INTERVIEW & HISTORY
Not any available tool could meet our expectations
The consequence was developing our own device
Development
WE ARE BIKEFITTER
Basics durch Bikefitting
Durch die Routine als Bikefitter liegt der Wunsch nach Präzision und Genauigkeit quasi schon in der Wiege.
Erwartungsgemäß halten wir es mit Genauigkeit sehr hoch.
Aus Hunderten Radschuhen von Kunden sind nur die allerwenigsten mit Orientierungspunkten auf der Sohle versehen. Wenn doch welche vorhanden sind, sind sie teilweise asymmetrisch und deshalb schlicht irreführend.
Wie bei der Sattelauswahl ist die Position der Pedalplatten und in weiterer Folge, die Position vom Schuh am Pedal eine delikate Angelegenheit – zumindest für jene RadfahrerInnen die auf ergonomische Präzision Wert legen. Rustikal einstellen war gestern!
DRILLING TEMPLATE FOR SKI BINDINGS
Similar to a drilling template used for skis and bindings there is nothing comparable for bicycle shoes and pedals.
Maybe because of the higher incidental risk, there is more emphasis on precision and safety with ski bindings than with bicycle pedals. In the ski industry, special drilling templates are available in stores or rental outlets. These are used to align the center of the boot with the center of the ski. With the binding strength matched to the body weight, there are now reference points to meet the requirements of technical tests, safety regulations and insurance companies.
There is nothing similar in cycling.
Lots of pedal concepts
UNIVERSE KLICKIES
Maybe it is outside the consumers awareness, but there are standard lengths for pedal axles plus shorter or longer axles. There is no standard length used by all pedal manufacturers, each brand has its own.
From the customer’s point of view, there is a wide variety to choose from. Almost all needs should therefore be met within the anatomy of each user.
Concept and test
PROTOTYPES
Once the decision was made to develop a cleat tool, every available material was used to create prototypes.
The goal was always clear, but the path to the final product was long.
The material had to be transparent. Therefore, Covid-visors – as they were used in the very beginning of the pandemic – had to serve the first trials.
Colors and cut-outs had to be designed. Using ordinary cardboard, the pedal cleat could be easily tested.
All available cleats were used.
Test and check
IMPLEMENTATION
The first presentable prototype, now called “Sablona”, was submitted to the Eurobike Award, where it at least reached the finals.
An universal cut-out was one of the main goals in order to serve all color codes (red, blue, yellow, black, grey) of the cleats. A 3D version is required for the MTB cleat, as the pedal cleats stay below the sole level. This additional part should be realized by looking at children’s toys. Like a building block, it should fit and hold in the desired position. Later, the 3D part was affectionately called a “cookie cutter”.
We don`t want you to ride with bad performance!
Shaping
POWER
The final product had to meet the requirements of every cyclist who wants to pedal effectively. Therefore, each marking and lines had to be in the right place.
The credo was and still is the same:
As much as necessary, as little as possible!
Interview with Daniel Hechenblaickner
Please introduce the SABLONA?
The SABLONA is a tool that takes us back to the “real basics” of bike fitting. Away from digital apps and computer-animated gadgets towards a simple and analog way. An essential interface between bike and human to control incorrect adjustment of the foot position which has a negative impact on health and performance. The SABLONA offers a comprehensible and precise way to set up clipless pedals effectively.
Clipless pedals are almost irreplaceable for sporty, ambitious riders, but until now they could be used without tools.
Cycling is currently hip. This is why we were surprised that there are only few user-friendly tools for pedals and it`s ergonomics.
Not even pedal manufacturers provide any assistance. Although there are general practical aids for mounting the bike and even plastic alignment tools, there is still room for improvement when it comes to the pedal cleat.
A good workshop has certainly many assembly tools*
but an easy-to-use alignment tool for ergonomic aspects is still missing.
What about the Ergon TP1* Cleat Tool?
With this tool and alternatively the “Fitting Box”, Ergon is already offering some practical stuff for the customer and professionals*.
We see the SABLONA as kind of further development of both products, so to say a 2.0 update. There are also comprehensive solutions for bike fitters, but they are not worthwhile for cyclists, either for financial or lack-of-space reasons.
This led us to develop such a tool, which should be used by cyclists themselves.
*Note: the masterminds behind TP1 are Kim Tofaute (Ergon development manager) and Dirk Stölting (design manager of TP1)
Cyclists tend to change their shoes over the long term and bike fitting services are available almost everywhere!
That’s right (laughs), hopefully cycling shoes don’t wear out as quickly as some running shoes! The half-life of modern cycling shoes really does last for many years, so for the first time you have peace of mind for a long time. But it is precisely this one pair of cycling shoes that needs to be properly adjusted. Besides, stylish cyclists have alternative pairs or at least another pair for a different pedal system. This can also be set up just as harmoniously.
