Pedal strike and platform pedals

[Rex Kerr]

So, I've been slowly warming to this idea of using platform pedals.  I actually compromised and went half way, using cream colored PowerGrip straps that Rivendell was selling at the time and the MKS touring pedals that they sell.  This setup works fairly well for me and I'm starting to prefer it over having to wear dedicated shoes, even though I was wearing Shimano sandals.  That said, after years of using tiny little Frog pedals I got accustomed to how much cornering clearance I had and don't remember the last time that I experienced pedal strike [except for one time on my fixed gear].  Now, though, I seem to do it at least once per ride, even on turns that seem like nothing whatsoever!  Worse, a few times I've grabbed the toe of my sandal and flipped it down! (I sure hope I don't break a toe or tear my awesome Chaco sandals!)   

So, now I'm wondering... are there other paltform pedals that give a little more ground clearance? Is it just something I'll have to learn to deal with?  Are the King Grips any better [for clearance]?  How about the RMX sneaker pedal with its corners rounded off?

How long did it take you (if you converted to platforms) to become accustomed to the reduced clearance?

[David Faller]

Pedal strike is more of a "habit" problem than a pedal problem, at least
for me. You start to learn what you can and can't get away with on
corners. Narrower pedals definitely help, but not as much as you might
think.

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[charlie]

Hmmm....weird.....would think the diff to be only 10 -12mm since the
thickness of the pedal cage is about one inch with the axle running
through the center. On those froggy pedals the axle is the same basic
size and so wouldn't be more than 6 -7 mm farther from the ground.
(I'm curious, maybe do some actual measuring, maybe its more) I own a
Trucker with 175 cranks and a new Hillborne with the same, using
platforms and never have hit the ground. My 'SO' has 170's and
inexpensive bear trap style pedals and never have I hit pavement.
Maybe keep your turning side pedal up or get 165-170 cranks if you
like to pedal through corners. I only pedal through corners on my
recumbent.....never on my uprights.

[Blindrobert]

I wouldn't worry about it. If you're riding a Riv you probably aren't
racing...don't pedal through the corners and keep your outside crank
in the down position if you are turning agressively at high speed (you
should do that regardless of what pedal you are using). I've used the
MKS touring pedal on my AHH and Bombadil for years and never had a
problem. I have done long tours, everyday riding around town, fast-
paced but casual group rides. It's just not an issue. It's not an
issue on my Fraces or Waterford fixed gear bikes either - same setup:
MKS touring pedals with clips and straps.

A few months ago I put a pair of grip kings on my AHH and haven't had
any problem with that pedal either. I'm sure you could make the pedal
strike if you wanted, but it would be the result of poor riding
judgement rather than a shortcoming of the equipment. Platforms=one
less obstacle to getting on your bike and riding it. I say go for
it! Good luck!

[Rex Kerr]

On Sat, May 19, 2012 at 4:17 PM, charlie <cl_...@hotmail.com> wrote:

Hmmm....weird.....would think the diff to be only 10 -12mm since the
thickness of the pedal cage is about one inch with the axle running
through the center. On those froggy pedals the axle is the same

It's more than that though, because the frogs end half way through the width of the shoe, so at the most extreme end you have about two inches extra clearance...   I should measure the difference in angle.

Thing is, I don't pedal through sharp turns, never have, but there are some places where it feels like I'm hardly turning at all, where it doesn't trigger my "don't pedal, keep that foot up" instinct where I'm hitting now... I'm frequently shocked that it was enough lean to cause a strike.  I'm mostly curious how long it took other people to get accustomed to the difference.  Apparently I had a well honed sense of how much clearance I had before and was missing by less than an inch!

[Andy Smitty Schmidt]

I pedal strike on occasion on my AHH with 175 cranks and king grips. I have another bike that needs new cranks, so I'm leaning towards moving the current 175 AHH cranks over and getting 170s for Homer. But like others have said... I think it's more a user error than a problem with the bike. 

--Andy 

[Grant Petersen]

I agree with all...but happen to have micro-knowledge about some
particulars. The Grip King pedal has the best clearance of any pedal
we sell...was designed to win and does. Much of this is obvioius, but
here it is all at once: Pedal clearance is only a function of
how far the pedal sticks out (related to crank Q-Factor, of course)
crank length
pedal cage height
bottom bracket height---which itself comes from frame drop and wheel
radius (radius minus drop is bb height).

The CPSC Consumer Products Safety Commission requires (or used to; I
dunno if it's changed) 25-degrees of lean before contact, and we have
a spreadsheet that lets us plug in any combination with any of the
pedals we offer, and so...a Roll-y Pol-y* tire on an A. Homer Hilsen
with 175mm cranks and MKS Touring pedals doesn't quite make it, but
once you're up to Jack Brown territory and any pedal other than the
Touring, then all's well.

But---as everybody has said--it's mostly a matter of learning the
limits and pedaling within 'em.

[Rex Kerr]

Thank you Grant.  I might be ordering a set of King Grip pedals soon to give them a try -- I did ride them on your Hunqapillar bike the last time I was there, and IIRC they supported my feet well.  And in the meantime, I'll keep trying to retrain myself. :-)

[Rex Kerr]

On Tue, May 22, 2012 at 3:33 PM, Rex Kerr <rex...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thank you Grant.  I might be ordering a set of King Grip pedals soon to give them a try -- I did ride them on your Hunqapillar bike the last time I was there, and IIRC they supported my feet well.  And in the meantime, I'll keep trying to retrain myself. :-)

By "your", I meant the showroom one... didn't grab your personal bike. :-)

[Michael Hechmer]

Rex, I rode on Frogs almost exclusively for the better part of a decade and loved them because they gave my knees lots of freedom while keeping my feet (usually in Keen Commuters) firmly on the pedal, and they allowed me to pedal through fast corners when I felt I wanted or needed to, as when cycling on narrow lanes, roundabouts, etc. After foot surgery I decided it would be wise if I varied my pedal choice.  I tried the grip kings for one winter but never really got to liking them.  My foot slid around on the pedal in ways that was disconcerting.  Then I sprung for a pair of the White Ind. Urban Pedal and have really liked them.  They are about 1" narrower than the grip king so provide better corner clearance.  I ride them with the Bruce Gordon strapless toe clip and they do a  decent job of keeping my feet in place.  Two downsides - the BG clips wont feel good with sandals, and the price, which is extravagant.  But the pedals are a work of art.  BTW, if you order them together from BG he gives a discount, but his "large" is a little tight for my size 13 New Balance sneaks. 

Still love the frogs.  

Michael

Michael

[charlie]

If you get the GK's put some pins into them as a custom option. They
really help. I ride a couple different BMX style platforms (with pins)
and my feet stick to them just fine.