rbent Forum - Print Page

rbent Forum
https://rbentonline.org/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Technical >> Pedals for a Newbie
https://rbentonline.org/YaBB.pl?num=1208732144

Message started by bikerteam on Apr 20^th, 2008, 5:55pm

Title: Pedals for a Newbie
Post by bikerteam on Apr 20^th, 2008, 5:55pm

I want to get a pair of pedals for Angie. I have Speedplay Ti, which I love. They engage and disengage easily. The downside is that they aren't made for walking, and you really need to pop on the covers when walking (ie at the controls).

What recommendations can you give us? Angie really is afraid she can't clip in easily, and most importantly, she is afraid she won't be able to unclip and will fall over.

Come on everyone, the flood gates are open :o

Title: Re: Pedals for a Newbie
Post by aikigreg on Apr 20^th, 2008, 5:59pm

For asy of entry, I'd go with the look style. Not terribly walkable, but there you go. You can have one but not the other. Speedplay light action might be a good alternative as well.

Or you can do what some have done and get her regular shimanos with campus pedals - flat on one side and clipless on the other. You pedal the flat side until you're comfortable enough to clip in.

And get her some mountain bike shoes instead of road shoes if you go with a shimano style - gives her an inch extra heigh to be comfy on the bike and makes waling easy.

Title: Re: Pedals for a Newbie
Post by Bud_Bent on Apr 20^th, 2008, 6:48pm

I second the spd pedals with platforms on one side idea. That way, she can clip in for situations where she's confident with the pedals (long stretches without a stop), and just use the platform side in stop-and-go situations. Also, she can do her recumbent take-offs with the platform side until she feels sure enough of her take-off to clip in one foot. It will help her use clipless without a total commitment to them until she's comfortable enough with them. Rose still uses that type pedal.

Title: Re: Pedals for a Newbie
Post by bikerteam on Apr 20^th, 2008, 6:50pm

Thanks Bud and Greg. What type of pedals are those, and where can we get them?

Title: Re: Pedals for a Newbie
Post by Bud_Bent on Apr 20^th, 2008, 7:28pm

bikerteam wrote:

Thanks Bud and Greg. What type of pedals are those, and where can we get them?

I bought Rose the Nashbar Rodeo pedals (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000108&subcategory=60001078&brand=&sku=6223&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20ATB%20Clipless%20Pedals) (which are the same as the Forte Campus pedals Greg mentioned). They're cheap and look cheap. I bought them just as an experiment to see if Rose liked them, intending to get better pedals if she did. But, she's loved them ever since, and they still haven't gotten replaced. These (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000108&subcategory=60001078&brand=&sku=3025&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20ATB%20Clipless%20Pedals) are probably much better pedals.

Title: Re: Pedals for a Newbie
Post by Opus the Poet on Apr 20^th, 2008, 8:47pm

Pull whatever pedals she's using on her wedgie and put them on her 'bent. If she's never ridden clipless on a wedgie don't put clipless on her 'bent.

Title: Re: Pedals for a Newbie
Post by aikigreg on Apr 20^th, 2008, 9:26pm

Opus the Poet wrote:

Pull whatever pedals she's using on her wedgie and put them on her 'bent. If she's never ridden clipless on a wedgie don't put clipless on her 'bent.

Musty respectfully disagree. Clipless are MUCH more important on a bent, where the pedal stroke is less efficient and there is the possibility of legsuck.

Title: Re: Pedals for a Newbie
Post by Bud_Bent on Apr 20^th, 2008, 9:45pm

aikigreg wrote:

[quote author=Opus the Poet link=1208732144/0#5 date=1208742455]Pull whatever pedals she's using on her wedgie and put them on her 'bent. If she's never ridden clipless on a wedgie don't put clipless on her 'bent.

Musty respectfully disagree. Clipless are MUCH more important on a bent, where the pedal stroke is less efficient and there is the possibility of legsuck.

