Merida CENTURION - Clothing; The Pedals and the Shoes

85
g
f
h
e
Clothing
Cycling trousers (e) are essential if you want to sit
comfortably. These close-fitting trousers have special
padding in the seat. They have no seams that can
press into you and they do not form folds. Cycling
trousers are therefore designed to be worn next to
the skin. Another form of cycling trousers are baggy
pants with inner pants including seat pad.
Since sporty cycling will soon bring you out in a sweat,
a jersey made of synthetic materials is ideal
(f) . The
fibers themselves do not take up any moisture but
instead wick the sweat away from the skin up to the
surface of the materials and thus prevent you getting
cold from the cool wind produced by your speed.
On longer tours you should in addition have suitable
protection against the rain. Your CENTURION dealer
would be glad to help you choose the right equip-
ment.
G
Never ride with wide-cut trousers or
skirts that might get caught in the
spokes, chain or chainwheels. To avoid
any such mishap, use suitable clips or straps, if
necessary.
G
For increased visibility to other road
users be sure to wear striking and
bright-colored clothing!
The pedals and the shoes
Cycling shoes (g) should be made of solid material
to provide firm support for your feet. In addition, they
should have a stiff sole so that the pedal cannot
press through. The sole should not be too wide in
the area of the heels, as the rear stays or the crank
will otherwise get in the way of your pedaling. This will
prevent your feet from assuming a natural position
when pedaling and may cause knee pain in the long
run.
Special cycling shoes are obligatory if your
CENTURION bike is equipped with clipless pedals.
With these shoes cleats are fixed to the sole. They
give you a firm connection between shoe and pedal
and allow depending on the model an acceptable
walking position.
The main advantage is that these step-in pedals
(h)
prevent your feet from slipping off when pedaling
fast. They enable you not only to push but also to pull
the pedals. This makes it easier to pedal fluidly and
considerably improves the transmission of the force
as opposed to pedals with an open pedal cage.
The usual way to engage with the pedal is to turn it
from the lowest position of the crank to the horizontal
using the tip of the cleat and push down on the back
of it. Normally, the shoe engages with the pedal with
a click which you will hear and feel clearly.