Help with platform pedals...

[Rex Kerr]

My continuing saga with platform pedals... [question follows long spiel]

As I've stated before, I have been a long time user of Speedplay Frog clipless pedals, which I had no reason to dislike.  That said, the "wear any shoes and just jump on the bike" argument is quite compelling, so I decided to give platforms another chance.  After so many years I'm finding them to be more challenging that I expected. :-)

1) Small muscles around the ankles that I'm not accustomed to using get a workout keeping the food on the pedal -- mostly over that.

2) A bit uncertain feeling on rough descents -- still not over that.

3) Major discomfort, feeling like my foot was rolling off the edge.  I finally figured out that my root problem was the same as that which I overcame years ago with clipless pedals.  My Frogs are all special ordered with 1/2" longer spindles due to a slightly duck-toed stance.  I added some Specialized BG spindle extenders to my platform pedals and they're MUCH more comfortable!  This alone resolved 90% of my complaints!

4) Pedal strike -- I'm finally retraining myself that I have less clearance than I'm accustomed to.  Sometimes wish I had a little more clearance when cornering and trying to keep up in traffic.

...and #5...  ...the one I write about today...

Starting up again after a stop!  I've become accustomed to just stopping with my feet in whatever position I want.  I put my weight on the dominant leg as I lower myself off the saddle and put my other foot on the ground to finally stop.  Problem is, now I'm in a bad position to restart.  If the light changes quickly I'm unprepared.  With clipless I'd just lift my foot and the crank would follow my foot and be in a good position.  Not so easy with platforms.  I guess I could train myself to lower the other foot on stops, but that seems awkward too, not to mention that the crank ends up at TDC, which isn't right either.  

So, is there some easy technique that I never learned in my childhood years when I last used platform pedals, or must I just get accustomed to using my toe to re-position the pedal, regardless of how long that takes?

Thanks!

-Rex

[Joe Broach]

On Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 3:56 PM, Rex Kerr <rex...@gmail.com> wrote:

> So, is there some easy technique that I never learned in my childhood years

> when I last used platform pedals [...]

I just stop with my pedal foot (right, for me) at 2 o'clock, ready for
takeoff. Just use the brakes like you were about to start a trackstand
(I still can't do one!), and put the off foot down. Easily mastered
mini-trick.

> must I just get accustomed to using my
> toe to re-position the pedal, regardless of how long that takes?

How long does it take you? When I get stopped out of position, I just
lift up with a toe, step on it, and I'm off. It's rare I see a
clipless rider take any less time to clip in and get moving.

It is a little ironic how important the shoes are to happy clip-free
riding. You still have to match shoe to pedal, to some extent.

Best,
joe broach
portland, or

[Rex Kerr]

On Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 4:17 PM, Joe Broach <joeb...@gmail.com> wrote:

I just stop with my pedal foot (right, for me) at 2 o'clock, ready for

takeoff. Just use the brakes like you were about to start a trackstand
(I still can't do one!), and put the off foot down. Easily mastered
mini-trick.

I tried that.  Still feels a bit awkward, and requires me to be a bit more prepared... perhaps with practice...

 

How long does it take you? When I get stopped out of position, I just

lift up with a toe, step on it, and I'm off. It's rare I see a
clipless rider take any less time to clip in and get moving.

Not long, but I'm very fast getting into my clipless.  Never have to look, and 99% of the time I hit the engagement on the first try and first stroke.  Maybe I'm just impatient. :-)

It is a little ironic how important the shoes are to happy clip-free

riding. You still have to match shoe to pedal, to some extent.

Actually, that's part of my problem.  I ride in sandals (always have, even with the frogs -- rode Shimano SPD sandals) and grabbing the rough pedal with my toe requires a bit more caution. :-)

Thanks for the input!

[Rambouilleting Utahn]

As a recent convert back to platforms I suffered with the same issue. After about a month of picking my pedal up with my toe I realized that if I came to a stop a little further forward than I wanted to be and then rolled the bike back with my foot on the lead off pedal it would be in the right position. 

your milage my vary

On Tuesday, September 25, 2012 4:56:28 PM UTC-6, Rex Kerr wrote:

My continuing saga with platform pedals... [question follows long spiel]

[Kelly]

Well just as finding the right clipless pedal was important, finding the right platform pedal is important too.  After going to BMX style / size pedals I've found my sweat spot for my size 13's.  The shoe hasn't really mattered everything from flimsy sandals to dress shoes.  That's me.. I too just lift the pedal up at stop signs with my toe.  Only time I really miss clipless anymore after two years.  I never did experience the muscle fatigue you experienced.

Good luck finding your way... 

Kelly

Note my wife never did finalize the switch.. she rides platforms on tour but week night club rides she's clipped in.

[Joe Broach]

On Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 4:29 PM, Rex Kerr <rex...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Actually, that's part of my problem. I ride in sandals (always have, even
> with the frogs -- rode Shimano SPD sandals) and grabbing the rough pedal
> with my toe requires a bit more caution. :-)

Oh, yeah. I get that lesson at the start of every summer when I switch
to Chacos on my spiked pedals. Usually only takes a couple of times to
sink in for the season.

[Steve Palincsar]

On Tue, 2012-09-25 at 15:56 -0700, Rex Kerr wrote:
> Starting up again after a stop! I've become accustomed to just
> stopping with my feet in whatever position I want. I put my weight on
> the dominant leg as I lower myself off the saddle and put my other
> foot on the ground to finally stop. Problem is, now I'm in a bad
> position to restart. If the light changes quickly I'm unprepared.
> With clipless I'd just lift my foot and the crank would follow my foot
> and be in a good position. Not so easy with platforms. I guess I
> could train myself to lower the other foot on stops, but that seems
> awkward too, not to mention that the crank ends up at TDC, which isn't
> right either.

Give it a little nudge, almost a kick, and it will come around. It may
bump to a stop on your leg. However: don't be too enthusiastic, don't
use too much force, especially with "beartrap" pedals.

And definitely not with beartrap pedals you have, without noticing it,
been honing the teeth every time you make a 180 degree right turn and
every so slightly ground the pedal, the way I did every day for almost
10 years on my commute.

So one day, after ten years of patient, if unknowning honing, I gave
that pedal a mighty kick rather than a gentle nudge, and the pedal came
around with considerable force and BAM! dug those sharpened teeth right
into my leg. I then moved my leg, and the teeth raked down my shin.
That was in 1995. I still have the scars.

[Rex Kerr]

On Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 4:55 PM, Steve Palincsar <pali...@his.com> wrote:

Give it a little nudge, almost a kick, and it will come around.  It may

bump to a stop on your leg.  However: don't be too enthusiastic, don't
use too much force, especially with "beartrap" pedals.

I have far too many negative memories of the consequences of that action to try it... :-) 

[lungimsam]

I stopped using frogs, and went to MKS Touring pedals (wide enough for foot - no rolling off), and MKS Medium deep toe clips - no straps.

 

This keeps my feet glued to the pedals on rough descents, and helps me wind up the pedal to the position I want when at stops.

 

Easy in-out, because I don't use straps. 

[Rex Kerr]

I have both the Grip King and Touring pedals. Both needed spindle extensions for me to be comfortable. I guess I'm just wonky. :) Size 14 feet probably contribute to it too, since the same angle means more outward distance needed at the toe to clear the crank arm at the heel than an average sized foot. 

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[charlie]

I've never noticed my start up to be hindered in any way with my BMX pin pedals. I did have my feet slip off when I first changed over to platforms just because my muscles were used to being attached and so were a little 'lazy' in that regard. Can't imagine riding with retention now...........life is better now.