Radfahrer:innen wechseln ihre Schuhe eher langfristig und auch ein Bikefitting Angebot ist fast flächendeckend vorhanden!
Stimmt (lacht), hoffentlich verbrauchen sich Radschuhe nicht ähnlich schnell wie so mancher Laufschuh! Die Halbwertszeit moderner Radschuhe reicht wirklich über viele Jahre, da hat man erstmals für eine lange Zeit Ruhe damit. Doch genau dieses eine Paar Radschuhe will eben ordentlich eingestellt werden. Nebenbei besitzen stilgerechte Radfahrer:innen durchaus alternative Paare oder zumindest ein weiteres für ein anderes Pedalsystem. Auch das darf ebenso stimmig aufgesetzt sein.
Wie ist die Idee des Sablona Multitools entstanden?
Es sind nicht nur Anfänger, sondern auch Fortgeschrittene die erst über die Hürde der richtigen Cleat-Einstellung müssen. Auch versierte Radfahrer:innen schrauben an der Schuhsohle nur grob herum. Es stellt sich meist die Frage, wie das ordentlich gemacht sein soll, weder Pedal- noch Schuhhersteller bieten dazu ein Rezept an. Dabei ist diese Schnittstelle zwischen Mensch und Maschine fundamental. In Pedal-Anleitungen wird der Ergonomie Abschnitt oft nur kurz oder gar nicht erwähnt.
Wir wollten mit der vorliegenden Idee ein Tool bereitstellen, das die Komplexität der Fuß-Pedal-Biomechanik auf ein verständliches Niveau herunterbricht. Sogar das Auffinden der biomechanischen Merkmale wird fachgerecht dargelegt.
Die Anwendung muss einfach sein, wir wollen damit auch unerfahrene Biker einzuladen. Der Umgang mit dem Tool soll zielführend und motivierend zugleich sein. Ohne Scheu soll ein Bewusstsein geschaffen werden, wie wichtig die Rolle vom Fuß am Pedal ist. Der Fuß darf nicht nur vom Fahrrad-Händler spielerisch leicht in Position gebracht werden, auch ohne eine diesbezügliche Ansprechstelle darf der Nutzer Licht ins Dunkel bringen.
Cyclists change their shoes only over the long term and bike fitting services are available almost everywhere!
That’s right (laughs), hopefully cycling shoes don’t wear out as quickly as some running shoes! The half-life of modern cycling shoes is many years, it is precisely this pair of cycling shoes that needs to be properly adjusted. Besides, style cyclists have alternative pairs or at least another pair for a different pedal system. This is to be set up properly, too.
How came the idea of the Sablona Multitool?
It’s not just beginners, but also advanced cyclists who first have to solve the hurdles of correct cleat settings. Even experienced cyclists only make improper adjustments. The question which usually arises is: how should this be done properly; neither pedal nor shoe manufacturers offer a recipe for this. Even though this interface between man and machine is fundamental. In manufacturer’s instructions, the ergonomic-section is mentioned only briefly.
With this idea, we wanted to provide a tool that breaks down the complexity of foot & pedal biomechanics to an understandable level.
The tool must be easy to use; we want to invite even inexperienced bikers to use it. Using the tool should be reasonable and motivating. The aim is to raise awareness of how important the foot position on the pedal is. We bring light into the darkness.
Für wen ist die SABLONA nun gedacht?
Die SABLONA ist für jeden Anwender gedacht. Bike, Rennrad, Triathlon, Gravel- Cyclocross, Indoor-Bike (Peloton) und jede Person die beim sportlichen Radfahren Klickpedale benutzt, wie auch der Fahrradhändler, Bikefitter oder Trainer. Es gibt keinen Unterschied ob Mann oder Frau, jung oder alt, Anfänger oder Profi und es ist auch egal wie groß oder profiliert die Schuhe sind. Aktuell (Stand Anfang 2022) ist das Tool für alle SPD-kompatiblen Cleat-Systeme, für Look Keo Systeme und dessen Shimano Pendant SPD-SL verfügbar. Wir arbeiten daran auch für andere Systeme eine Einstellhilfe anzubieten.
Reicht es denn nicht aus die Cleats mittels Augenmaß anzubringen?
Als Bikefitter kann ich diese Frage entschieden mit nein beantworten. So manche Überraschung zeigt sich diesbezüglich im Bikefitting-Alltag. Nicht umsonst erfolgt die akribisch genaue Lokalisation der Pedalplatten erst nach der Anamnese und Untersuchung. Denn das größte Hindernis beim Pedalieren ist die fehlerhafte Schnittstelle zwischen Schuh und Pedal.
Individuelle anatomische Voraussetzungen und davon abgeleitete ergonomische Einstellungen wollen auch bei der D-I-Y Methode geführt werden, der User orientiert sich notgedrungen an eventuell vorhandenen Markierungen und an der Cleatmitte.
