Cleats

[MartinG]

Nazca Fuego on order. I have never used cleats before - what do you recommend given my novice status on both counts?

 

[Fiona N]

Two wheel recumbents require your balance foot to grip when it's on the ground. I found Look cleats/road shoes were not a go-er in this respect. You unclip, put a foot down and the cleat gets no traction on the road so over you go more or less ungracefully

Therefore, I'd suggested cleats compatible with mtb shoes (by this I mean shoes in which the cleat is in a recess in the sole of the shoes rather than sticking proud as with Look-type cleats). I used Crank Brothers pedals - either Quattro (road) or Candy (mtb) on all my bikes/trikes which means I can use mtb or road shoes as desired as the cleat is the same. Shimano spd cleats are mainly for mtb-type shoes and are a widely used option (probably cheaper than Crank Bros too ) as they are compatible with most mtb/leisure shoes.

 

[Scoosh]

MartinG and to CC

(assuming he's the ENVY smillie) for your Nazca Fuego .

I'd confirm the recommendation for MTB-style shoes, which have the cleat recessed into the sole. This will enable you to have traction when you put your foot on the ground, as well as allowing walking without special cleat covers.

One of the standards is the Shimano SPD cleats - easy to use and a good (cheap) introduction to clipless pedals and cleats.

 

[squeaker]

Standard Shimano SPD (compatible with various makes of pedal and shoe) with MTB shoes or sandals (which are brilliant on a 'bent, as your toes point upwards and are not liable to stub anything). If you are nervous about using cleats then pedals with cleats on just one side might help, otherwise Shimano A520 are nice - just back the cleat tension off to minimum while you are getting used to them.

 

[arallsopp]

Buy some MTB shoes and some Time pedals. They have free float which will be easier on the knees.

+1 to this. I use MTB shoes and Time Atac pedals on both my bents and find them absolutely brilliant. I had single sided Shimanos prior to this, and kept finding them the wrong way up

 

[MartinG]

Pedals and shoes

Thanks to everyone - looks like Time ATACs and MTB shoes. I'll let you know how I get on!

 

[Scoosh]

+1 to this. I use MTB shoes and Time Atac pedals on both my bents and find them absolutely brilliant. I had single sided Shimanos prior to this, and kept finding them the wrong way up

As an interesting thought - if pedals are designed for using primarily on upright/wrong bikes, they sometimes have a bit of weighting to get them to sit flat - ie horizontal - when in a 'neutral' position.

Is this ever an issue on a 'bent, when you really want the pedals to be vertical ?

 

[MartinG]

As an interesting thought - if pedals are designed for using primarily on upright/wrong bikes, they sometimes have a bit of weighting to get them to sit flat - ie horizontal - when in a 'neutral' position.

Is this ever an issue on a 'bent, when you really want the pedals to be vertical ?

The question had crossed my mind too.

 

[currystomper]

I noted on a Shimano PD-A530 Spd / Platform Pedal box that they are recommended for use with recumbent.......

 

[Black knight]

I have the 530's and would recommend them.

 

[BenM]

Is this ever an issue on a 'bent, when you really want the pedals to be vertical ?

My M324s default to hanging vertical with the cleat side towards me. Works a treat except when I want to use the non-clipped side

B.

 

[Riding in Circles]

ATACs are now available in a version called Gripper which have a platform on one side.

 

[Fiona N]

As an interesting thought - if pedals are designed for using primarily on upright/wrong bikes, they sometimes have a bit of weighting to get them to sit flat - ie horizontal - when in a 'neutral' position.

Is this ever an issue on a 'bent, when you really want the pedals to be vertical ?

Never a problem with 4-sided entry on Crank Brothers pedals

 

[ACW]

Hi you must get cleats, i found that on my nazca fuego if you hit a small bump your foot falls off the peddle with the potential to hit the road or the front wheel. i fitted standard double sided shimano peddles from my mountain bike

 

[mcd]

Never a problem with 4-sided entry on Crank Brothers pedals

+1

They are very easy to clip in - I don't even need to push - the weigh of my foot is enough clip it in! But they are pricey - worth it if you can get them.

I also use Speedplay pedals on my race bike - a lot harder to clip in and the cleats aren't as practical, but when clipped in they are very solid feeling and I've never had a them unintentionally release in over 2 years of racing.