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recessed vs non-recessed cleat on clipless pedal shoes



 
 
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  #11  
Old September 13th 03, 06:19 AM
Mike Jacoubowsky
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Default recessed vs non-recessed cleat on clipless pedal shoes

I am buying a new road bike after 15 years of riding my Schwinn La
Tour. I am probably getting a Cannondale R600 or maybe a Trek 1500. I
am also going to switch from sneaker in a pedal cage to clipless
pedals. Should I get the typical road shoe that has the cleat that
sticks out and makes it difficult to walk, or should I get the
recessed cleat shoe (typically thought of for mountain biking. I will
be biking about three days a week, 10 to 25 miles each time.


I'd go for recessed-cleat (walkable) shoes for the type of riding you're
going to be doing. The way I see it, you're going to use your bike more if
it's convenient to do so, and with recessed-cleat shoes, you can walk into a
store and not have to worry about slipping & sliding on the floor, grabbing
a can display on the way down (I actually did that many years ago).

The advantages to a non-recessed system come primarily from lighter weight
and, for me, a bit more secure feeling than I have with SPD, but if my rides
were shorter and I was using my bike for commuting, errands, etc., SPD would
be the way I'd go (they're also a lot less expensive than a setup with LOOK
or Speedplay pedals).

You'll love the TREK 1500... if you can find one. That's got to be the
all-time hard-to-get bike for our shop. One of the few times we've actually
had waiting lists for a model.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
http://www.ChainReactionBicycles.com


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  #12  
Old September 14th 03, 12:13 AM
Rick Onanian
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Default recessed vs non-recessed cleat on clipless pedal shoes

On 12 Sep 2003 20:59:46 -0700, mark watkins wrote:
What do ATB, MTB, and SPD stand for?


ATB / MTB: All Terrain / Mountain Bike

SPD: Shimano Pedal uhh umm something or other.
It seems to be the most common MTB pedal system.

--
Rick Onanian
  #13  
Old September 14th 03, 08:04 PM
F1
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Default recessed vs non-recessed cleat on clipless pedal shoes

I just "upgraded" to clipless pedals and was very surprised at how dangerous
it was to talk in the shoes. I nearly had an accident just walking to my
bike, then another when stopping to adjust the spring in the pedal. If I
could do it again, I would get the recessed shoes. I still feel more
comfortable in the old caged pedals, but perhaps that will come with time.

"mark watkins" wrote in message
m...
I am buying a new road bike after 15 years of riding my Schwinn La
Tour. I am probably getting a Cannondale R600 or maybe a Trek 1500. I
am also going to switch from sneaker in a pedal cage to clipless
pedals. Should I get the typical road shoe that has the cleat that
sticks out and makes it difficult to walk, or should I get the
recessed cleat shoe (typically thought of for mountain biking. I will
be biking about three days a week, 10 to 25 miles each time.



  #14  
Old September 14th 03, 08:32 PM
Peter Cole
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Default recessed vs non-recessed cleat on clipless pedal shoes

"Mark Weaver" wrote in message
...
This should make everyone shudder -- with my road bike I use sneakers and
powergrips. No problems at all walking when I get off the bike

So other than a bit of weight & aerodynamics, what am I really giving up
over clipless pedals?


Sneakers are fine for short rides, the flexible soles aren't that great for
intense riding or long rides.

Powergrips are OK, but they can trap a foot in a fall. They're nowhere near as
secure or easy to get into as something like SPDs.



  #15  
Old September 15th 03, 01:41 AM
Mark Weaver
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Default recessed vs non-recessed cleat on clipless pedal shoes


"Peter Cole" wrote in message
t...
"Mark Weaver" wrote in message
...
This should make everyone shudder -- with my road bike I use sneakers

and
powergrips. No problems at all walking when I get off the bike

So other than a bit of weight & aerodynamics, what am I really giving up
over clipless pedals?


Sneakers are fine for short rides, the flexible soles aren't that great

for
intense riding or long rides.


Well, I'm doing hour to hour-and-a-half training rides at 20-22 mph average.
Is that too long or intense for flexible soles? I do distance running in
flexible soled shoes too--why should biking be harder on the feet or require
more support than running?

Powergrips are OK, but they can trap a foot in a fall. They're nowhere

near as
secure or easy to get into as something like SPDs.


Hmmm. Never had that problem. I can get of them quickly -- with the same
basic motion as used with clipless pedals I believe. That is, twist your
heel out, strap loosens, pull out foot. Seems to me that the only way your
foot could get trapped would be if you forget to twist your heel out. I've
heard stories, though, of people unable to release clipless pedals and
taking spills.

Mark


  #17  
Old September 15th 03, 12:58 PM
Peter Cole
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Posts: n/a
Default recessed vs non-recessed cleat on clipless pedal shoes


"Mark Weaver" wrote in message
...

"Peter Cole" wrote in message
t...
"Mark Weaver" wrote in message
...
This should make everyone shudder -- with my road bike I use sneakers

and
powergrips. No problems at all walking when I get off the bike

So other than a bit of weight & aerodynamics, what am I really giving up
over clipless pedals?


Sneakers are fine for short rides, the flexible soles aren't that great

for
intense riding or long rides.


Well, I'm doing hour to hour-and-a-half training rides at 20-22 mph average.
Is that too long or intense for flexible soles? I do distance running in
flexible soled shoes too--why should biking be harder on the feet or require
more support than running?


The human body evolved for walking and running, not cycling. Pedal pressure is
centered around the ball of the foot, but is delivered through the ankle.
Without stiff soled shoes, the foot tends to flex with pedaling forces,
requiring additional muscle contraction to stiffen it.

Powergrips are OK, but they can trap a foot in a fall. They're nowhere

near as
secure or easy to get into as something like SPDs.


Hmmm. Never had that problem. I can get of them quickly -- with the same
basic motion as used with clipless pedals I believe. That is, twist your
heel out, strap loosens, pull out foot. Seems to me that the only way your
foot could get trapped would be if you forget to twist your heel out. I've
heard stories, though, of people unable to release clipless pedals and
taking spills.


Clipless pedals are mostly a safety feature. Powergrips work OK until you take
a spill, that's where your foot gets trapped.


  #18  
Old September 16th 03, 02:46 AM
Rick Onanian
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Default recessed vs non-recessed cleat on clipless pedal shoes

On Sun, 14 Sep 2003 19:04:39 GMT, F1
wrote:
bike, then another when stopping to adjust the spring in the pedal. If I
could do it again, I would get the recessed shoes. I still feel more


Recess it yourself. Cut some blocks off the soles of a cheap
pair of sandals, and epoxy them on to the bottom of the shoe.

Just be sure they don't interfere with the pedal engagement
or disengagement, and make sure they walk okay. You may need
to add some to the rear of the shoe to even it out.

Try with a weak glue first just to see if it works, then epoxy.

--
Rick Onanian
 




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