Pedals

[Buffo]

Anyone got any recommendations for pedals? I've had several recent close calls with "leg suck" on my streetfox while screaming downhill on rough ground. I'm considering something like the Shimano "clipless" style. I've never used this type of pedal. Will they keep the old feet secure with the horizontal pedaling position of the tadpole? Can the clips be installed on most types of shoes or do you need special (expensive) soles?

[John Lewis]

Buffo,

My wife and I have always used SPD clipless pedals and cleats on our trikes. I have both Wellgo and Shimano pedals and both are fine. You need special shoes for the cleats. We are happy with clipless but it's a bit of a nuisance having to put on the shoes to go ride.

Another alternative used by some are Powergrips. They are a strap arrangement and you can use ordinary shoes. you put your foot in on the diagonal and when you straighten the foot it is gripped. They are not that expensive. Google them.

If you want a solution in the Zombie tradition you could try this.
The rider I saw had the ordinary toeclip arrangement but a loop of elastic cord attached to the pedal that he looped over his shoe heel. Seemed to work well. I have also seen shoes bolted to the pedals. I don't like that because it stops you exiting the trike in a hurry.

John Lewis

[Big Moe]

I dropped a foot once on a trike. Luck that it bounced rather than going under the trike. I have used Powergrips since and they work very well. The decision was easy - I don't want to spend the $ for size 15 shoes made just for riding. I like not having to change shoes to ride.

[trikeman]

I am currently using egg beaters on my 2-wheeled LWB. I mostly like them because they seem easier to clip out of than some others I have tried, and because I like to be able to walk around when I get somewhere. On a two-wheeled recumbent unclipping is important when you are first learning to start and stop without falling over. Don't ask me how I know [g].

The shoes come in two types - Road shoes, and mountain bike shoes, and yes, they are special shoes with holes to screw the clips into and stiff soles. Road bike shoes have clips that protrude a lot from the bottom of the shoe, which means it makes it difficult to walk anywhere. Mountain bike shoe clips are recessed into the shoe, so you can stroll around comfortably. When you buy the shoes, they will come with clips. I usually choose the pedals first, and then find shoes to match that type of clip. You can get a decent pair of shoes for less than $50 if you shop around, and pedals run from about $30 on up. Check the PerformanceBicycle and Nashbar online catalogs for sales and prices.

The other things you have to think about when choosing a shoe is how much "float" they give you. In other words how much can you twist your foot before you unclip. If you have weak knees, as some of us do you generally want more float. If you get hot spots from small platforms you might want larger platforms (although the bike shoe is supposed to have a stiff enough sole that the platform doesn't matter).

Riding a tadpole you can probably use any type of clipless pedal you feel comfortable in, but you probably won't know how well you like them until you ride some in them.

[newrider3]

What types of flat pedals are you guys using that you slip so much? If you use a good platform pedal with replaceable pins, you should have grip all the way into next week.

[John Lewis]

What types of flat pedals are you guys using that you slip so much? If you use a good platform pedal with replaceable pins, you should have grip all the way into next week.

On a trike with feet out front it is pretty easy to dislodge a foot on a bump. Also to stop pedal steer you need to learn to pedal in circles so to speak. That means pulling on the pedal as well as pushing. It's amazing how much more power you generate with clipless pedals.

Because you are not having to hold your feet up on the pedals it is more comfortable and relaxing too. I've tried both ways and I wouldn't go back to platforms either on the trike or the two wheelers.

It is mandatory to have a low speed fall or two learning clipless. This usually happens when you are being watched.:jester:. This doesn't happen on the trike of course and you don't need to unclip when stopping. I started with clipless on the trike. When I got the two wheeler built I put on clipless and went to ride. Pulled up and forgot to unclip.:mad: Took a while to live that down.

John Lewis

[savarin]

A version I've used is two rods (all thread) bolted through the pedals (those older road racing types) following the contour of you shoe with a curved bracket bolted on the end for your heel to rest in. Not as good as clipless but way cheaper and they work.

[Buffo]

Thanks guys for the replies to my pedal question. I'll check out the locally availiable clipless offerings (and shoes) tomorrow and see if I can afford to go that way. You've given me some excellent alternatives if the clipless setup is beyond my budget.

Thanks again,

Rob.

[GregLWB]

My two cents:

On a trike I would clip in. On a two wheeled bike I think some people are comfortable doing that and other aren't. I'm one that's not. Maybe because most of my riding is in traffic with a lot of stops? Here is what I use on all my two wheeled bikes. They run about $13 for the pair and are really smooth. I have never had my foot slip off of them even in a down pour.

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv301/gdfran0/Picture083.jpg
http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv301/gdfran0/Picture084.jpg

Greg

[Buffo]

I'm using a fairly "grippy" aluminium pedal with plenty of sharp "teeth." I still find that, especially when my shoes and the pedals are wet, I can lose the pedals when I hammer over rough ground at speed. My shoes literally get "bounced off the pedals. Luckily I have strong enough legs and reasonable concentration, so I have been able to do the 'ol leg lift and keep out of trouble. Pot holes in paved roads up in FNQ are a fact of life, especially during the "wet."

Savarin's suggestion of a sort of "foot frame" with possibly a bungy cord strap added for insurance might do the job for me. Here's a design which I think is what Savarin means(?)...
http://www.delorenzi.altervista.org/Ehtml-foto/foto-29.html

I've checked the prices on the clipless, cleats and shoes and in reality I could spend more then it cost me to build the Streetfox! Oh well, it's probably cheaper then a couple of broken legs!<g>

By the way Savarin, you guys have some beautiful bike paths down there in Townsville. I wish we had the same attitude up this way.

[GregLWB]

Pot holes in paved roads up in FNQ are a fact of life, especially during the "wet."

Forgive my ignorance 'FNQ'?:confused:

Greg

[GregLWB]

Forgive my ignorance 'FNQ'?:confused:

Greg

Never mind. Looked it up.:dunce2:

Greg

[savarin]

Savarin's suggestion of a sort of "foot frame" with possibly a bungy cord strap added for insurance might do the job for me. Here's a design which I think is what Savarin means(?)...
http://www.delorenzi.altervista.org/Ehtml-foto/foto-29.html

Thats the thing, we used them for disabled riders to stop them from turning their ankles into the chain as well as stop their feet falling off.


By the way Savarin, you guys have some beautiful bike paths down there in Townsville. I wish we had the same attitude up this way.

That seriously long ride along the river on both side is excellent.
I still like a couple of laps along the strand at the weekend.
Me? show off? Nah!

[Buffo]

Savarin wrote:
"That seriously long ride along the river on both side is excellent.
I still like a couple of laps along the strand at the weekend.
Me? show off? Nah!"

I spent a month or so down your way last year. The Ross River path system was incredible. The whole trail system in and around Townsville was an excellent experience. I even made the run up Castle Hill with the old pushie. You're truely in bicycle heaven down there! There aren't many cities in the world that cater so well to those who choose to walk or pedal.