Pedals

Platform Pedals and "Rat Trap" pedals are flat standard pedals kind of like what you had on your bike as a kid. They have no method of secureing your foot to the pedal. Advantages: you are not attached to the pedal and can quickly put your foot on the ground and save yourself if necessary. Disadvantage: you are not attached to the pedal and can only push down to provide power

Clip and clipless pedals have mechanisms so that you can both push down AND pull up on the pedal providing power throughout the cycle of the crank rotation.

Clip pedals do this by using a relatively standard (Platform type) pedal and a foward " Cage" which covers the toe of your shoe and in addition a strap which goes across the top of your shoe. These are attached to the pedal by screws and by threading the strap through the pedal.You foot is contained by the clip but not attached to the pedal. Advantages: cheap relatively easy to get in and out of, and can be used with regular athletic shoes. Disadvantages: Not nearly as efficent as clipless.

Clipless pedals have a mechanism which engages to a cleat that is attached to the bottom of a cycling specific shoe. You foot is actually attached mechanically to the pedal and of course to the bike. They come in many different configurations, and are very much a matter of rider preference.
Advantages: Most efficent for power transmission( every rider in a "Tour" wears them), usually light weight. Disadvantages: require special shoes which are difficult to walk on when off the bike, can be expensive, can be difficult to detach from pedal especially for the inexperienced. Typically require a "Transition" period when first used. (See the threads of others who decribe their sometimes painfull learning experiences)

After a three year "transition period" in progress, I went back to clips!:o

Thanks! That clears things up a bit. I was talking to a fellow at a local bike shop and he was strongly in favour of the clipless pedal system. Few questions... what's the cost of a relatively cheap, but not bottom of the line, set of pedals and shoes?
Also, how easy is it to detach out of clipless pedals?
Lastly, will all clipless pedals fit all cycling shoes on the market? Or do you have to match up brands or something like that?

thanks

Interesting thread. I've just bought a used Italian bike with old Look pedals. They are worn and scruffy but work fine, however , although I knew how they worked and it seemed obvious how to adjust them, I also would like some pointers. I just screwed them on to my shoes in a similar position to where I would have fitted shoe plates on my other shoes (used with toe clips.) They are much more comfortable than using toe clips, mainly because the straps on the clips are pulled reasonably tight and do make my feet ache on a long ride! I nearly fell off when coasting slowly to a stop, I was too casual in disengaging my cleat from the Look pedal!! I have since loosened the allen screw on the spring loaded rear of the pedal. Seems better but I haven't yet ridden it like this. I'm assuming that what I have done is correct? Do please let me know if there is a more correct method of fitting/adjusting cleats on clipless pedals.

Also, I'd like to thank the people who wrote in advising on how to set up index gearing - what a help that was! All so obvious when you know how....
Albert

airosen said:

Thanks! That clears things up a bit. I was talking to a fellow at a local bike shop and he was strongly in favour of the clipless pedal system. Few questions... what's the cost of a relatively cheap, but not bottom of the line, set of pedals and shoes?
Also, how easy is it to detach out of clipless pedals?
Lastly, will all clipless pedals fit all cycling shoes on the market? Or do you have to match up brands or something like that?

thanks

You can pick up a set of Look pedals for 75 bucks or so, they will be on the "heavy" side compared to Top of the line Looks, but no biggie. Shoes vary in price and quality, but you can get a decent set of lower end Sidi's for 75 to 100 bucks. Some pedal systems will not work with certain shoes, but these days you can pretty much be assured they will work together.

Getting in and out of clipless pedals takes a bit of practice, but it's easy to learn and you'll get the hang of it after a few rides.

Browse through www.performacebike.com to get an idea of prices. Good luck!

azdroptop said:

You can pick up a set of Look pedals for 75 bucks or so, they will be on the "heavy" side compared to Top of the line Looks, but no biggie. Shoes vary in price and quality, but you can get a decent set of lower end Sidi's for 75 to 100 bucks. Some pedal systems will not work with certain shoes, but these days you can pretty much be assured they will work together.

Getting in and out of clipless pedals takes a bit of practice, but it's easy to learn and you'll get the hang of it after a few rides.

Browse through www.performacebike.com to get an idea of prices. Good luck!

Cool, thanks, azdroptop! (btw, I assume you mean performancebike.com...lol 'performace' got me some spam site)

airosen said:

Cool, thanks, azdroptop! (btw, I assume you mean performancebike.com...lol 'performace' got me some spam site)

Sorry! Did not mean to spam you! :o My non-proof reading strikes again. Hope the info was helpful. 😄

Rick