Pedals Shoes and Cleats
This is an introduction to pedals, shoes and cleats. In order to keep your foot attached to the pedal when pedaling, you need something to hold them there. If your foot slips off of the pedal, you will know about it. You usually rip the skin from your shins.
If you happen to be standing up and pedaling at the time that your foot slips, you could land on the cross bar injuring something else. Short of bolting your shoes directly to the pedals, there have been several systems that have been invented over the years.
View showing a pedal with toe clip and strap.
The toe clip system was invented which consists of a toe clip and a set of straps. You place your foot into the clips and tighten the straps up to hold your foot in place. As you can imagine, this can be quite dangerous if you need to pull your foot out in an emergency.
Most bikes come with a normal platform pedal and these will usually allow the fitting of toe clips and straps. One other option that I used for some time was just the plastic toe clip itself. I removed the straps. This only had the effect of stopping my foot from slipping forward.
Then cleats were invented. These are attached to the bottom of the shoe and locks to the cleat mechanism on the pedal. You require pedals and shoes that allow cleats to be fitted to be able to use a cleat system.
View showing an SPD pedal.
There are several sorts of cleats available and not all cleats will fit another cleat system's pedal. The two most common types are the SPD and the SPD-SL. The SPD is preferred by most people as it is a recessed cleat. It is recessed into the sole of the shoe and allows you to walk properly.
View showing a typical SPD-SL pedal.
SPD-SL style cleats stick out from the bottom of the shoe, and forces you to waddle like a duck when you walk. Apart from one cleat system not fitting another's, the shoes also will only fit one particular style of cleat. SPD cleats have two holes, whilst SPD-SL cleats have three holes.
View showing an SPD cleat and a view of the three hole mountings for an SPD-SL cleat.
Most cleats will release by twisting the foot outwards away from the bike. This can be made harder or easier by adjusting the tension on the spring release mechanism within the pedal. SPD cleats also come in a multi release version which is the version I prefer. They can be released by twisting the foot left or right, or by pulling the foot up at an angle.
When I first started riding with cleats, I had them adjusted so they would disengage quite easily. It was just the same as toe straps. You have to remember to remove your foot before you stop. I always make it a habit to remove both feet before stopping.
