27
E. Pedals
1. Toe Overlap is when your toe can touch the front wheel when you turn the handlebars to steer
while a pedal is in the forwardmost position. This is common on small-framed bicycles, and is
avoided by keeping the inside pedal up and the outside pedal down when making sharp turns.
This technique will also prevent the inside pedal from striking the ground in a turn.
WARNING:
t
oe
o
verlap
Could
Cause
you
to
lose
Control
and
fall
. a
sk
your
dealer
to
help
you
determine
if
the
Combination
of
frame
size
,
Crank
arm
length
,
pedal
design
and
shoes
you
will
use
results
in
pedal
overlap
. i
f
you
have
overlap
,
you
must
keep
the
inside
pedal
up
and
the
outside
pedal
down
when
making
sharp
turns
.
2. Some bicycles come equipped with pedals that have sharp and potentially dangerous surfaces.
These surfaces are designed to add safety by increasing grip between the rider’s shoe and the
pedal. If your bicycle has this type of high-performance pedal, you must take extra care to avoid
serious injury from the pedals’ sharp surfaces. Based on your riding style or skill level, you may
prefer a less aggressive pedal design, or chose to ride with shin pads. Your dealer can show you
a number of options and make suitable recommendations.
3. Toeclips and straps are a means to keep feet correctly positioned and engaged with the pedals.
The toeclip positions the ball of the foot over the pedal spindle, which gives maximum pedaling
power. The toe strap, when tightened, keeps the foot engaged throughout the rotation cycle of
the pedal. While toeclips and straps give some benefit with any kind of shoe, they work most
effectively with cycling shoes designed for use with toeclips. Your dealer can explain how toeclips
and straps work. Shoes with deep treaded soles or welts which might allow the foot to be trapped
should not be used with toeclips and straps.
WARNING:
g
etting
into
and
out
of
pedals
with
toeClips
and
straps
requires
skill
whiCh
Can
only
be
aCquired
with
praCtiCe
. u
ntil
it
beComes
a
reflex
aCtion
,
the
teChnique
requires
ConCentration
whiCh
Can
distraCt
your
attention
and
Cause
you
to
lose
Control
and
fall
. p
raCtiCe
the
use
of
toeClips
and
straps
where
there
are
no
obstaCles
,
hazards
or
traffiC
. k
eep
the
straps
loose
,
and
don
’
t
tighten
them
until
your
teChnique
and
ConfidenCe
in
getting
in
and
out
of
the
pedals
warrants
it
. n
ever
ride
in
traffiC
with
your
toe
straps
tight
.
4. Clipless pedals (sometimes called “step-in pedals”) are another means to keep feet securely in
the correct position for maximum pedaling efficiency. They have a plate, called a “cleat,” on the
sole of the shoe, which clicks into a mating spring-loaded fixture on the pedal. They only engage
or disengage with a very specific motion which must be practiced until it becomes instinctive.
Clipless pedals require shoes and cleats which are compatible with the make and model pedal
being used.
Many clipless pedals are designed to allow the rider to adjust the amount of force needed to
engage or disengage the foot. Follow the pedal manufacturer’s instructions, or ask your dealer to
show you how to make this adjustment. Use the easiest setting until engaging and disengaging
becomes a reflex action, but always make sure that there is sufficient tension to prevent
unintended release of your foot from the pedal.
WARNING:
C
lipless
pedals
are
intended
for
use
with
shoes
speCifiCally
made
to
fit
them
and
are
designed
to
firmly
keep
the
foot
engaged
with
the
pedal
. d
o
not
use
shoes
whiCh
do
not
engage
the
pedals
CorreCtly
.
Summary of Contents for Bike
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