callback

Due to many problems with my clipless pedals (Look), I switched recently to platform pedals on my road bike.

My right foot is very stable, it feels like it is anchored to the padal.

Problem is on the left side, foot is sliding ont the pedal and is wobbly. The problem is not on each and every pedal stroke, but I have to replace my foot on the pedal every minute or so.

Any ideas about this problem ?

Bah Humbug

Clipless pedals. Get them.

Photodoug

Five Ten Freerider shoes give me a great grip on platform pedals.

KLiNCK

There is nothing better than feeling "connected" to your pedals.
What was the issue with the Look system?
How 'bout trying an SPD set up? Something like Shimano PD-M520's work well on a road bike.
If you don't want to be "clipped in" what about adding toe cages/straps to your platforms?

Doug28450

Please explain what problems you were/are having with the Look pedals.

brianmcg123

The thing about these forums is the vast majority are into the clicky pedals.

You may get some better feedback on pedaling free from the ibob or rivendell owners bunch here:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!fo...w-owners-bunch

But with only your left foot sliding around I'm betting your are lifting that foot at some point in the pedal stroke.

callback

I'm using them normally.

I'm using SPD on my MTB...same problem.

Since the last few months, I've developed a really bad pedal stroke on my left side. For a reason I don't know the toes of my left foot is always pointing down from bottom of the stroke up to the very top of the stroke. Because my toes are down at 12o'clock, heel is up, so knee is way higher and is kicking my left hip up too. So there is a lot of movement on the saddle (Best way I can describe it, sorry for my english) I can't see why it happens when clip in, but when I'm not clipped in, my foot is sliding, but not pointing down. I'm trying to figure out the problem when not clipped in since I didn't find the source of the issue when clipped, even after many months of trials and errors...

10speedBill

Not sure what your problems with clip less pedals. Your shoes WILL slip on platform pedals. Try Shimano SPD style pedals.

rpenmanparker 

OP, perhaps your saddle is not in the right position.

If you clip in and find your foot trying to move around, that is not the fault of the pedals. And you can't fix the problem by switching to platforms. You have to figure out what is wrong with your fit or your body...or both.

LesterOfPuppets

Which platforms do you have?

Spiky ones?



Slick ones?



Something in between?

HTupolev

How grippy are your platform pedals? If they aren't the type with stabby set screws, they could be gripper.

Have you done any lubrication recently that might have gotten slipperyness on the pedal surface?

When is your foot moving? Are you intermittently pulling up in the pedal stroke? Does it happen when you shift gears?

What is your bike fit like? Are your legs fully extended at the bottom of the pedal stroke, or is there a slight bend in your knees even there? Are you comfortable with how it feels when you have your weight plopped on the saddle in a typical cruising position?

It sounds like you maybe need to find your ankling form. Your leg might just be trying really hard to avoid having your ankle down low and level with the ball of your foot? Is one leg longer than the other?

memebag

Maybe you should see a doctor. I ride a road bike with flat pedals. I can keep my feet on them or lift them off on the up stroke so they don't drag. I have no problem with my feet sliding sideways. It sounds like you might have a nerve or muscle issue going on.

stanleyl

You probably should see a physical therapist specialized in cycling/sport medicine. It is possible that you have alignment issues or muscle atrophy due to prior injuries / bad habit / bike fit.

I had similar issue last year and it took professional help to get me back to the right track.

Machka 

This is probably going to sound really strange, but it is the way I've been riding for almost a decade now and it works for me ...

I ride with my left foot clipped in using clipless pedals and cleats ... and my right foot on a platform pedal.

Maybe that might work for you.



BTW - I tried riding with platform pedals for both feet a few weeks ago, and had the same problem with my left foot ... it kept slipping. Very annoying.

zastolj

+1, go to a good bike fit. They will see what your problem is.

callback

Could you give some datails about your issue and how you solved it ?

stanleyl

I had a patella fracture on my left leg a few years ago and picked up cycling as part of recovery. I was on a mountain bike with flat pedals at first. My left leg had a tendency to slide out since day one -- I just put it back when it slides too much and that wasn't much of a problem, and I can rode centuries like that just fine. I switched to road bike with SPD pedals but my left leg couldn't tolerate the standard distance between the pedal and the frame. So I added extenders and had my toes point outward and that felt much better. However, I started to lose strength after a few thousand miles, and my left leg started to develop flapping. The situation got so bad that I was basically doing one leg drill half the time.

I saw a PT with a sports background and after examination she determined that there was a flexibility and muscle strength issue with my left leg. So I was prescribed with a bunch of exercises to improve my flexibility and strength. She and the onsite bike fitter decided the extenders were not right for me and force me to ride without the extenders and slowly worked my toe back in. It was like learning riding all over again for a few months -- fighting inflexibility and concentrated on engaging the right muscle groups with every stroke. While I am not totally out of the wood yet, I can now ride normally without extenders and my toes pointing straight now which I couldn't dream of a year ago. My feet also do not slide on flat pedals anymore.