Clipless pedal advice
#1
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Clipless pedal advice
I've been riding for a number of years, but earlier this year I was hit by a drunk driver. As a result my left leg was crushed and my bike was totalled. Since then I've built a new bike, but am using toe baskets because I have limited mobility in my leg. Lateral movement (side to side) is somewhat of a joke.
My question: Is there a clipless pedal that can have very little resistance to exit? I have limited mobility in my leg/ ankle. I'm not worried about the price. Since I have been unable to ride for almost the entire year I've also picked up some extra lbs. Meaning I'm over 200lbs, knowing some pedals are weight restricted. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
My question: Is there a clipless pedal that can have very little resistance to exit? I have limited mobility in my leg/ ankle. I'm not worried about the price. Since I have been unable to ride for almost the entire year I've also picked up some extra lbs. Meaning I'm over 200lbs, knowing some pedals are weight restricted. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
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mtb style pedals are much easier to exit. try shimano SPD with the multi-release gold cleat.
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Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
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#3
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I have dura ace (new style) spd pedals...and while not cheap have excellent adjustable egress properties.
Quik slight snap to the side and your out.
While not a devoted shimano fan (although I have both dura ace/ultegra stuff) their pedals are the best I have used.
Quik slight snap to the side and your out.
While not a devoted shimano fan (although I have both dura ace/ultegra stuff) their pedals are the best I have used.
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yeah shimano spd's are great when learning I had my tension so low I colud pull out of it when pulling up at the bottom of the down stroke
heal up and hopefully you will be fine given more time
heal up and hopefully you will be fine given more time
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I have only tried SPD style and Crank Bros style. The Crank Bros are much easier for me on entry and exit than the SPD style.
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the "infinite flow" of speedplay zeros might accommodate your restricted lateral movement, but i'm not sure if the exit will be effortless for you
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I also recommend SPD-SLs for ease of exit. If you don't need float, the red no-float cleats require a bit less rotation to unclip than the standard yellow float cleats do. Adjust the release tension screw out until you no longer feel any clicks, then back in one click. Keeping your cleats clean and not too worn will make for easier release.
My left ankle was messed up for quite a while after a MTB riding incident and I often did not have the strength to unclip while on the bike. It was never a problem since I could unclip with my right foot. Then I could either put it down on the right of the bike and twist my torso to help unclip the left, or swing my right leg over the bike while coming to a stop and put it on the left side of the bike. Then I'd have a lot of leverage to unclip the left side.
I never found that not being able to easly unclip the left foot limited me- for MTB riding I'd have to think out some technical moves a bit more since I could only "bail out" on one side, but for road riding I never even thought about it except when I wanted to get off the bike. I did lots of stretching and exercises to strenghten the left ankle and it works ok now.
My left ankle was messed up for quite a while after a MTB riding incident and I often did not have the strength to unclip while on the bike. It was never a problem since I could unclip with my right foot. Then I could either put it down on the right of the bike and twist my torso to help unclip the left, or swing my right leg over the bike while coming to a stop and put it on the left side of the bike. Then I'd have a lot of leverage to unclip the left side.
I never found that not being able to easly unclip the left foot limited me- for MTB riding I'd have to think out some technical moves a bit more since I could only "bail out" on one side, but for road riding I never even thought about it except when I wanted to get off the bike. I did lots of stretching and exercises to strenghten the left ankle and it works ok now.
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+1 for crank bros, I have them on my single speed and they are very easy to exit.
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Thanks, I think I'll take a ride to my local shop next week and see what kinds of options they have.
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Had similar issues with a broken left tibial plateau. I used Look KeOs then Speedplays, then KeOs and now just tried the Dura Ace SPD SLs. Unlike you I need some float, but the 3 degrees in the standard DA seems fine. Havent' adjusted them yet (got in an accident on the maiden voyage, ending up with two broken wrists and two separated shoulders, not the fault of the cleats), but my impression of them is that they feel more secure when clicked in than my KeOs did and they are a touch harder to click out of.
Would also look at the Speedplay Light Action
Would also look at the Speedplay Light Action
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I think MTB style pedals would be best for you/your left leg. Take a look at Crank Brothers egg beaters.
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Another nod to Crank Brothers, and to make another point -- you can't adjust their release, but they can release pretty easily. And, they're nigh impossible to pull out accidentally as long as your feet are straight -- you won't be able to set such a low tension that your feet will pull out like Smallguy was talking about.
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I don't think speedplay zeros will work if you want low release tension.
light action and frogs allow a similar amount of float to zeros and are easier to exit, but you can't restrict it.
I'd say just go with spd or crank bros
light action and frogs allow a similar amount of float to zeros and are easier to exit, but you can't restrict it.
I'd say just go with spd or crank bros
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Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
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+1 on courage.
I bought the Eggbeaters as my first clipless and like them very much, then I found some used Quattros and CB warranted them. I'm committed to the brand.
I bought the Eggbeaters as my first clipless and like them very much, then I found some used Quattros and CB warranted them. I'm committed to the brand.
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I have Speedplay Light Action pedals and I don't think you will find a road pedal that is easier to get in and out of. I haven't used mountain bike pedals so I can't speak to them, but I can hold the shoe in my hand and clip it in and out holding the shoe in my hand.
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My thought might be say shimano 540 mtb pedals.....use a 51 cleat for the right foot and a multi release 56 cleat on your left shoe.....
The 540 (my choice) is a nice pedal very clean looking on a road bike tightens from the back of the crank with an allen wrench and releases the feet effortlessly.....even with the 51 cleats that I use...
The 540 (my choice) is a nice pedal very clean looking on a road bike tightens from the back of the crank with an allen wrench and releases the feet effortlessly.....even with the 51 cleats that I use...
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I've used the Speedplay Frogs (MTB pedal) and Speedplay Light Action.
The Frogs have zero resistance on exit, very easy in/out, you do have to turn your heel out. There is no spring, hence no tension. I would really recommend these. I road them on my roadie for a few years. You do need a MTB shoe, though, the cleat is un-walkable on a road shoe.
The Light Actions are pretty light, but you do need to exert some pressure to exit.
I hope they locked up the f'er who did this to you.
The Frogs have zero resistance on exit, very easy in/out, you do have to turn your heel out. There is no spring, hence no tension. I would really recommend these. I road them on my roadie for a few years. You do need a MTB shoe, though, the cleat is un-walkable on a road shoe.
The Light Actions are pretty light, but you do need to exert some pressure to exit.
I hope they locked up the f'er who did this to you.
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Way to get back on the horse after being bucked off.
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I'd try the Crank Brothers style. I've had clipless pedals since Look in the md 80's. I got Crank Brothers "Egg Beaters" for my mountain bike back in 2002 and with my new road bike, Trek Madone 4.7, I put some Crank Brothers "Quatros" on because my shoes had the Crank Brothers cleat. I like them a lot and they are pretty easy to come out. BUT, like most clipless pedals you do need to rotate your foot to come out and if you have no ability to do that with you're injured leg then I think you'll have to stick with platform style and do without the clip/clipless pedals.
Brian
Brian