In this article I will share my view on the Ergon TP1 Cleat Tool for Wahoo Speedplay pedals with Walkable Cleats. While in 2015 I’ve published the first review of the Ergon TP1 Cleat Tool, this was still for the old Speedlay Zero cleats with a stainless steel surface plate. Speedplay changed the design to the Walkable cleats, but these have a different shape than the original ones.
Key Features Ergon TP1 Cleat Tool Wahoo Speedplay
On the product page of the Ergon TP1 Cleat Tool for Wahoo Speedplay pedals with Walkable Cleats you can read the following description:
The entire pedaling energy applied when cycling is transferred to the pedal through our feet and shoes, which is what makes this contact point “cleat to foot” so important. In the interplay of all anatomical and mechanical components, the correct cleat-position under the sole plays a decisive role in the efficiency of the pedal stroke and, in the long term, for healthy biomechanics on the bike. The Ergon TP1 WAHOO SPEEDPLAY is bespoke designed for this brand and helps you to optimize the positioning of the cleat in just a few steps, thus eliminating the need for lengthy trial and error. Many professional teams and bike fitting specialists around the world rely on the TP1’s precision and ease of use. The tool not only allows cleats to be optimized ergonomically, you can also their transfer position to new shoes. Both can prevent pressure points in the shoe, numb feet, knee pain and more.
- More efficient utilization of strength for greater performance
- Better biomechanical movement for less discomfort
- Less energy loss due to more direct power transmission
In both my bikefitting sessions at Energylab and Bakala Academy everything starts with a foot analysis and cleat position (regardless if it is for a Speedplay Zero cleat on the Sidi Wire SP shoes or Shimano S-SH51 SPD cleats on Sidi Drako 2 SRS carbon mountain bike shoes).
In the article “How to Install Speedplay Zero Walkable Cleats on Sidi Wire SP” you see the differences between Speedplay Zero and Wahoo Speedplay Walkable cleats. With the different cleat shape the cut-out in the Ergon TP1 Cleat tool was adjusted to this new Walkable cleats design.
The steps for adjusting the cleats are exactly the same. You could even copy the position from the old Speedplay Zero cleats to the new Wahoo Speedplay Walkable Cleats because the position over the pedal axle is exactly the same (and the foot stance too). So let’s summarize the steps again.
Adjusting Speedplay Walkable Cleats with Ergon TP1 Cleat Tool
Adjusting the your Speedplay Walkable Cleats for a more ergonomic and efficient pedal stroke you need to follow these two set-up steps.
- Fore / Aft positioning of the cleat
- Q-Factor: Foot Stance
The advantage of the Speedplay system is that you don’t need to deal with the angle of the cleat (as with the 3 bolt Look Keo or Shimano SPD design). So it is a simple two step process that doesn’t require a lot of fine tuning. This approach is the same for the Wahoo Speedplay Walkable Cleats and the old Speedplay Zero Cleats.
Fore / Aft positioning of the cleat
“For efficient power transfer from your muscles the cleat should be positioned so that the pedal axle is under the ball of the foot. To do this while wearing shoes, simply find the joint at the base of your big toe.”
I’ve placed a Ergon Reference Point sticker to mark the center of the big-toe-joint on the outside of my left and right Sidi Wire Carbon shoe. You can also use a 3M Post-It note to mark this joint-center.
Now you open up the Ergon TP1 Cleat Tool and put your shoe with cleat (and shoe) in the cut-out of the Ergon TP1 Cleat Tool. Adjust the fore/aft position in such a way that the center of the big-toe-joint (marked with the Ergon Reference Point sticker) is at the center of the pedal axle.
I did some control measurements (for both left and right leg) with a plumb line over my knee-joint on the Tacx Neo Smart trainer.
Q-Factor: Foot Stance
“The Q-Factor is the value given to the stance of your cranks and feet. This width in general should be small – the closer your feet are to the bottom bracket the better. The shoe should pass as closely as possible to the crank. Please note that if you are to ride with overshoes, then adjustments may be required accordingly.”
With the center of the big-toe joint above the pedal axle it is now time to adjust the lateral position of your feet compared to your cranks. While the so called Q-factor should be as small as possible, the position of your feet and knee should provide a natural movement without over stretching your ankle and knee joints or any pain during the pedal / crank rotation.
So I simply adjusted the Q-factor a little. This adjustment was small and without the Ergon TP1 Cleat Tool it would have been hard to do this adjustments in a structured and accurate way.
Concluding thoughts and wrap-up
The price point of the Ergon TP1 Cleat Tool for Wahoo Speedplay pedals with Walkable Cleats is € 22,00 – € 30,00. Also the other versions for Shimano SPD-SL, Shimano SPD are in a similar price range. I have 4 different versions now but there is no better option out there to dail-in the cleat position with such accuracy.
When I’m out on a short mountain bike or gravel trip I would throw the Crankbrothers Cleat Tool for Shimano SPD in a bag or tool box. But for the proper adjustment I use the Ergon TP1 Cleat Tool for Speedplay, Shimano SPD-SL, Look Keo pedals
I’ve learned from my first EnergyLab Bikefitting back in 2017 that it was necessary to (re)adjust cleats and saddle position (because the Speedplay specific sole offers a lower stack height).
I’m happy that Ergon crafted a new version of the Ergon TP1 Cleat tool for the Wahoo Speedplay Walkable Cleats.
