S -
36
| English
English |
S -
37
The Pedal Systems
Not all shoes are suited for cycling. Shoes used for cycling should have a stiff
sole and provide a firm support for your feet. If the soles are too soft, the pedals
can press through and cause foot pain. The force transmission is less efficient. The
sole should be not too broad near the heels, as the rear stays will otherwise get
in the way of your pedalling. This will prevent your feet from assuming a natural
position and may cause knee pain in the long run.
Different Systems at a Glance – How They Work
We recommend pedals that provide a lock and release mechanism for your
shoe, known as step-in pedals. The firm connection between shoe and pedal pre-
vents your feet from slipping off when pedalling fast or when riding over rough
ground. Besides this, it enables you not only to push but also to pull the pedals,
which makes your pedalling more fluent. A further advantage is that the ball of
your big toe comes to rest biomechanically just at the right place on the pedal axle
and that you do not block unintentionally the front wheel with the tips of your feet
during steering.
With step-in pedals a special cycling shoe forms a lock-in connection with the
pedal, similar to a ski binding.
To engage with the pedal is to turn it to the horizontal using the tip of the cleat
(the plate on the sole of the shoe) and then rest your foot on it. Some pedal sys-
tems have the lock-in mechanism on both sides of the pedals, there is no need to
turn the pedal, you just step in. The shoe engages with the pedal with a click which
you will hear and feel clearly. With all commercially available systems the shoe is
disengaged from the pedal by twisting the heel outward.
Lean against a wall or ask someone to hold you when you try to engage and
disengage the shoe from the pedal.
Functional differences between the pedal systems concern the shape of the
cleat, the release angle and the rigidity of the connection. Cyclists predisposed
to knee trouble should choose a pedal system that has some "float", so that the
heel can move sideways a little while the shoe is engaged with the pedal. Some
step-in pedals have cleats embedded into the sole which is a great advantage, as
it ensures stable walking.
Adjustment and Maintenance
The various pedal systems differ sometimes significantly in their technical
design. Nevertheless, there are some general rules for adjustment which apply
to all of them.
• The cleat has to be fastened to the shoe in such a position that the ball of the
foot comes to rest on the pedal axle.
• Your feet should assume a natural position when pedalling. For most people
this means that the heels will point inward a little. Make sure that the fastening
bolts are properly tightened, as you will find it almost impossible to disengage
your shoe from a loose plate!
• Adjust the required releasing force according to your needs. It is advisable to
adopt a low releasing force setting to begin with. Turn the small Allen bolt and
examine the change in releasing force when you engage and disengage the
shoe from the pedal.
• Exposed springs and other components that attract dirt have to be cleaned and
regreased regularly.
• Squeaking or creaking cleats can often be silenced by applying a little grease
to the point of contact between cleat and pedal. These noises may also be
signs of wear.
• Check the cleats regularly for wear, especially in case of plastic cleats.
• If your shoe wobbles on the pedal, the cleat or the sole of your shoes might
be worn.
Note:
Read the operating
instructions of the pedal
and shoe manufactur-
ers carefully. In case
of inquiries, ask your
STEVENS dealer for
advice.
Note:
Before mounting the
pedals, check the
marking on the pedal
axles first. “R” stands
for right pedal and “L”
for left pedal. Note that
the left pedal has a
left-handed thread that
has to be tightened
contrary to the direction
you are accustomed to,
i.e. anticlockwise.
Danger:
Taking up the pedals, engaging the shoes and disengaging them by turning
the heel outward should first be practised while stationary. Later you can
refine your technique in a place clear of traffic.
Danger:
Only use clipless pedals allowing you to engage and disengage smoothly.
A defective pedal or a badly worn cleat can make the shoe disengage from
the pedal. Risk of accident!
