Pedals

Pedals are a critical contact point, offering security for the rider and efficiency, depending on the style you choose:

Standard Pedals

Standard pedals come in various formats from touring through to performance downhill models.

A standard pedal style is generally a platform style for ease of use. Some can have toeclips fitted for additional security.

Standard platform pedals are ideal for the beginner, who may need to 'dab' their foot at short notice whether in traffic or on the hills. Downhill riders also need the flexibility of being able to dab their feet for maximum speed on corners.

Clipless Pedals - Introduction

All clipless pedals work in essentially the same way - a cleat on the sole of your shoe clips into your pedal in a similar way to a ski boot and binding. This gives a secure contact point between foot and bike but its quick release mechanism allows you to get your foot and fast and will release if you were to crash.

Clipless pedals are more efficient than flat pedals for most types of riding. They allow you to pull up on the pedals as well as push down; they give you more control and stability on the bike and are easier to get in and out of than clips and straps.

Mountain Bike Clipless Pedals

Off-road pedals are dual sided so you can get your foot in quickly and efficiently after a dismount. They are smaller than road pedals to avoid catching on undergrowth or obstacles; a good mountain bike pedal is designed to shed mud and debris as quickly as possible to keep entry and release smooth.

Shimano is one of the most commonly used systems with pedals varying in price and weight but essentially the same cleat and pedal configuration. Time is another popular brand with a reputation for being better in the mud than some other closed designs. Two relative new comers to the market are Speedplay and Eggbeaters. Speedplay are small round disc like pedals that clip into a large cleat. Eggbeaters are increasingly finding favour as they are multiple sided so you can clip in from any angle and the small cleat and open pedal keeps them free of clogging.

Road Clipless Pedals

Road pedals are single sided and larger than an off-road pedal as they don't need to shed dirt and their main priority is to create a stiff stable platform for efficient energy transfer.

Shimano are once again very popular particularly the new SPD-SL which is a high end racing pedal, if you are sprinting hard the last thing you need is to pull your foot out the pedal, it won't just lose you the sprint it might cause you to crash also. Time road pedals are often recommended for those with knee problems as they have a greater degree of float.

Float is the amount of movement your foot can make within the pedal when clipped in, some riders prefer a fixed position with no movement where as others like a large degree of float. Most pedals have adjustable float or different cleats to adapt pedals to fixed or floating.

Look offer two plastic cleats, black for fixed and red for float. If you are a commuter cyclist and need to walk in your shoes at any point you may be better off with off-road pedals. Recessed cleats are easier to walk in and less likely to become worn down.

Mountain bike shoes have rugged soles, which are unlikely to be damaged by your walk from bike shed to office. Road shoes are designed for speed, stiffness and energy transfer, once off the bike they are clumsy and delicate.