pedals

[threefingerjoe]

I'm seriously considering buying a long wheelbase recumbant. I've never owned a recumbant, but at the moment, I'm considering the Rans Stratus XP.

Here is my question. I've always ridden with the old-fashioned rat-trap pedals with toe clips/straps. Will this type of pedal work ok on a long wheelbase recumbant? Has anyone tried it? I really don't want to go clipless, because I don't want to deal with carrying street shoes to walk around when I get off the bike.

Any thoughts? ( I mean, any thoughts other than that I'm a total idiot for not going clipless?)

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Andy in Sig]

What Mr Paul says and get the pedals which are normal on one side and clipped on the other. While the case for using clips on a recumbent is stronger than for uprights, you can still pedal along perfectly happily without them. I've got the clipped/normal set up on my recumbent and it's fine.

 

[banjokat]

Using toeclips and straps (with the straps fastened) isn't a great idea on any two wheel recumbent. However, if you must, then a LWB with a low bottom bracket would be the one to do it on.

 

[tdr1nka]

I have Shimano M324 pedals on my KMX and they are great, clipless on one side and flat platform on the other.
Before I had these pedals I tried using toeclips & straps but found because of the riding position it was a lot more difficult to get my feet in and comfortable.
Toeclips are definately not that practical if you are going to be riding in urban traffic either.

 

[Riding in Circles]

Yes clipless are the answer, gravity will at some point beat the clips and straps and your foot will slide off the pedal.

I favour pedals with a lot of float as I find they do not stress my knees, one of which is wrecked anyway.

 

[BentMikey]

Much more importantly, most of the LWB recumbents will have the fashion police onto you.

 

[tdr1nka]

...gravity will at some point beat the clips and straps and your foot will slide off the pedal.

Invariably just when you need to add the power!

 

[banjokat]

Much more importantly, most of the LWB recumbents will have the fashion police onto you.

And rightly so

 

[Arch]

Using toeclips and straps (with the straps fastened) isn't a great idea on any two wheel recumbent. However, if you must, then a LWB with a low bottom bracket would be the one to do it on.

Unless it's one of those very low racers where you can get a hand down instead of a foot....

On my trike I use double sided pedals (one side spd, one side plain), and shoes that I can also walk in, which suits me pretty well.

 

[NickM]

Unless it's one of those very low racers where you can get a hand down instead of a foot....

If you're constructed like one McD of this parish you can get a hand to the ground while sitting clipped in on an M5 high racer with 700C wheels

It's true, I've seen him do it!

 

[BentMikey]

ROTFL, he is a bit of an ape in that respect!