The pedal is a key part of a cycle, as it is accountable for transferring the power from your legs into the driver of the bike. For this reason it is important to grasp the numerous pedal designs.
The most elementary of pedals are metal cages built around an axle that connects to the bikes crank. They could be covered in rubber or have an exposed metal cage designed to keep your foot from slipping off. These could be fine for casual riding, but their downsides are that they don't hold your foot ready and they only provide power to the crank on the downstroke; the upstroke is wasted energy. If you attempt to pull your leg upward, it will simply come off the pedal.
To capture the power from the upstroke of your leg, and to keep your foot in place , clip pedals are typically 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 effect. The clip also aids in positioning your foot properly over the pedal axle, and it permits you to apply power on the upstroke. You can now 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 changed to accommodate different shoe sizes, but this also leads to their biggest drawback; if you tighten the strap in order to get maximum hold from the clip, you have got to reach down and loosen that strap before it is possible to get your foot out! Not necessarily the best position to be in if you need to stop swiftly.
Clipless pedals give you all the benefits of a clip pedal, without the clip. Yes they need a shoe that has a cleat on it that mates to the pedal, but this is all just a part of the system. The cleat on the shoe simply snaps into the receptacle on the pedal. This has the benefit of always keeping your foot in the optimum position over the pedal axle, and there is very small play in the system. As far as getting out of the cleat, most pedals require an easy twisting outward of your heel to release the cleat; much easier than attempting to release straps while concentrating 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.
Once you try a clipless pedal system, and become familiar with it's simplicity of use and increased potency, you'll wonder why you didn't try them sooner.
The most elementary of pedals are metal cages built around an axle that connects to the bikes crank. They could be covered in rubber or have an exposed metal cage designed to keep your foot from slipping off. These could be fine for casual riding, but their downsides are that they don't hold your foot ready and they only provide power to the crank on the downstroke; the upstroke is wasted energy. If you attempt to pull your leg upward, it will simply come off the pedal.
To capture the power from the upstroke of your leg, and to keep your foot in place , clip pedals are typically 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 effect. The clip also aids in positioning your foot properly over the pedal axle, and it permits you to apply power on the upstroke. You can now 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 changed to accommodate different shoe sizes, but this also leads to their biggest drawback; if you tighten the strap in order to get maximum hold from the clip, you have got to reach down and loosen that strap before it is possible to get your foot out! Not necessarily the best position to be in if you need to stop swiftly.
Clipless pedals give you all the benefits of a clip pedal, without the clip. Yes they need a shoe that has a cleat on it that mates to the pedal, but this is all just a part of the system. The cleat on the shoe simply snaps into the receptacle on the pedal. This has the benefit of always keeping your foot in the optimum position over the pedal axle, and there is very small play in the system. As far as getting out of the cleat, most pedals require an easy twisting outward of your heel to release the cleat; much easier than attempting to release straps while concentrating 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.
Once you try a clipless pedal system, and become familiar with it's simplicity of use and increased potency, you'll wonder 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.
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