Have you recently been wondering why you could ever want to “clip-in” to a “clipless pedal?” It sounds absurd, right?
But before diving into where the clipless pedal got its silly name, or what a clipless pedal even is, it would be valuable to at least explore all the options, which can seem complicated and confusing.
Starting with the basics of the pedal’s anatomy may help some.
The pedal is the single most crucial aspect of the cycling experience. It connects the rider to the machine. Without the pedals, there is no energy transfer from the cyclist to the bicycle. And neither can go anywhere without them.
There are three main components to the pedal:
1. The spindle
2. The body
3. The bearings
The body mounts to the spindle, allowing for rotation along the spindle axis. The bearings simply allow this to happen with minimal friction and heat build-up.
Types
There are several different types of pedals, depending on what variety of cycling you intend to do.
Platform pedals
You may be tempted to conjure up visions of a three-year-old’s tricycle pedal when thinking about platform pedals. But they have evolved considerably, even in the last few years.
For example, the Bontrager Line Pro MTB Pedal Set offers some high-tech features for the serious cyclist:
- Tuneable traction pins to help avoid foot slippage
- Sealed cartridge bearings
- 6061-T6 aluminum body
Platform pedals are commonly used by commuters, recreational cyclists, and mountain bike riders. The large, flat surface allows for more freedom and maneuverability. Also, platforms are ideal for those who wear street shoes while riding.
Pedals with toe clips
These are platform pedals that have toe clips and straps to secure the cyclist’s shoes on the pedal without slipping off. The toe clip is a thin metal or plastic attachment to the front cage of the pedal.
The toe clip is shaped like the toe of a shoe and its function is to prevent a cyclist’s shoe from slipping off the pedal during the forward pedaling motion. It usually comes with a strap made of nylon or leather that holds the foot securely in place. The main drawback of this system is that the rider has to first loosen the strap when coming to a complete stop.
Some manufacturers still make pedals with toe clips. Wellgo currently offers a platform pedal set with a combination toe clip & strap, which is designed to increase pedal stroke efficiency. However, when it comes to the mainstream, most riders prefer clipless.
What exactly are clipless pedals?
This is the confusing part. A clipless pedal is one that excludes the toe clip and strap. But this does not mean that there is no clip … click here to read further information.
The post Clipless Pedals: Why Are They Called Clipless? appeared first on Cycling How.
Clipless Pedals: Why Are They Called Clipless? was first posted on Cycling How
This article is created successfully on August 04, 2023 at 08:03PM
Please be noted that this post also submit on CyclingHow on Weebly.
Actually, you can find out the original article with the title: Clipless Pedals: Why Are They Called Clipless?.
Comments
Post a Comment