JohnBrooking

In 3+ years of commuting, I've only ever used plain platform pedals. My commute is a little over 5 miles each way. Last night, as a backup and way to stall time to decide on my next good commuter bike (since my old is no longer viable), I bought a used Trek 830 mountain bike for $100. It has Performance pedals with straps. On my way in this morning, I was really not liking the straps. Maybe I've been pedalling wrong all this time, but the straps kept my feet from being as far forward on the pedals than I am used to, and I felt like I was pedalling with my toes the whole time. Now the front of my feet feel a bit sore from the effort. My manager (who used to bike a lot but no longer does) thinks that position should be normal, and said you should pedal with the ball of your foot. I maintain that I have been, and the straps are merely making me put the weight further forward on the ball than I'm used to. But it could be that with the platforms, I've really been pedalling with the flat part too, I never really paid that much attention.

I was hoping I could adjust the straps to allow more of my foot into them, but that is not the case, so it looks like I either get used to this or discard the straps. I'm leaning to the latter at this point. So tell me, is this a normal adjustment one needs to make and maybe I've been doing it "wrong" (at least less efficiently) the whole time, or mighty I validly conclude that maybe the straps are too small for my foot and I don't need to feel that I have to continue giving them a chance? Maybe I need to learn more about pedaling technique?

MichaelW

The straps are adjustable for length but the clips are not. They come in S/M/L and it sounds like your clips are too small.
I get a similar feeling if I use trail shoes with a thick toe-buffer; my shoe does not enter far enough into the clip and it feels like I am pivoting the pedal at the lip rather than pushing on the spindle with the ball of my foot.

rat_factory

i got these about 4 months ago and couldn't be happier commuting with them. i used to run mtb clips and straps.

penanaut

What kind of straaps are they? I have Power Grip straps and like them a lot. Mine are adjustable with an allen wrench. The Power Grips are mounted diagonally on the pedal so that you can set your foot in it then turn straight . This twisting motion sinches the strap securely to squeeze your shoe between the strap and the pedal. Took me a couple of rides to get used to from clips but I really have enjoyed riding with different types of shoes.

-=(8)=-

Im with you, John.
I have very sensative feet and BMX platforms are my prefered pedal of choice.
Specifically Primo Tenderizers. The are sooooo comfortable and the little pegs
help rotational stuff. Also, the added downstrokability makes up for the lack
of the strap pull-up effect.

bennyk

It should feel very normal, just with the added connection to the pedal. Sounds like there is something wrong with the way they are fitting.

When I used clips/straps, I was constantly trying to shove my foot farther into the pedal too, until I had them adjusted OK.