Shimano Patent Shows Electric Cycling Shoe with Auto Adjust Cleat Positioning

Shimano has been issued a patent (US 12059058 B2) for the automatic adjustment of cleat positioning, as you ride. One of the “embodiments” describes a wireless electronic system wherein the fore-aft (y) and lateral positioning (x) of the shoe can be altered relative to the cleat, with information collated from rider and bike sensors determining the exact positioning. 

Throughout the document, the figures depict a standard Shimano SPD pedal paired with a cleat and a shoe. However, between the cleat and the shoe sits a so-called adjuster (26) comprised of two linear displacement devices (51 & 52), each with a reversible electric stepper motor, that move the shoe along a set of rails in the fore-aft and lateral directions, respectively. 

The pedal itself houses the main battery that powers the system, with a non-contact charging system in place providing electrical power to the shoe, cleat and adjuster.

Wild? Certainly. Wanted? Debatable. Workable? TBD.

Auto Adjust of Cleat Position- Who Wants In?

Any rider of clipless-pedals will be familiar with the time-consuming process that is dialing in cleat positioning. It’s not overly complicated, requiring the loosening and tightening of just two bolts on the cleat, but there’s always a bit of trial and error that one must endure, especially when setting up fresh cleats on fresh shoes. On-the-fly automatic adjustment of cleat positioning would save one a not inconsiderable amount of time, but I get the feeling that’s not the gain that Shimano is going after with this design.

While there is mention of the rider operating the system with the use of toggle buttons on the shoe itself (60, in Fig. 3), much of the content focuses on the use of sensor data from the rider and the bicycle to determine the position of the cleat relative to the shoe at any given point. Bike-based sensors mentioned include torque (from a crank-based power meter), cadence and speed, while the rider-based sensors include heart rate, body temperature, and even blood oxygen concentration and blood lactate level.

We could just be looking at Shimano’s in-house development rig for their next set of $400 USD cycling shoes. But, because I’m excitable, I’m going out on a limb to say there is the hair of possibility we could see this system at work in professional road, gravel or even mountain bike racing before 2025 is out. 

The Shimano patent describes some scenarios in which it may be preferable to adjust cleat positioning, with the system configured to move the cleat to user-preset positions when certain riding conditions are detected.

It reads, “the target position can be adjusted based on a formula such as the lateral target position is adjusted two millimeters for each increase or decrease of twenty watts (W) of pedaling input power once the forward speed is over 20 kmph and the pedaling input power is greater than 200 W”.

It goes on, “the target position is adjusted so that the cleat moves forward a predetermined amount relative to the sole as pedaling force increases, and so that the cleat moves backward a predetermined amount relative to the sole as pedaling force decreases”.

It also suggests similar adjustments in response to cadence changes (forward for an increase, backward for a s decrease), and even goes so far as suggesting GPS coordinates could be used to determine cleat positioning – with the target position varying between paved and unpaved roads.

More from the patent… “Generally, the target positions are preferably set such that (1) there is no adjustment from the initial position at low speeds, for example, 2 kmph or less, (2) the cleat is moved backward when traveling on level ground at a constant speed or a small acceleration, (3) the cleat is moved forward when traveling uphill and with a high pedaling power, and (4) the cleat is moved forward when traveling with a high acceleration”.

The narrative of the patent suggests that there are indeed advantages to be had for different cleat positions in different riding scenarios – for example, sprinting versus climbing. However, an admittedly incomprehensive perusal of the available peer-reviewed scientific research fails to show me evidence for that. 

This 2009 study published in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance concluded that “there was no substantial physiological or performance advantage in this group using an arch-cleat shoe position in comparison with a cyclist’s normal preferred condition”. Similarly, in this 2023 study published in The Journal of Biomechanics concluded, “adjusting the anterior-posterior foot position on the pedal does not affect cycling economy in competitive cyclists pedaling at a steady-state power output eliciting approximately 90% of VT [Ventilatory Threshold].

I’m more than happy to be shown data that suggests, otherwise, of course.

Either way, it’s always interesting to see what the big manufacturers do (or don’t) have under development, and I’m sure this one will be a great divider of opinion. 

While most of us probably don’t want (or need) more electronics on our bikes, I’m sure the Pauline Ferrand-Prevots and Remco Evenepoels of this world would happily ride this futuristic electronic pedal-cleat-shoe assembly if it meant access to more of those ever-so-hard-to-come-by WATTS.

We have reached out to Shimano for comment on possible future production of this system, and will update this article if any further information comes to light.