Whether you have overlap or not, you must keep the inside pedal up and the outside pedal down when making sharp
turns.
2. Some bic ycles come e quipped with p edals that have sharp a nd p otentia
lly da ngerous surfaces. These surfaces are
designed to add safet y b y increasing gri p bet ween th e rider ’s sh oe and the pe dal. If y our bic ycle has this type of
high-performance pedal, you must take extra care to avoid serious injury from the pedals’ sharp surfaces. Based on your riding
style or skill level, you may prefer a less ag gressive pedal design, or cho se to ride with shin pads. Your dealer can show you a
number of options and make suitable recommendations.
3. Toeclips and straps are a means to keep feet correctly positioned and
engaged with the pedals. The toeclip positions the
ball of the foot over t he pe dal spin dle, which gives ma ximum ped aling p ower. T he toe strap, when tig htened, keeps the foot
engaged throughout the rotation cycle of the pedal. While toeclips and straps give some benefit with any kind of shoe, they work
most effectively with cycling shoes designed for use with toeclips. Your dealer can explain how toeclips and straps work. Shoes
with deep treaded soles or welts which might make it more difficult for you to insert or remove your foot should not be used with
toeclips and straps.
WARNING: Getting into and out of pedals with toeclips and straps requires skill
which can only be acquired with
practice. Until it becomes a reflex action, the technique requires concentration which can distract your attention
and cause you to lose control and fall. Practice the use of toeclips and straps where there are no obstacles, hazards or
traffic. Keep the straps loose, and don’t tighten them until your technique and confidence in ge tting in and out of the
pedals warrants it. Never ride in traffic with your toe straps tight.
4. Clipless pedals (som etimes call ed “step-in ped als”) are another means to keep feet s ecurely in the correct position for
maximum pedaling efficiency. They have a plate, called a “cleat,” on the sole of the shoe, which clicks into a mating spring-loaded
fixture o n the ped al. T hey o nly engage or diseng age with a ve ry sp ecific motion which must be practiced u ntil it becomes
instinctive. Cliplesspedals require shoes and cleats which are compatible with the make and model pedal being used.
Many clipless pedals are designed to allow the rider to adjust the amount of force need ed
to engage or disengage the foot.
Follow t he pedal ma nufacturer’s instructio ns, or ask your dealer to s how you how t o m ake this ad justment. Use th e easi est
setting until engaging and disengaging becomes a reflex action, but al ways make sure that there is sufficient tension to prevent
unintended release of your foot from the pedal.
WARNING: Clipless pedals ar e intended for use with sh oes specifically
made to fit th em and are designed to
firmly keep the foot engaged with the pedal. Do not use shoes which do not engage the pedals correctly.
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