clipless pedal question

madmax7 · #1 11-18.-2007

hey, this is my first post and this seems like a really cool forum
but i was wondering, i have spina bifida and this caused my left foot to have a lot of problems and there is an extremely limited range of motion in it. i was thinking about getting some clipless pedals but i don't really know if i would be able to do the right movements needed to release my foot. is there any other way to release your foot other than twisting the ankle. or maybe i don't understand how cp's work at all. any help would be much appreciated, thanks

mikesbytes · #2 11-18.-2007

Why don't you try them out at the local bike shop.

Alternative to clipless, is rattrap pedals and cleated shoes, you undo the strap and take the foot out backwards. Only for experienced riders.

madmax7 · #3 11-18.-2007

alright thanks, will do. hopefully its more of a motion in the leg than in the ankle

Jonahhobbes · #4 11-19.-2007

You can loosen clipless pedals up a bit, so you actually don't need an awful lot of strength or twisting to get out of them. I'd suggest VP MTB clipless pedals; they have a wide area that look more like a normal pedal and I would imagine they would be much easier to get in and out of compared to the "egg-beater" type pedals that most people associate with clipless.

I have a set of VP-X82 on my commute bike and have never had any trouble with them apart from them being heavy, they have the advantage of being able to be ridden with normal shoes too at a pinch.

Here's a link: http://www.vpcomponents.com/pedals.asp?pcat2=2

I'll give it a go just trying to get out of them using knee motion only. Is this the sort of range of motion you have?

mikeg · #5 11-19.-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmax7

hey, this is my first post and this seems like a really cool forum
but i was wondering, i have spina bifida and this caused my left foot to have a lot of problems and there is an extremely limited range of motion in it. i was thinking about getting some clipless pedals but i don't really know if i would be able to do the right movements needed to release my foot. is there any other way to release your foot other than twisting the ankle. or maybe i don't understand how cp's work at all. any help would be much appreciated, thanks

You might try the Shimano Multi-directional release SPD cleats

http://www.deanwoods.com.au/store/prod1989.htm

for use on SPD pedals and MTB/Touring shoes.

Alternatively Crank Bros pedals might also be a solution.

Ask at your LBS

Mike

madmax7 · #6 11-19.-2007

thank you for all the suggestions. i'm thinking about going by the lbs tomorrow to try some out.

i can twist my leg pretty well though. another concern i have is that my feet point outward and its hard to keep them straight, should this be a big problem?

mikeg · #7 11-20.-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmax7

thank you for all the suggestions. i'm thinking about going by the lbs tomorrow to try some out.

i can twist my leg pretty well though. another concern i have is that my feet point outward and its hard to keep them straight, should this be a big problem?

If you feet point outward with normal straight operation of knee, then you should maintain as best as you can the same angle of you feet on the pedals,
otherwise you will get knee problems such as ITB.

See http://www.cptips.com/footsyn.htm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cycling Performance Tips

Everyone has a natural angle that each of their feet prefers to be at. Some are duck-footed, some are pigeon-toed. When you walk or ride without cleats, your foot assumes this angle. It is important that the cleat is adjusted so as to permit your foot to be at its natural angle. This is less of an issue if you ride pedals with "float" (limited rotational freedom) in the cleat attachment. Most newer clipless pedals offer at least some float.

It may take some time to find the ideal cleat position. Initially go for easy rides to check the position and ensure it's right for your knees. If you feel any stress or strain, change the angle slightly to eliminate discomfort. The rule-of-thumb is to continue adjusting your cleats until you feel no torsional, or "twisting," stress in your leg as you pedal. Listen to your body.

For optimum cleats positioning, you can visit a bicycle shop that utilizes The RAD, or Rotational Adjustment Device. This tool is widely regarded as one of the most reliable methods for setting the cleat position on the cycling shoe allowing for the rider's natural gait.

For additional thoughts on cleat postioning see the section on knee pain.

and knee pain section http://www.cptips.com/knee.htm

Mike

Jonahhobbes · #8 11-25.-2007

Did you get to try out the clipless pedals Madmax?

alfeng · #9 11-25.-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmax7

but i was wondering, i have spina bifida and this caused my left foot to have a lot of problems and there is an extremely limited range of motion in it. i was thinking about getting some clipless pedals but i don't really know if i would be able to do the right movements needed to release my foot. is there any other way to release your foot other than twisting the ankle. or maybe i don't understand how cp's work at all. any help would be much appreciated, thanks

FWIW. Despite the limited range of motion in your left foot, if you are able to unclip your right foot [this requires moving the REAR of the cleat about 30+ (?) degrees to disegage it from the binding which is executed by moving your heel outward-or-inward by an appropriate amount] AND depending on your pedaling style, you can actually use almost any LOOK/-type/-derivative pedal ... BUT, for on left shoe, you will want to mount a SHIMANO/-type SPD-compatible cleat (which is smaller than the pedal BINDING'S "opening") ...

Essentially, the cleat on the left foot will only/(simply) keep your foot/shoe in the pedal as long as you are pushing down/forward, but when you want to release your left foot, removal simply means backing your foot off the pedal.

Depending on your pedaling style, you could use an SPD cleat on both shoes if you wanted ...

alfeng · #10 11-25.-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmax7

... i can twist my leg pretty well though. another concern i have is that my feet point outward and its hard to keep them straight, should this be a big problem?

I think that a problem you may encounter (if you haven't already) is that you may find that the heel of your shoe(s) MAY rub against the crankarm(s) ... I've seen crankarms where people have worn grooves into the arms as a consequence of the repeated heel-to-crank contact.

madmax7 · #11 11-25.-2007

well i tried them out and they don't seem to be too much of a problem. i'm gonna start saving up for some right away, thanks for all your help

alfeng, YES. except that instead of a groove in the crank arm it's a sore on the inside of my heel. its a nasty problem and there has been a scab there for almost a year since i constantly keep reopening it. i heard something about these guards that you can put on your feet to prevent this from happening but i can't find any.

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