Cycling Pedals

Pedals

• Most higher end bikes Don't come with pedals

• Bike pedals are very user specific and you have many options

  • Plain Rubber Pedals 

    • These work for most causal riding whiles wearing most walking or hiking shoes

    • If your bike came with these, keep them - we can talk about other options after a few rides

      • There is a small benefit to upgrading to all medal pedals

      • There is a significant performance benefit to switching to clipless if you are racing or going long distances

      • Economy pedals can break on high adventure - this can be a catastrophic event

        • Extra pedals should be carried in the SAG Wagon

      • Upgrade

        • Race Face Chester

          • Not expensive

  • Clipless Pedals 

    • Long distance riding and some racing will benefit from "clipless pedals" 

      • Really makes a difference when sprinting

        • Helps you maximize force into your pedals

        • Helps you stay on your pedals - huge safety benifit 

    • These are designed for specialized bikes shoes with cleats

    • Requires specialized bike shoes with cleats

    • There are several different styles and brands of cleats

    • MTB Cleats

      • These are often referred to as SPD pedals (Shimano Pedaling Dynamics) - even for non Shimano brands

    • Road Cleats

      • Often referred to as SPD-SL or LOOK style

  • Platform Pedals

    • These are flat pedals, often with protruding screws around the perimeter of pedal to allow pedal to "bite" into sole of shoes

    • Used when riding with "street shoes"

    • Search and rescue folks will often used Platform Pedals so they can also wear hiking boots

    •  Some mountain bike riding through rough terrain may be safer with Platform Pedals compared to being locked in

  • Combo Pedal

    • Clipless on one side and Platform on the other

    • Allows you to wear both street shoes and cycling shoes

    • Allows to you to clip and unclip as terrain dictates

  • Clips

    • These are attached to flat pedals and form a cage around each foot

      • To use, slide in your shoe and then tighten the strap to lock in your shoe

      • Unclipping requires that you loosen the strap 

    • This is an option when non-bike shoes are required

      • Wearing work shoes to work

      • Search and rescue where you want hiking boots for dismounted ops

    • These can be challenging to get out of in urban settings

      • NOT recommended for Scouts use in Urban areas