Flat pedals make it much harder to get started on steep hills, especially if you're in too low a gear. Having one foot firmly clipped in with SPDs before setting off allows you to keep pedalling with one leg for longer and more time to get moving. Although you'll be fine in Cambridgeshire 😄
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I don't find starting on the hills any more difficult with flat pedals than with double-sided SPDs. Single-sided SPD I find more difficult as you have to flip the pedal over to the correct side. As you correctly stated, I should qualify that I don't have many very steep ⛰️ in Cambridgeshire on which to test the theory out on. 🍰🧁
I'm sorry to hear your Stroke has affected you in that way. Luckily, my Stroke hasn't affected my limbs but it has given me problems in terms of balance. Mind you, even though my legs still work perfectly, it didn't stop me damaging my ankle 😮. I think there are many reasons for using flat pedals, yours is just one of them. Thanks for taking the time to comment, ride safely. 🍰🧁
Some types of Mikashima/MK pedals allow toe clips but have a little tab on the back that allow you to flip the pedal around by pushing down on the back, thus bringing it inline with your foot to insert into the toe clip.
Yes, I remember the MKS and Campagnolo pedals from many years ago, they had a little tab on them. So far, I haven't had a problem 'flipping' the plastic pedals. I'll have to see if my new metal pedals flip just as easily. Thanks for taking the time to comment, it's good to know what others think and draw on their experiences. 🧁🍰
Is there a reason why you didn't go for traditional 'full' toe-clips i.e. the ones that have a strap that loops through the pedal and the top of the toe clip? That would locate the foot even more securely on the pedal - and allows you to pull the pedals up, to a degree. You can leave the strap relatively loose, so it's as easy to take your foot off the pedal as with the half toe clips.
Having used for full toe-clips in the past, your logic is impeccable. My plan was to move towards full toe-clips, the first stage being the half-toe clips. However, having used the half toe-clips I'm quite happy with them for some styles of riding. I'll keep the full toe-clips as an 'upgrade' option. For greater foot security I'd revert to SPDs. Thanks for taking the time to comment, it's great to know what other riders' views are. 🧁🍰
I don't feel secure with flat pedals when pedaling fast 90 rpm+ and when descending over rough terrain. I always have my pedals set on a low release setting. 🍰
Thanks for the 🍰, it was delicious!, and for taking the time to share your thoughts. I know where you're coming from, I find the plastic pedals a bit slippery, particularly when wet. That's the reason I fitted the half toe clips just to give my feet something more secure. As I said in the summary, although I've got used to the flat pedals, I do occasionally miss the security of the SPDs. I do find the flat pedals generally better for more sedate riding. 🧁🍰
Great video 🍰🎂 xx
Thank you! 🤗
Flat pedals make it much harder to get started on steep hills, especially if you're in too low a gear. Having one foot firmly clipped in with SPDs before setting off allows you to keep pedalling with one leg for longer and more time to get moving. Although you'll be fine in Cambridgeshire 😄
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
I don't find starting on the hills any more difficult with flat pedals than with double-sided SPDs. Single-sided SPD I find more difficult as you have to flip the pedal over to the correct side.
As you correctly stated, I should qualify that I don't have many very steep ⛰️ in Cambridgeshire on which to test the theory out on. 🍰🧁
After my stroke I could not get my feet free, so flat is my only choice, admittedly only my left leg. But still I fell off each time I stopped
I'm sorry to hear your Stroke has affected you in that way. Luckily, my Stroke hasn't affected my limbs but it has given me problems in terms of balance. Mind you, even though my legs still work perfectly, it didn't stop me damaging my ankle 😮.
I think there are many reasons for using flat pedals, yours is just one of them.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, ride safely. 🍰🧁
Some types of Mikashima/MK pedals allow toe clips but have a little tab on the back that allow you to flip the pedal around by pushing down on the back, thus bringing it inline with your foot to insert into the toe clip.
Yes, I remember the MKS and Campagnolo pedals from many years ago, they had a little tab on them.
So far, I haven't had a problem 'flipping' the plastic pedals. I'll have to see if my new metal pedals flip just as easily.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, it's good to know what others think and draw on their experiences. 🧁🍰
Is there a reason why you didn't go for traditional 'full' toe-clips i.e. the ones that have a strap that loops through the pedal and the top of the toe clip? That would locate the foot even more securely on the pedal - and allows you to pull the pedals up, to a degree. You can leave the strap relatively loose, so it's as easy to take your foot off the pedal as with the half toe clips.
Having used for full toe-clips in the past, your logic is impeccable. My plan was to move towards full toe-clips, the first stage being the half-toe clips. However, having used the half toe-clips I'm quite happy with them for some styles of riding. I'll keep the full toe-clips as an 'upgrade' option. For greater foot security I'd revert to SPDs.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, it's great to know what other riders' views are. 🧁🍰
I don't feel secure with flat pedals when pedaling fast 90 rpm+ and when descending over rough terrain. I always have my pedals set on a low release setting. 🍰
Thanks for the 🍰, it was delicious!, and for taking the time to share your thoughts.
I know where you're coming from, I find the plastic pedals a bit slippery, particularly when wet. That's the reason I fitted the half toe clips just to give my feet something more secure. As I said in the summary, although I've got used to the flat pedals, I do occasionally miss the security of the SPDs. I do find the flat pedals generally better for more sedate riding. 🧁🍰