help in making a decision

[CorsairMac]

Here's what they look like... I think they also come in plastic. You can use them with or without straps.

Strapping in allows that "pull up" action (when pedaling) to be a bit more effective. But it's not necessary if you're just getting started. A rigid shoe will help with the foot owies.

spazz

yo spazz - where did you get the pix??...a cycling museum??

[SadieKate]

yo spazz - where did you get the pix??...a cycling museum??

Spazz, did you sneak into our garage last night?

[trayc]

Thanks for the pictures!!! The pedals I have now have the staps and a big metal piece sticking up that makes my feet go numb. I will see if my bike store has some of thse pedals. I was riding Wed. and came across a "live" snake. It scared me to death and made so nervous because I was strapped in. I hope I can get use to being strapped in.

[spazzdog]

Hey... they still sell these things! I've seen 'em with my own 4 eyes

And uh, trayc darlin'... loosen the derned straps! You ain't racing (yet)

spazz

[CorsairMac]

Thanks for the pictures!!! The pedals I have now have the staps and a big metal piece sticking up that makes my feet go numb. I will see if my bike store has some of thse pedals. I was riding Wed. and came across a "live" snake. It scared me to death and made so nervous because I was strapped in. I hope I can get use to being strapped in.

have you tried riding without the straps?? Not sure what you mean by 'big metal thing sticking up" but you don't really need straps or clips or clipless to ride. Just another thought.

[trayc]

Not sure what you mean by 'big metal thing sticking up" but you don't really need straps or clips or clipless to ride. Just another thought.

ON the pedal it has a v-shaped piece of metal is raised up and then the rest of the pedal is flat.

[SadieKate]

ON the pedal it has a v-shaped piece of metal is raised up and then the rest of the pedal is flat.

Is it on the leading lower edge of the pedal? Platform pedals will commonly have a little tab that you use to flip the pedal upright to get the cage on top. The cage would be on the top of the pedal and the tab is on the leading lower edge, not the side you would put your foot on. Does this match up to what you have?

[SadieKate]

Pedals at Harris Cyclery

Scroll down and look at the pedals on this page. Are those pointed tabs what you're describing?

[trayc]

No, not really. Hmmm let me see if I can do a better job of describing them;
and sorry I don't know bike terms yet. On the front part of the pedal where your toes sit, it has a raised part. It looks like if you had a shoe with an inverted part on it, that that part would slide in under the raised part of the pedal. Does that even make sense??

[spazzdog]

Me thinks our trayc is strapping into the wrong side of the pedal???

Or could it be she has some form of clipins?

If not clipins then sticky up piece goes on the oppsite side of the sole of your foot... the underneath side of the pedal.

Nothin' oughta be pokin' ya grrlfriend!

spazz

[SadieKate]

tracyc, can you see a brand name or model name or anything on the pedal? Do you think it is original equipment on the bike? If so, what bike do you have? Maybe we can find a picture of this thing.

[spazzdog]

can you take a picture and upload it?

spazz

[SadieKate]

Another thought, old shoes meant to be used with platform pedals would also have a "cleat" that sat over a ridge on the pedal, but I would never have described this ridge as a "V". Between the ridge and the cage, you were locked in through any event. Thank the bike gods they invented clipless pedals!

[spazzdog]

yeah... i owned a pair of those in the 70's. the bar (cleat) had a straight depression in it that sat over the front edge of a normal pedal, then you tightened up the straps and pedaled away.

i remember thinking they were soooo cool!

spazz

[trayc]

I am at work right now so I can't take a picture of it. Of course, I am not supposed to be on the computer talking to you guys either, shhhhh don't tell anyone. I just called my LBS and he said that they have a pedal that is flat where my foot goes and then the straps. I think he is talking about the pedals like Spazz showed. Got to gripe for just a minute about the dude at the LBS. You know it is hard enough to be over forty, starting a new sport without some young dude sounding like it is a pain to deal with someone of my age and gender!!