Feet and pedals

[FreshNewbie]

Cyclesome, there is much more to a bike fit than not seeing front axle. However, when I first started riding my road bike i had flat pedals on without straps or cages and I never had a problem with not being able to keep my foot on them. Going clipless might be a good choice, and there are plenty of choices when it comes to pedals and shoes. You might need time to adjust to them or maybe you will be naturally good. First and foremost you should do what you feel comfortable with. I went clipless after a couple of rides on my bike and had to practice stops and starts, clipping in and out. But, all that being said; the fact that you have flat pedalls might not be the reason you are not comfortable. Good luck!

[Kathi]

I'm having the same issue. Only one foot though.

Because I had ACL surgery 3 mos ago my ortho will not let me use clipless pedals, nor am I allowed to use toe clips. Speedplay makes a neat platform pedal that clips over the X pedals. With the uninjured leg the foot naturally aligns on the ball of the foot but my injured leg aligns in the middle of the foot.

Is it a strength issue in that leg? My PT doesn't know either. BTW, the bike fits me very well.

[Geonz]

I think that if your feet don't want to go to the right position, they won't want to go to the right position with clipless pedals (or toe clips), either. It sounds like the geometry is wrong -- but it's very possible that an adjustment could fix that, say, tweaking the seat back a titch or up or forward... I would be afraid that if I went clipless and sort of *forced* my feet to be in the right spot, I'd end up with some part of my anatomy complaining about it over time.

However, of *all* the cyclists I know, only *one* didn't fairly quickly learn how to get out of them. Yes, it's a learning thing. Most of us also fell down when we were learning to ride the silly things - but that doesn't mean we didn't ever give up our training wheels!

(Full disclosure: I don't have clipless - but only 'cause I'm TOO CHEAP.)

[liksani]

I actually never kept my feet in the right position when I had platform pedals either.. This was actually fixed somewhat when I went to toe clips because the clip only allowed my foot to go so far :P But it was much better after I went to clipless since I had to clip into the correct position. Oh i managed to fall down 3 times in the two weeks I had my pedals..but I'm particularly klutzy and none of the falls were bad. They were all the slow motion topple over while cars stare at me type. Getting in and out of the clips was actually pretty easy when I remembered to do it. Darn me and my short term memory But it's all good now clipless is a lot better than platform pedals and toe clips.