foot in the peddle (pedal)

[chipmonster]

Hi

I have a road bike with stupid peddles, had the bike for about 4 weeks but I hate the peddles, they are the ones you put your feet in, normally have to look down turn the peddle and stick your foot in.

If i use different shoes or trainers, i really struggle.

I am thinking of changing the peddles to clip on ones, but will i struggle the same as the peddle i have got or do you recommend peddles like a mountain bike.

 

[gavintc]

pedal not peddle. In my opinion these type of pedals are so dangerous. Clipless pedals will be tricky initially, particularly finding the pedal and remembering to unclip when you come to a stop. However, familiarity grows with use and after a few days you will get used to them.

You need to decide what type of clipless pedal system you want; a road pedal like SPD SL or the 'commuting' pedal like SPD. The main difference is that you can walk in SPD shoes. Go into a bike shop and look at shoes and pedals before you buy.

 

[Shaun]

If you're having trouble getting toed-in to toe clips (getting the pedal right-side-up) you may have similar trouble with clipless road pedals.

The solution may be to try double-sided SPD's.

You don't get as much contact surface area between shoe and pedal (because the cleats are smaller than road ones) but because the pedals are double-sided you don't have so much hunting to do when trying to clip in.

You'll no doubt take a little while getting used to clipless shoes/pedals but they are worth the effort.

For pedals you might want to look at Shimano PD-M520's or Shimano PD-M540's

For shoes, check for ones that accept SPD cleats (possibly try some of the other sections, and other retailers too ).

Cheers,
Shaun

PS. Edited the post title just to help others who are searching for pedal threads.

 

[snorri]

You don't say what sort of cycling you intend doing. You might get along well enough without toe clips or spd clips, that way you can cycle with whatever footwear you have on at the time.

 

[MessenJah]

Opps, didn't even mean to post that!

 

[Paulus]

I used toe clips and straps for many years without any mishaps. Try loosening the straps off so that you can slip your feet in and out without any difficulty. It takes a little practice, but you can soon learn to flip the pedal around with your toe and slip your foot into the strap all in one movement without looking. Having said this, I have used SPD's for around 6 years now and would not go back to clips. I use Shimano M540's on all my road bikes because the cleats on the shoes are recessed and use can walk around normally in them.

 

[Arch]

Yup. I've not had trouble with toe clips either, after a little practice you don't need to look down any more. I've gone over to using the strapless sort - basically just a moulded plastic 'cup' that goes over pretty much just the toes. Dead easy to get into and out of, and perfectly adequate for the cycling I do (about town, and leisure pootling), where a big increase in power is a)not necessary and unlikely to be available anyway due to my own feebleness!

 

[TheDoctor]

If you do go clipless, I'd deffo suggest SPD double sided pedals. No faffing about and shoes you can walk in.