The pedal is a key component of a bike, as it is responsible for transferring the power from your legs into the driving force of the cycle. Because of this it's important to understand the assorted pedal designs.
The most simple of pedals are simply metal cages built around a spindle that connects to the bicycles crank. They may be covered in rubber or have an exposed metal cage engineered to keep your foot from slipping off. These may be fine for casual riding, but their drawbacks are that they do not hold your foot prepared and they only provide power to the crank on the downstroke; the upstroke is wasted energy. If you try to pull your leg upward, it'll simply come off the pedal.
In order to capture the power from the upstroke of your leg, and to keep your foot ready clip pedals are often used. Clip pedals use either metal or plastic to form a cage at the front of the pedal to capture your foot, keeping it in place. The clip also aids in positioning your foot properly over the pedal axle, and it lets you apply power on the upstroke. You now have the ability to pull upward with your leg; the clip will hold your foot in place and transfer that power to the crank. Clip pedals don't require special shoes, just ones that slot in the cage. There are straps that can be adjusted to accommodate different shoe sizes, but this also leads to their biggest disadvantage; if you tighten the strap in order to get maximum hold from the clip, you've got to reach down and loosen that strap before you can get your foot out! Not necessarily the best position to be in if you need to stop fast.
Clipless pedals give you all of the advantages of a clip pedal, without the clip. Yes they require a shoe that has got a cleat on it that friends to the pedal, but this is all a part of the system. The cleat on the shoe simply snaps into the receptacle on the pedal. This has the advantage of always keeping your foot in the ideal position over the pedal spindle, and there's very tiny play in the system. As far as getting out of the cleat, most pedals need a simple twisting outward of your heel to release the cleat; way easier than making an attempt to release straps while focussing on stopping!
It'll feel different initially having your foot locked to the pedal, so a bit of practice is suggested. Begin with the bike stationary, with one of the brakes on. Place a foot into the pedal and press it in until it clicks to lock. Rotate your heel outward to disengage the cleat and release your foot. Practice this several times on each foot. Then select an area that is level and free of hindrances and practice rotating your heel and releasing the cleat with the cycle moving. You want to become as acquainted with the method as you can so that when the time comes on the road or trail to stop quick twisting out of your cleat will become 2nd nature.
After you try a clipless pedal system, and become familiar with it's simplicity of use and increased potency, you can question why you didn't try them sooner.
The most simple of pedals are simply metal cages built around a spindle that connects to the bicycles crank. They may be covered in rubber or have an exposed metal cage engineered to keep your foot from slipping off. These may be fine for casual riding, but their drawbacks are that they do not hold your foot prepared and they only provide power to the crank on the downstroke; the upstroke is wasted energy. If you try to pull your leg upward, it'll simply come off the pedal.
In order to capture the power from the upstroke of your leg, and to keep your foot ready clip pedals are often used. Clip pedals use either metal or plastic to form a cage at the front of the pedal to capture your foot, keeping it in place. The clip also aids in positioning your foot properly over the pedal axle, and it lets you apply power on the upstroke. You now have the ability to pull upward with your leg; the clip will hold your foot in place and transfer that power to the crank. Clip pedals don't require special shoes, just ones that slot in the cage. There are straps that can be adjusted to accommodate different shoe sizes, but this also leads to their biggest disadvantage; if you tighten the strap in order to get maximum hold from the clip, you've got to reach down and loosen that strap before you can get your foot out! Not necessarily the best position to be in if you need to stop fast.
Clipless pedals give you all of the advantages of a clip pedal, without the clip. Yes they require a shoe that has got a cleat on it that friends to the pedal, but this is all a part of the system. The cleat on the shoe simply snaps into the receptacle on the pedal. This has the advantage of always keeping your foot in the ideal position over the pedal spindle, and there's very tiny play in the system. As far as getting out of the cleat, most pedals need a simple twisting outward of your heel to release the cleat; way easier than making an attempt to release straps while focussing on stopping!
It'll feel different initially having your foot locked to the pedal, so a bit of practice is suggested. Begin with the bike stationary, with one of the brakes on. Place a foot into the pedal and press it in until it clicks to lock. Rotate your heel outward to disengage the cleat and release your foot. Practice this several times on each foot. Then select an area that is level and free of hindrances and practice rotating your heel and releasing the cleat with the cycle moving. You want to become as acquainted with the method as you can so that when the time comes on the road or trail to stop quick twisting out of your cleat will become 2nd nature.
After you try a clipless pedal system, and become familiar with it's simplicity of use and increased potency, you can question why you didn't try them sooner.
About the Author:
Art O'Connor writes about clipless pedals and all things cycling related at his site cyclinginsider.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment