Bicycle Mechanics - Slipping off Pedals

Hi,
I don't know if this is the proper place to post this or not? if not Please excuse me.
I got the cranks in awhile ago for my bikes and got them installed and they are working out great except for when I try to pedal faster/harder to build up speed my feet will slip off the pedals which as you know can end up badly...
Does anyone here have any poor mans tips on how to cure this?

Thank You

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=301&item=37-7600&slitrk=search&slisearch=true
http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/500/37-7600-NCL-TOP.jpg

And if you really want to be secure, add these:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=287&item=37-6068&slitrk=search&slisearch=true
http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/500/37-6068-BLK-BOTTOM.jpg

Maybe better pedals with better grip, or even go with clipless pedals..

Post #2 is the cheapest. All that should run you maybe $15 at most. The more expensive option is to go clipless. You'll need new pedals + shoes in that case.

Power Grips:
http://aebike.com/page.cfm?action=details&PageID=30&SKU=PD5010

Mini-clips are even simpler - don't require straps.
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000108&subcategory=60001077&brand=&sku=8044&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Pedal%20Accessories
Ultimately, clipless, toeclips/straps, or PowerGrips are more effective.

Does anyone here have any poor mans tips on how to cure this?
Bubble gums under shoes? :D

It's called toeclips and straps. Be sure to anticipate and release strap b4r u have to stop.

Bubble gums under shoes? :D

It's called toeclips and straps. Be sure to anticipate and release strap b4r u have to stop.

Not really, if your main purpose is to stop slippage, you don't have to tighten it to the point where you can't get out easily. Just have the strap close enough that it will hold your foot in place but still easy enough to slip out the back.

Not really, if your main purpose is to stop slippage, you don't have to tighten it to the point where you can't get out easily. Just have the strap close enough that it will hold your foot in place but still easy enough to slip out the back.
Ahhh, he'll figure it out. "Pedal fast/hard" will invariably lead to the realization about efficiency/play/energy lost. Carnac says cycling shoes in his next 12 mos purchase.

Thanks everyone,
I think I will look into the Nashbar Mini Toe Clips JanMM linked to.


Bubble gums under shoes? :D

It's called toeclips and straps. Be sure to anticipate and release strap b4r u have to stop.

LoL,or Duct Tape...

I Appreciate the help

You won't be allowed in the TDF with Mini Toe Clips.

The exact reason I went clipless. Straps are awkard getting into and out of . Without going clipless, I'd absolutely never stand on my pedals. That would be a huge loss. Standing , changing positions, is welcome relief to just pushing down on the pedals. Plus athe advantage of being able to use the pedals to pull up.

If you decide on Powergrips, let me know. I have two brand new sets.

No one else mentioned this, but you might just need to shift into a higher gear, especially if this is happening going down hill. If you are just starting out, it's difficult to judge how fast you are going.
You didn't say what pedals you have. Bell sells some very inexpensive bmx pedals.

Hi,
I don't think I will be doing TDF so that shouldn't be a problem. Although I am curious as to why they aren't allowed?

joejack951,
If I can scrape together enough change for the powergrips I will definitely let you know as I would love to have them instead but right now the toe-clips are in my budget.

gldrgidr,
It happens on flat ground and uphill/downhill
The pedals are stock so I admit they aren't the greatest.


I Appreciate all the help and suggestions everyone
Thank You

DO NOT LOCK YOUR FEET TO THE PEDALS!!! You will injure your ankles and knees and be strapped with lifelong pain and suffering. I'm serious! Your feet are slipping off the pedals when you're pushing hard because you do not have pedaling form down.

You really must practice the motions of pedaling and applying forces as close to 90-degrees from the crank as much as possible. That means at the bottom of the pedal-stroke, your feet should actually be going backwards. I suspect they're slipping off because you're still pushing at the bottom and the pedals aren't going to go down any more. All of your pedaling force is then going towards pushing your feel sideways and off the pedal.

So practice pedaling in circles. Practice using lower gears and spinning more. If you do not improve your form, all the pedal-straps will do is concentrate that lobsided force into twisting your ankles and knees instead of pushing your feet off the pedals. Personally I think all bikers should start out riding on bare pedal-spindles to develop good pedaling form.

Personally I think all bikers should start out riding on bare pedal-spindles to develop good pedaling form.

