There has been a few posts about the type of pedal to use on a recumbent -- esp. regarding the advantages of clipless pedals (I call them "click-in" pedals) vs platform vs clip & strap.

The advantage of "click-in" pedals and clip & strap pedals is that your feet are positioned so that the ball of the foot is positioned over the pedal's axle. The tendency of riding with standard pedals or platform pedals is that the foot slides further forward so that the instep is positioned over the pedal axle. I've even seen people who rode with dress shoes (and a couple times with cowboy boots) who hooked the heel against the rear edge of the pedal.

Having said all that, I was at my LBS which specializes in 'bents and was told by one of the clerks (actually he was the son of the owner) that he preferred to ride with his instep over the pedal axle and felt that he was able to give more power to his pedal stroke and that when he tried to ride with the ball of his foot over the axle, there was a reduction in power.

Any comments on this?

Personally, I ride with "click-in" SPD pedals.

everyone is built a little different, and will have a different position.

I have the ball of my foot slightly behind the pedal axle, as it was suggested to aleviate my patellar tendonitis. It worked.

Like Jackass said, everyone is different. High rpm spinning I like to have the ball of my foot on the pedals. when pushing hard on hills for power I position my feet with the heels on the pedals to alleviate damage to the foot. If you are clipped in then your foot position is fixed with the ball of the foot on the pedals, which is better for spinning.

The advantage of cycling shoes and clips (supposedly) are the facts that the sole of the show is stiff and transfers power more efficiently to the pedal, and the cleats maintain the foot in in the "technically correct" position on the pedal. The locked in shoe facilitates spinning and developing power over a full 360 degree crank revolution.

Now, I've never ridden in SPD's or any other system that locks the the show to the pedal. I've always ridden with toe clips on my road bikes and more recently Power Grip straps on my 'bent. However I've found that best power transfer is with a different foot position on each bike. On the road bike the pedal is under the ball, and slightly forward, the toe is not driven home fully into the clip. On the 'bent the pedal is under the ball, and slightly rearward. Based on posts from other with 'bents who are running SPD's and cleat systems, the cleat on the shoe is positioned reawards from where it would be on a road bike application. In the long haul it all comes down to what works for you.

'bent Brian

I'm no expert here, but in my rummaging through the 'net before getting my wife a recumbant, instep rather than ball over the pedal seemed to be suggested most often. I imagine that would require a specialized "clipless" shoe so maybe it only applies to platform pedals? I noticed just last night that the pedals on her bike have a "smoother" side and a "toothed" side. I will have to see if the toothed side takes care of my "slipping off" problem.

I ride with the cleat moved as close to the middle of the shoe as possible. I tried centering the ball of my foot over the pedal but it did noit work well for me.

I've got power grips, but never put them on. I ride with out anything other than my foot to hold the shoe on the pedal and I've had no problems with my feet coming off the pedal. I usually ride with the balls of my feet over the center of the pedal. I've had no problems with my feet and I've been riding that way for over 2 years now.
So it's probably whatever works for you.

I really like the Power Grips. They work as good or better than toe clips and straps, are easy to get into and out of, and you can remove you feet in a hurry if you need to. They give a secure feeling as well. I wished I would have found out about them when I was riding a road bike. I had clips/straps on it.

'bent Brian

Before we started riding bikes as adults we owned and rode horses. My wife was raised on a riding stable and I enjoy riding with a western saddle [but what I am going to say also applies to an English saddle] you always ride with the ball of your foot on the sturrip. You do this because the ball of the foot is where you can submitt the maxium force on the sturrip and allows the full use of the leg to support you when the horse leaps or startles.

When we went to bikes it was second nature to put the balls of our feet over the shaft of the bike's pedals. Them moving from DFs tor recumbents it was second nature to put the ball of the the pedals in the same way we did on the DFs. Using the ball of your foot gives you the maximum power for each stroke. ;)

Isn't it interesting how something in one area of activity can be applied to something else. I too ride and show horses. Have a nice little QH mare that I ride Western and English (sometimes). Also have a bunch of miniatures, some of which I drive on a cart. I have found in riding horses the ball of the foot more closely comes to the foot position I use on my road bike (ball slightly behind pedal center) as oppposed to the foot position I use on my 'bent (ball slightly forward of pedal center).

'bent Brian

Using the ball of your foot gives you the maximum power for each stroke. ;) I'm not sure it applies in 'bents though. In both your other examples, you stand on your feet, at least some of the time. Not so on a 'bent. Maybe that is part of the "different muscles" comment always made about learning to ride 'bents.

I bent with SPD sandels and started with the ball of the foot positioned over the axle. cleats towards the toes. I found this led to too much pressure on the balls and some discomfort and foot going to sleep.
Gradually I moved the cleat back, (foot forward) until I ended up with the cleat all the way back in the shoe slots, (instep over axle). This is faster and avoids foot pain. I use an othodic footbed in a Shimano SPD Sandel and it is very comfortable and gives very good power. The straps of the sandle may be pulled tight without crushing the toes. On a hot day the air flow over my toes is delicious. In cold weather, layer wool socks will keep the feet warm without the dampness of shoes.