Which is the right way to use these pedals?

[fidlfreek]

Um. I think the right way to use the pedals is whichever way your foot happens to go down on this after the stop light

Aren't the teeth just for traction on the sole of your shoe?

[Heifzilla]

I'm curious because the pedal is shaped differently on either side so it makes me wonder if you're supposed to place your feet on it a certain way so it can support the foot properly. Also, if the teeth are for better traction on your shoe, why aren't they on both sides of the pedal?

[VeloVT]

http://bicycling.about.com/od/allabo...e_pedals_3.htm

Looks like toe clips screw into the holes on the side of the pedal on the "short side". The tab goes to the back, at the bottom side of the pedal.

Maybe it helps with kicking the pedal over to slide your foot into the cage?

Paging DebW!

Also maybe Oakleaf or Smilingcat?

[Heifzilla]

Thanks for that link! it does appear that the smaller side of the pedal is supposed to be forward, with the teeth downward.

These are my pedals. And I have been riding with the teeth upwards since I got the bike. I too figured they were to help keep your shoe on the pedal. I've also been working out some numbness issues in my feet. Since I raised my saddle, it hasn't been as bad, but still there on occasion. Today I was riding and for some reason, I had the thought that maybe having the teeth pushing up into my feet as I pedaled was part of the issue. So I flipped the pedals over and at first it felt really weird because there wasn't that pressure there but after a while I got used to it...and, lo and behold, I wasn't having any of that tingling sensation I'd been getting in my feet. So, it got me to thinking that perhaps I'd been using my pedals the wrong way. When the teeth are up and forward, it seems like a lot of my weight is on the smaller section of the pedal, and I wonder if my foot was flexing over the edges of the pedal, combined with the upwards pressure from the teeth on my foot...maybe that is part of the issue.

So, that's why I asked this. I know it seems like using a platform pedal should be obvious, but I wonder now if it really is, especially for pedals that are not exactly the same on all sides.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Those loops sticking up look like attachment gizmos to me, not like traction teeth. I wouldn't think you're supposed to put your foot on those things that stick so far up. I agree, must be cage attachments or something. Put your foot on the 'flat' side that only has the 'regular' smaller teeth.

[DebW]

The tabs are to flip the pedal over with your toe as you slide into the toe clips. Toe clips always weight the pedal so it ends up upside down. The side you have up in the right hand picture is the bottom of the pedal. Actually unusual to have two off-center tabs like that right set. The tab on the inside of the pedal is to direct the toe strap upward around your foot. Otherwise the strap (at least when your foot is not in it) will catch the crank arm and prevent the pedal from swinging freely.

[Heifzilla]

I feel really stupid, but hey, at least I asked

Live and learn, eh? I wonder, though, how many people have been using their platform pedals incorrectly and how much of their foot numbness is caused by it.

Thanks for your replies