Default Strappy Pedal Thingies (Technique...)

[September]

Hello!

Recently bought a RB and it came with those pedals that have straps and plastic to cup your feet.

Sorry for not knowing the proper name of them...

Anyway, I've given them a good 30 miles of commuting now and they are a PITA! Every time I need to stop at lights or islands and remove my foot from the "cupped" area, it's a mission getting it back in once I've set off.

In fact, it feels dangerous!!!

Does anyone have any advice/techniques for a quick-foot-reinsertion after being set off?

Thanks!

 

[Donger]

Whichever foot you place on the ground when you stop, make that strap just a little bit looser than the other one. This will then help when you set off again. Keep your focus on the road ahead, and only look down when you have got up some speed and it is safe to look down, at which point you will have enough momentum to stop pedalling for a moment. With practice it will become second nature, and you will not need to look at all - though hill starts will always be awkward as your feet will be spinning faster and it is harder to stop pedalling for long enough.

 

[snorri]

sI have these and eventually the straps wore through and fell off. I've never bothered to replace them as the plastic part grips my feet as effectively as I need.
Note. I'm not particularly bothered about performance.

 

[MikeW-71]

It's something you get used to. They are a PITA at first, but with practice you can flip the pedal round and pop your foot back in without even looking.

I actually like them in traffic as you can just pedal on the other side until you know you won't need to stop for a bit, then flip the pedal round.

Don't make them really tight, just enough to keep your feet in place and loose enough that you can easily get your foot out.

 

[Drago]

They're horrible, the reason Hitler annexed Poland.

 

[young Ed]

clipless
sorry
Cheers Ed

 

[Lisat]

They do take a bit of getting used to bit eventually flipping the pedal will be easy. I have just changed from those to SPD so I can either clip in or use the flat side if I am just on a short pedal up road.

 

[Gravity Aided]

They're horrible, the reason Hitler annexed Poland.

Here, I thought it was Danzig and the whole Polish Corridor thingie. Just as easy to go with toeclips and straps.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

They're horrible, the reason Hitler annexed Poland.

clipless
sorry
Cheers Ed

I've been using these for over 25 years, I prefere them to clipless, like clipless it takes a little time to learn how to use them, theres a sweet spot where they are just loose enough to slip a foot out but tight enough so you can pull up against the straps, take your time getting in and out and slip your foot in either with the pedal stopped, free wheeling or turning very slowly.

 

[John the Monkey]

I've been using these for over 25 years, I prefere them to clipless, like clipless it takes a little time to learn how to use them, theres a sweet spot where they are just loose enough to slip a foot out but tight enough so you can pull up against the straps, take your time getting in and out and slip your foot in either with the pedal stopped, free wheeling or turning very slowly.

I never got on with them, personally, and had more "clipless moments" with toeclips and straps than I have on SPD or SPD-SL.

I'd sooner ride flats than go back to these blasted things, but opinions and experiences vary, obviously

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I never got on with them, personally, and had more "clipless moments" with toeclips and straps than I have on SPD or SPD-SL.

I'd sooner ride flats than go back to these blasted things, but opinions and experiences vary, obviously

Its strange how it works, I've had clipless on one of my bikes for the last 4 years and whilst most people prefer them I dont, when I first started on clips and straps that was all we had and I got tips from the other lads in the club as to the best way to use them.

 

[September]

Thanks for the input all. I've done another 20 miles today with plenty of stop/starting. I'm getting there.... Actually did it once without looking. Glad it's just technique.

I'll look into clippies or clipless in a month or two, once I'm used to the RB itself.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

It's a sort of down and back motion until the pedal straightens and then you sort of spear the toeclip with your shoes while it's pretty much horizontal. Or at least that's how I remember it. I grew up using them and you end up not having to look quite soon. The weight of the toeclip cage tends to keep the pedal in the same position which means it's pretty much in the same place and angle for it to become routine.

 

[young Ed]

I've been using these for over 25 years, I prefere them to clipless, like clipless it takes a little time to learn how to use them, theres a sweet spot where they are just loose enough to slip a foot out but tight enough so you can pull up against the straps, take your time getting in and out and slip your foot in either with the pedal stopped, free wheeling or turning very slowly.

just my experiences and opinions
i find the increase in power and the added climbing ability is one i really like from clipless and find it just isn't quite as good with toe straps/cages, but that is just me
Cheers Ed

 

[Deleted member 1258]

just my experiences and opinions
i find the increase in power and the added climbing ability is one i really like from clipless and find it just isn't quite as good with toe straps/cages, but that is just me

I find no difference between clips and straps and clipless, I can go the same pace on both systems, the only thing I get is being restricted to cycle shoes whilst on clipless, I don't have the the convenience of wearing any footwear I like.