Next time you're down in my area, look me up. I wanna party with you. You're one crazy mofo! :giver:

I once got the cheapest pedals I could find for my bike. Nothing has fallen off yet. But the problem with them was they had some semi sharp edges on the pedals with one corner having a longer piece sticking out . It hurts just the one time your leg does come in some high speed impact with them. Something to keep in mind when choosing pedals.

Next time you're down in my area, look me up. I wanna party with you. You're one crazy mofo! :giver:

I've seen a video of someone on Youtube, possibly one of you, riding on rollers hands-free and one-legged. That seems like an effective way to learn to pedal in circles.

Pedal slower and shift smarter.

Lots of good options so far be it the toe clip variations or the learning to pedal in circles to suit the pedal motion as well as the hint to shift up so you're not spinning so fast.

The only one I can add is this pedal option. The pins sticking out really grab nicely on the sole of your shoes. They just do NOT slip unless you lift part or all of your weight from that foot. If you're not liking the idea of the toe clips for various reasons linked to limiting foot motion in an emergency then this may be an option for you....

THere's literall dozens of variations on these but this is what the pretty much look like.

I've been riding stock pedals and wearing some old Nike running shoes. Probably not ideal, but it works for now. I don't know the first thing about cycling shoes and pedals with clips and all that. I've never had any problems with feet slipping... but I do have big feet and they seems to be hanging off the sides of the pedals all the time anyway. Can this situation be improved on? Would it really make a difference? I'm a little short on cash most of the time... this is probably my lowest priority, unless there is a real difference to be made. Advice/suggestions?

Having your feet off the sides of the pedal is OK if you're pushing down with the balls of your feet. Most people new to riding place their heels or the arch of the foot on the pedals, this is very inefficient and can even be dangerous. The ball of your feet is the round part between the toes and the arch. Reach up to a high-shelf with your heels off the ground and you'll find yourself pushing up with the balls of your feet. Align the balls of your feet directly over the pedal-spindle and this will give you the most control around the largest portion of the pedaling-circle.

Clipless and straps add a small improvement to pedaling efficiency. Contrary to popular belief, you actually don't get a whole lot of extra power by pulling up on the upstroke. The primary benefit comes from unloading the upstroke leg so that its dead weight isn't being pushed up by the other leg on the downstroke. The dead leg on the upstroke can actually rob 50% or more of the power of the downstroke leg and just reducing that inefficiency results in a tremendous increase in speed.

Unloading the upward pedal completely can have your feet rise off the pedal and may be mis-placed across the top and you may not have the balls of your feet over the pedal-spindle on the next downstroke. So really the straps & clipless are to help re-position your feet just slightly once you've got a smooth circular pedaling-stroke down. They should not be used to constrain a foot that's sloppy on the pedals. That will only cause ankle and knee injuries. Focus on being smooth and the feet & pedal connection will take care of itself.

Well, it sounds like I've been doing it just right all my life. Besides, I'm riding a Tricross - you never know when I may have to jump off the bike and hurdle an obstacle. Those funky bike riding shoes might be a problem for that!

Weird thing though - when I ride long distances, it feels like the outter side of my feet are going numb. I guess that's just from the constant pressure. I usually deal with that the same way I do with any other part of me (hands, butt, arms, neck...) that is having discomfort while riding: I move around a little or do something different.

Dude - your avatar is funny. I hope that ain't you!

Sorry for the late response everyone. I Appreciate all the help and info.
I have been out riding alot and have been focusing alot on my feet the pedals and the gears and have been applying what I have learned here and now have to admit that it was me the whole time.
I still would like to invest in a better set of pedals down the road sometime but for now I am just going to continue to focus on my pedaling.

Thank You

I just received in the mail 2 sets of clips from 2 different cos. and I can't fit my feet into either one of them! What with these stupid plastic toe clips on the market these days? What happened to the old metal ones. Those you could bend and form to match your feet.

Anybody know what's going on - can I soak these in hot water and bend them to suit? What am I missing here?????

Next time you're down in my area, look me up. I wanna party with you. You're one crazy mofo! :giver:

They're all like that in Santa Barbara.

I am fine on roadbikes with toeclips all the time.

I do sometimes ride my friends MTB which has platforms, and I have to ride pretty quick on it, and the pedals are slippery, so his form may not be that bad.