[/quote]

And, gravity can tend to make one's foot fall off the pedal, on any bent except those with the lowest of bottom brackets. That's not a problem on an upright. Some bent riders like platforms or toe clips better anyway, but I think clipless is a much better way to go, right from the start.

Title: Re: Pedals for a Newbie
Post by Kwijybow on Apr 20^th, 2008, 10:08pm

I moved to SPDs some years ago for the walkability factor, and have never had any reason to look back. Lots of low price alternatives available. On my commuter I have the SPD / Platform combo that some have mentioned as well.

Take Care,
Nelson.

Title: Re: Pedals for a Newbie
Post by bikerteam on Apr 21^st, 2008, 6:00am

Thanks everyone. Angie rode Dura Ace pedals on her DF for years, but has the initial fear of falling with clipless pedals on her bent. Based on the overwhelming recommendation, we will order the Shimano PDM324 Multi-Purpose from Nashbar that Bud specifically sent the link for.

Have a great week everyone!

Title: Re: Pedals for a Newbie
Post by robert.j on Apr 21^st, 2008, 4:10pm

Ray: Sorry, I've been out of town and didn't get weigh in, but the pedals you ordered are exactly what I have and I'm very pleased with them. My main concern was wanting a shoe I could walk in. I'm sure Angie will like them and won't take long to appreciate being clipped in on a bent.

Title: Re: Pedals for a Newbie
Post by jman on Apr 21^st, 2008, 7:49pm

I'm late jumping in on this, but I use the dual pedals also, mine are Wellgo brand. I like them for all the above reasons plus this brand has a better setup for adjusting entry and ride show angle. An alternative would be egg beaters and frogs.

Title: Re: Pedals for a Newbie
Post by Opus the Poet on Apr 22^nd, 2008, 1:18am

I have been riding platform pedals all my life, 'bent or wedgie. I tried to use some Look pedals but because of several leg injuries I don't have the freedom of motion in either leg required to use them on a bike. They now get switched between the trainer and whatever trike I might be working on, as I don't have to worry about unclipping in time to keep either one of those from falling down, although I did see a guy fall off a trainer at a spin class at Bikin' Mike's...

Title: Re: Pedals for a Newbie
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Apr 23^rd, 2008, 9:53am

I've got an extra set of the Shimano 324 plaform/SPD pedals if you want 'em at a discount... How's $40 sound? For walkability, I'd definitely recommend the SPDs with mountain bike shoes, or Lake sandals...

PB

Title: Re: Pedals for a Newbie
Post by bikerteam on Apr 23^rd, 2008, 4:12pm

I should have waited one more day and I would have purchased yours. I orrdered the Shimano 324 from Nashbar yesterday, and they will be here tomorrow. With tax and shipping, they cost around $90. Thanks for the offer Paul.

Thanks to everyone who posted. Now we'll see how Angie does...

Title: Re: Pedals for a Newbie
Post by Bud_Bent on Apr 23^rd, 2008, 7:55pm

Paul, if you still want to sell the pedals, I'll take them. I'm overdue for getting Rose some better pedals.

Title: Re: Pedals for a Newbie
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Apr 25^th, 2008, 9:29am

OK, Bud --
I'll mail 'em to ya... if they work out, pay me whenever.

I put Crank Bros. 5050X platform pedals on the Stealth SXP, and rode it last night from Forest/75 to downtown and back. I gotta say, after almost three years of SPD pedal attachment, riding with platforms instead SUCKS -- especially going up rollers. I didn't have a problem with my feet slipping off, it's just that I missed the "pull" capability that I'm used to...

PB

Title: Re: Pedals for a Newbie
Post by jman on Apr 25^th, 2008, 5:40pm

FlyingLaZBoy wrote:

I'm glad you mentioned that Paul, I wouldn't have thought of that detail. Shucks, the pull is half of my cadence! I'ld grind to a halt if all I could do was push.