Bicycle Mechanics - Pedal release angles

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benajah
11-01-12, 09:43 PM
Hi all,
Other than Shimano SPD (it's MTB but what I use now), does anyone know of a road pedal cleat system that allows release by rotating the heel inward towards the bike?
I know there are lots of reasons this isn't good, but I have a particular orthopedic problem that doesn't allow me to rotate my heel outward, limiting me to use SPD which does allow inward rotation unless I can find something else and I'd like to go with a road pedal system if I can find one.
I know of one Look pedal, but it's their bottom of the line. Any others?
Flying Merkel
11-01-12, 09:54 PM
I believe Crank Bros. MTB pedals will let you rotate either way. Use them on my road bikes.
benajah
11-01-12, 10:32 PM
Thanks. I would try them but I'm actually trying specifically to find road pedals, as road shoes with two hole mounts are harder and harder to find. The issue is I have a prosthetic leg, but I ride and race mostly road. I've been using MTB pedals and cleats for a long time but its getting harder to find road shoes that work with MTB pedals, and road shoes have a real advantage on a road bike where you need that extra bit of stiffness.
shadoman
11-01-12, 11:06 PM
I use LOOK pedals (or LOOK clones) on all of my bikes, and they all use the same Delta cleat.
You can unclip by swinging your heel INWARD in the positions from about 11 to 1 o'clock.
I've been using MTB pedals and cleats for a long time but its getting harder to find road shoes that work with MTB pedals, and road shoes have a real advantage on a road bike where you need that extra bit of stiffness.
Have you tried the upper end MTB shoes?
I have Shimano R315s and M315s. Both are EXTREMELY stiff.
mconlonx
11-02-12, 05:03 AM
Thanks. I would try them but I'm actually trying specifically to find road pedals, as road shoes with two hole mounts are harder and harder to find. The issue is I have a prosthetic leg, but I ride and race mostly road. I've been using MTB pedals and cleats for a long time but its getting harder to find road shoes that work with MTB pedals, and road shoes have a real advantage on a road bike where you need that extra bit of stiffness.
Both Shimano and Crank Bros. offer adaptors which will bolt 2-hole mtn cleats to 3-hole road shoes. You will probably need to special order them--I don't know that many shops would stock them.
Matt Gaunt
11-02-12, 05:08 AM
I use Shimano SPD-SLs. You can rotate these inwards to release.
jolly_ross
11-02-12, 05:13 AM
If you decide on upper end MTB shoes - or manage to find 2 hole road shoes (low level specialized, like these, have the two slots for two bolt cleats http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/product-images-large/specialized-bg-sport-road-shoe-white-60406.jpg) you might look at Time ATAC pedals
These would be good in that they have two release angles depending on which side you put which cleat on (the cleats are asymettric) . You could mount them for the large angle conventional outward release - giving you the small angle inward release.
ATACs are very easy to get into - which might suit a prosthetic leg. They are tough to get out of when cleats are new - but respond well to a dab of copperslip grease.
There is a single sided road ATAC pedal, but you do have to continually flip it about to get the right side up - again maybe dual sided MTB ATACs would ease use with a prosthetic.
I happen to use the Spec shoe above (have had same pair for 12 years now, admittedly they are knackered) and the single sided ATACs. I have dismounted inward once or twice - solely out of curiousity - so know it is possible.
Good luck.
HillRider
11-02-12, 07:36 AM
I'm not sure but I believe Speeplay's X-series and Light Action pedals release in either direction. I'm not sure if the Zero's.
Looks and similar are symmetric between releasing inward and outward. IMO, SPDs can be a better option in all respects.
fietsbob
11-02-12, 11:27 AM
Weak Knees ? look at speedplay frogs, maybe you can re assemble them backwards,
as the Bayonet is the release,
and if you special order them thru a bike shop, Speedplay offers longer Pedal axles
to make the release work better in the situation you describe.
[bayonet release is soft , there is more the position of the angle that secures your foot]
Online, they will ship what is on their shelf, not what you need ..
benajah
11-02-12, 11:34 AM
These are all really good suggestions. Thanks everyone.
If you need some good stiff MTB shoes, Sidi Dominators are pretty much the same shoe as the road Genius 5s...
I have somewhat the same type of problem (need to rotate inwards on my right side) due to a hip replacement. I use Eggbeaters on my road bike but have tried Atacs (which I may switch to), and have ridden road Look pedals (delta black cleats) and did not have any problem with them either.
I'm not sure but I believe Speeplay's X-series and Light Action pedals release in either direction. I'm not sure if the Zero's.
+1
Speedplay X-series will release from any angle (with a little practice). I'm not sure about Zero's but would expect them to also release inward as well as outward. My wife and I have ridden X-1's for many years. My old arthritic knees like the extra float of the X-series. The X-1's are the lightest, with the shortest spindles, and lowest Q-factor.
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