back for midfoot power and better stability, or adjust their stance width by positioning the feet closer together or, more commonly, farther apart. Whether you’re trying to solve a fit issue or improve comfort and performance, these extender plates give you the room to move. For more on stance width and how it ties into cleat placement, check out our article on cycling stance width.
What’s the Difference Between the XPR and XPS Form Cleat Extender Plates?
- XPR plates enable a more rearward cleat position (8mm and 20mm) as the primary adjustment, as well as a small amount of side-to-side (3mm)*
- XPS plates offer 10mm side-to-side (medial-lateral) adjustment to increase or decrease stance width as the primary adjustment and standard or 8mm of rearward adjustment.*
Specific models exist for Shimano, Look, and Time cleats.
XPR Features and Benefits
- Rearward Adjustment: Choose from either 8mm or 20mm of additional rearward adjustment*
- Dual Adjustments: Enjoy up to 3mm of additional medial or lateral adjustment along with the fore/aft increase, allowing you to fine-tune your cleat position for a truly customized fit.
- Improved Stability: Move your cleats back towards the midfoot to reduce the foot’s “lever effect”, promoting a more stable platform over the pedals and a smoother pedal stroke.
- Hot Foot Relief: By shifting pressure points away from the pedal spindle, the XPR plates can help reduce or eliminate “hot foot,” a common discomfort for cyclists.
- Reduced Ankle and Calf Strain: Position your cleats further back to reduce demand on ankle and calf muscles, enhancing comfort and performance for endurance riding.
- Optimal Rearward Cleat Placement: As experts in bike fitting, Fit Kit Systems emphasizes the importance of rearward cleat placement for achieving optimal biomechanics. Research has proven that this positioning enhances cycling efficiency and comfort by promoting a more natural and balanced riding posture. The XPR extender plate helps achieve this position where standard cleats cannot.
XPS Features and Benefits
The XPS extender plates provide additional medial or lateral adjustment for 3-hole road cleat systems.
- Increased Medial/Lateral Adjustment (10mm): Depending on how the plates are installed, you can increase or decrease the stance width by 10mm. This is more than what can be achieved with in-built lateral cleat adjustments and the use of a 2mm pedal washer, but half the amount achieved using pedal extenders. Perfect for those needing an increase in stance width but not to the amount offered by pedal extenders.
- Dual Adjustments: They also offer a choice of either standard fore/aft positioning or an 8mm offset to the rear*, similar to the XPR.
- Superior Fit and Comfort: The plates promote better foot contact with the base of the shoe and pedal, resulting in a more secure and comfortable fit.
- Reduced Knee Pain Potential: Proper cleat alignment can help alleviate medial or lateral knee pain often associated with poor cleat positioning.
- Increased Frame Clearance: For riders who tend to clip their heels on the frame (frame rub), these plates offer additional clearance, preventing unwanted contact.
What Features do XPR and XPS Cleat Extender Plates Share?
- Compatibility – model specific for Shimano, Look and Time: These plates work seamlessly with all Shimano SPD-SL and Look KEO systems, and Time iclic was recently added as well. (choose in product selection).
- Enhanced Power Transfer: Optimize cleat position with these plates for a more direct connection between your foot and the pedal, leading to improved power transfer and pedaling efficiency.
- Easy Installation: The simple design makes installation effortless, allowing you to quickly adjust your cleat position and experience the benefits.
Flexible Design: The slightly flexible design ensures compatibility with all road shoes, providing a secure fit and reliable performance.
How Much Stack Height do Cleat Extender Plates Add?
- These plates add just 3.5mm of extra stack to your cleat stack height, offering a subtle but effective adjustment for improved comfort and performance.
Which Pedals are Compatible?
The FORM XPR and XPS Universal 3-Hole Cleat Extender Plates are designed for use with popular 3-hole road pedals, including:
- Shimano SPD-SL
- Look KEO
- Other 3-hole road pedal systems
Why Choose the FORM 3-Hole Cleat Extender Plates?
- Precise Tuning: Achieve a precise and customized fit, maximizing your comfort, efficiency, and power output.
- Simple Installation: The easy-to-install design allows you to effortlessly adjust your cleat position and fine-tune your riding experience.
- Enhanced Performance: Experience a noticeable improvement in stability, comfort, and reduced strain on your ankles and calves, leading to a more enjoyable and efficient ride.
What’s in the Box
- Two plates with M5 T-nut inserts
- 6 x 8mm and 6 x 10mm base plate screws
- 6 x 6.5mm cleat screws
- 6 x 7mm cleat screws
- 6 x rectangular cleat washers (NOT included with the Look kit. Use the original Look washers)
- Installation instructions printed inside packaging
Specifications
- Made of injection molded nylon with 30% glass fiber content for strength, with steel nut inserts for the cleat screws. The formulation is designed to provide slight flex to conform to variations in shoe sole curvature, without being brittle and cracking.
- Manufactured in the United Kingdom.
- Hole Positions
- XPR: 12mm and 24mm rearward
- XPS: 0 (no rearward) and 12mm rearward
Important Note on Cleat Type Adjustment Ranges
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Please be aware that the exact adjustment range provided by the Form Cleat Extender Plate XPR and XPS may vary depending on your specific cleat type. Form’s measurements are intentionally conservative, accounting for slight variations among original and aftermarket cleats, including KEO, SPD-SL, Time iClick, and the many copies of these popular cleat designs.
-
8mm Rearward Adjustment (XPS): This measurement is intentionally conservative to ensure realistic expectations. Actual rearward adjustment may exceed 8mm depending on the specific cleat used, but Form advertises conservatively to prevent customer disappointment due to variations among cleat types.
4-Hole Wahoo Speedplay Cleat Extender Solutions?
For riders using 4-hole road cleats (e.g., Wahoo Speedplay systems), consider exploring our selection of cleat plates designed specifically for those systems.
Installation Instructions
Installation instructions are printed inside the packing, or are also available below.
Click here for installation instructions
Help me with numb toes.
My new cleats didn’t have enough lateral movement and put tons of pressure on my knee.
That pain immediately cleared up when I installed the cleat extender plates.
It also gave me more options for fore/aft placement.
Worked as promised! Exceptional quality. The offset is side specific, not the cleat extension rearward. Excellent mid- foot positioning for those of us who suffer from ‘hot foot’ or just like a better cleat position. Very nice, indeed!
Paired up the cleat extender with a pair of Lake CX201 road shoes with Pedag met pad. Able to ride pain free despite a plantar plate tear and toe flexor tendon tear. Noticeable increase in power output on flats as well with the mid-foot position. Still fairly comfortable climbing. Need to dial in positioning still.