Pedals with float?

[pooks]

In another thread, this term came up.

What is?

Thanks!

[KnottedYet]

With cleated pedals (aka "clipless") it's how much wiggle room you have when you are clipped in. Some pedal systems will let you lock your foot into one spot (no float) and some won't lock you in at all (lots of float, like in Speedplay Frogs). There are a bazillion variations of float and you can adjust the tension and float on a lot of the pedals to exactly what you want.

I have Speedplay Frogs, and the lack of any tension and having tons of float makes my grumpy knee and hip very content. (no moving parts in the Frog system, and I love that kind of elegant engineering)

[SadieKate]

Wiggle room as in side to side movement of the heel without clipping out - no wiggle room vertically. The greater the float the farther you must swing your heel to the side to unclip.

Tension refers to how tightly the cleat is held in the pedal.

[BikeMomma]

With cleated pedals (aka "clipless") it's how much wiggle room you have when you are clipped in. Some pedal systems will let you lock your foot into one spot (no float) and some won't lock you in at all (lots of float, like in Speedplay Frogs). There are a bazillion variations of float and you can adjust the tension and float on a lot of the pedals to exactly what you want.

I have Speedplay Frogs, and the lack of any tension and having tons of float makes my grumpy knee and hip very content. (no moving parts in the Frog system, and I love that kind of elegant engineering)

Like she (and she) said. I'd just add that Speedplay also has the Speedplay Zero (road), which offers either option....float, no float, or you set it for just your own degree somewhere in the middle. What's also handy is that there is no "right side" -- you can clip in from either side, unlike others you have to flip up to clip in. I ride with the Zero's (titanium) on full float on my Fuji and really like them. I have the stainless steel ones on my Cannondale, which I mainly use on the trainer. I used to use Aerolites, which are fixed. Like the Speedplays, Aerolites have awesome clearance when cornering low.

Hope all that helps! Probably a bit too much info, but you can really never get enough in this sport.
~BikeMomma

[Kathi]

More information, with Speedplays there is no tension to adjust . You just make sure the cleats for the road pedals aren't screwed on too tight or you can't clip in. Also, it is very easy to clip out with Speedplays, slight twist of your foot, so easy I clipped out with an injured knee.

[pooks]

Kathi, the idea of clips is freaking me out, so your Speedplays sound good since they sound easy to escape from!

Does that work with mtb shoes?

ETA: Do the cleats come with the pedals?

[Kathi]

Kathi, the idea of clips is freaking me out, so your Speedplays sound good since they sound easy to escape from!

Does that work with mtb shoes?

ETA: Do the cleats come with the pedals?

Yes, but they're called Frogs, a little different system. The frog cleats are recessed so you can walk, you slide your foot into them. With the Speedplay road cleats basically you step down and clip onto them. It does take some getting used to but after a while it becomes second nature. If I'm unsure of a situation I unclip my left foot.

I learned by putting my bike on a bike trainer, in the LBS, and practiced clipping in and out. Then I went out on a bike trail that I was very familiar with and unclipped before I got to a road crossing. There were lots of crossing so I got a lot of practice.

You'll learn which foot you prefer to unclip first. I unclip with my left foot, put it on the ground and then unclip my right. To start pedaling, I clip in my right, start pedaling and then clip my left foot in.

I've only fallen 2x. Both were my own fault and very embarassing. One time I was on a bike ride and stopped at the sag stop. I just forgot to unclip and fell over in front of a group of people. The other time I fell I was trying to learn how to reverse my procedure. I clipped in with the left but when I tried to clip in my right foot it slipped and I fell. It was at a road crossing, the only traffic was a motorcyclist, he stopped to make sure I was ok.

At this point just get comfortable with riding and don't worry about clipless pedals. You'll know when your ready to try them.

[pooks]

Knowing I can try them out at the LBS helps. That's a relief!

And thanks for giving me permission to not try them right now! I was wondering if this was the equivalent of being resistant to bike shorts.

I'll stick to my sneakers and regular pedals for now.

[eclectic]

pooks

I love reading your posts and questions keep 'em comin'

I put frogs on my bike this summer, I have been riding for 4 seasons, 1 seriously

the only reason I switched from standard pedals was because as my distance increased on a new bike my left leg was cramping and falling asleep after 12 miles (yes always about 12 miles after much observation I discovered it was how my foot turned in while I pedalled, I had to consciously straighten it which is tough to think about mile after mile

The stiff soles of the cycling shoe and locking into the pedals keeps my foot flat and straight but the float of the frogs prevents knee pressure from a continued unnatural position

Yes I admit I was terrified to switch. I had about 700 miles on my new bike before I even thought about it. I wanted to be used to the bike and its reaction time first. I have had 1 fall to date and that was going 1 mph I was just getting ready to leave the club ride and didn't think my right foot was clipped in. It was and timber over I went, end result was a little road rash and a little embarrassment.

In ANY questionable situation I unclip one foot, I can easily pedal with the other foot to keep going and balanced.

Keep riding your bike the way you are and you will know when you are ready for changes

Christine

oh btw I wear road shoes for distance rides because I found a pair that I really like and are comfortable and mtn bike shoes for in town when I need to do some walking such as at the grocery store - the frogs work on both

[pooks]

I am ready for clips or cages because I'm ready to get more power.

But I'm not ready to deal with getting them hooked up and unhooked without falling off my bike!

[SnappyPix]

I am ready for clips or cages because I'm ready to get more power.

But I'm not ready to deal with getting them hooked up and unhooked without falling off my bike!

Pooks, unfortunately the two will always go hand-in-hand (unless you're very lucky, and even then, the evil bike fairy will push you over when you least expect it!).
Falling over with clipless/toestraps is a right of passage - a badge of honour. Every single person has done it (or will, in the future) - you gain more brownie points if it's in front of an appreciative audience (it usually is!), such as a bus queue - and the more people in the audience, the more brownie points you get.
I think my maximum target audience was about 20 people in one go. I almost got a round of applause.
The key is to practice clipping in and out on a soft surface if you're worried - such as a nice piece of springy grass.

Just remember:
* You WILL fall off
* It doesn't hurt as much as you think it does (if at all).
* Yeah, it's embarrassing, but so what, we've all done it (lots!)
* Practice falling kerbside, it becomes instinctive anyway.
* Anticipation is the key - anticipate when you might need to unclip - especially at junctions and lights, the worst that can happen is you have to clip in again and lose a bit of momentum - much better than not unclipping at all.