is your physio an experienced cyclist? If not, it might be worth getting a second opinion from one who is.
All too often the easy way out for someone in the medical profession is, when asked what to do 'because it hurts when you do XYZ' is simply to say 'don't do XYZ then'. The advice about using pedals that don't clip you in might be in that category.
SPD pedals are not perfect but they are pretty good; click'rs have a lower release tension than standard SPDs and have slightly easier float too. You can make the float even easier/wider angle by modifying the cleat.
FWIW most blokes with average or slightly above average sized feet tend to end up with SPD cleats set too far inboard, unless pedal extenders are used. When the cleats are in the wrong position this tilts the foot bed and leads to strain on parts of the leg that shouldn't be strained.
So anyway correctly set SPD pedals will only strain your leg three ways
1) because you pull up on the pedal
2) because the float has the wrong angle and/or the wrong stiffness
3) because the cleat is wrongly positioned laterally
FWIW if your foot twists during the downwards part of the pedal movement, quite a lot of flat pedals are worse than clipless with easy float; the foot doesn't twist as easily against a lot of flat pedals as it does in an SPD pedal.
To modify the cleat/binding differently;
- for more float, grind the nose and heel of the cleat (where the claws bear against the cleat) to a smaller radius or-
- grind a larger radius into the pedal jaws
- for easier float, grind the back of the cleat shorter until it is slightly shorter than the spacing of the pedal jaws (NB this also results in an easier release)
- for easier release, (beyond the range of adjustment of the binding) you can revise the springs in the pedal or modify the cleat. There are two chamfers at the back of the Multirelease cleats which are not present in the standard cleats; if these are made larger than normal then the release is made easier.
If you want to modify the springs in the pedal they are (in order of decreasing retaining force)
-Standard SPD pedal with two springs
-Click'r pedal with two springs
-standard SPD pedal with one spring
- click'r pedal with one spring
It is not at all difficult to get a setup whereby thee is oodles of easy float and/or the pedal releases at a very low force indeed.
If you get hold of some old cleats (or cheapies from e-bay) they are good for experimenting with. A dremel tool will do for modification, but if you know what you are doing you can do well with an angle grinder.
cheers