Nachhaltig ist die Position dann, wenn keine offensichtlichen Einstellungsfehler zu gesundheitlichen Spätfolgen führen oder kleinste Fehlstellungen zu Performance Einbußen.
Welche Probleme können abgesehen von Leistungseinbußen bei nicht richtig positionierten Cleats auftreten?
Wenn die Fersen nicht natürlich ausgerichtet sind oder die Füße asymmetrisch in die Pedale einklicken entsteht oft ein schwammiges Trittgefühl. Cleats mit Floatwinkel oder im Idealfall mit einer zusätzlichen seitlichen Verschiebbarkeit eliminieren präventiv potentielle Probleme. Bei einer fixierten Verbindung muss dann ganz besonders auf Symmetrie und Stimmigkeit geachtet werden.
Abweichungen vom Ideal limitieren sowohl den runden Tritt als auch eine gerade Kraftwirkungslinie. Es entsteht oder verstärkt sich eine einseitige Dominanz, das seitenungleiche Gefühl führt in weiterer Folge zu muskulären Dysbalancen oder Verspannungen. Eine unterschiedlich ausgeprägte Muskulatur kann darauf hindeuten.
What about the precision between foot and pedal?
There is no clear formula for the cleat position. A biomechanically established recommendation is: the area between the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe and the metatarsophalangeal joint of the small toe should be over the spindle. Here the force is ideally transferred to the pedal. Apart from beliefs and an extremely position preferred by ultra-long distance riders, this area in the forefoot can be well defined. The adjustment of the cleats is a very personal matter, always take care about preferences.
So how do you actually use the tool?
With the precise and comprehensive information on the SABLONA, a functional adjustment should be possible. The exact localization can be read by the numbers in millimeters, while the sole can always be seen. Handling should be easy, practical and informative for the user. This also makes him or her fully aware of their cleat position. Potential improvements in hardware between brands are easily recognizable.
The correct basic setting can be found and different cleat positions can be tested by control. The transfer of a proven position from one pair to the new pair can also be reproduced exactly.
What does the manual say, should it be seen as an instruction?
The use of the Cleat Tool should create a basic understanding of biomechanical relationships. Countless wrong forces result in problems when pedaling. They are explained by bike fitting experience. In addition to the basics, the user is also provided with information and explanation.
Expert knowledge accompanies the maual?
The concept is based on years of experience in bike fitting and physiotherapy. Individual pedalling biomechanics were examined, every movement was analyzed.
The goal of a perfect riding position is omnipresent during a fitting process. The focus is always around the bottom bracket, the aim is to achieve this perfect riding position.
With the SABLONA, even the beginner should find a way to optimize his bike performance – at least the pedal contact point.
The concept is based on experts in bike fitting and scientific studies. There is a direct link between theory and practical application.
Can you explain the principles with the SABLONA in few words?
The cleats are mounted with all screws in. Relative movement is possible within the screw and washer limits. The tool is clicked in, MTB or gravel shoes insert the 3D mount.
Now the shoe can be aligned along the grid and the main axes, with the great advantage of always having the shoe sole and the relative pedal conditions in sight. The cleat is now aligned step by step intuitively or as described in the manual. Once precisely positioned, the cleat is firmly secured. Same procedure on the other shoe.
Sounds pretty smooth?
The SABLONA is designed to take the fear out of pedal-cleat adjustment. The user gets an idea of the real situation. Visual orientation trains the eye and helps in alignment. The focus is empathizing the situation at the pedal contact point. Tips, explanations and the individual steps for exact positioning are hopefully served an easy understandable way.
That was the challenge and we hope we have succeeded. If there are any unexpected alternative approaches, we would be grateful for any feedback.
*
Alignment tool from Campagnolo – Front derailleur alignment (UT-FD120, 13€)
Chain Gap Tool by SRAM (6€)
Brake cable assembly tool by Shimano TL-IM21 (12€)
From the origin:
The SABLONA cleat multitool was developed by passionate cyclists in Tyrol. A broad horizon ranges from bike fitting, cycling from easy to racing mode and this on a wide variety of bike types.
Life for cycling – from transportation to competition.
Whether in winter on snow or in summer on dusty trails, there are always challenges and one of them is realized. Turning the wheels makes you enthusiastic, you become obsessed with the smallest details. Skillful changes to the adjustment screws and a resourceful adaptation of the conditions make cycling even more enjoyable; it can feel fast, responsive, light, enduring, powerful and ergonomic. This guarantees long rides in the saddle.
Homebase Innsbruck
Unique geographical advantages allow many testing opportunities:
The extensive road network with direct border crossings to Italy, Germany or Switzerland, forests, trails, mountains, passes, valleys, steep ramps and rapid descents, everything is on offer: a wide variety of conditions on cobblestones, sand, earth, asphalt and even concrete. Cranking up a concrete slope is possible on the Olympic bobsleigh track, which is part of a local gravel event. This is not the only place where you earn Kudos and become local hero!
