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Introduction: Bicycle Design
Why Upright Bikes?
Why Recumbents Cost More
Types of Recumbents
Seat Height
Handlebars
How Much To Spend?
The Importance of Wheels
Types of Wheels
The Importance of Weight
Frame Materials
Frame Alignment
Parts, Derailleurs etc
Brakes
Suspension
Are Recumbents Invisible?
Acclimatizing to a Recumbent
Hills on a Recumbent
Clip-On Pedals
Racks & Mudguards
Bicycle Trailers
Trikes
How to Ride a Tandem
Credit Card Touring
Information Sources
Vancouver, British Columbia
Contact TALU

Clip-On Pedals & Shoes

Photo: A well-worn Shimano clip-on pedal.

Clip-on pedals and shoes are de rigueur these days. Hard-soled cycling shoes protect your feet from point-pressure and the clipped-in position keeps your feet from slipping off the pedals. Clip-ons also substantially raise the efficiency of your effort to propel the bicycle forward. On recumbents with bottom-brackets substantially higher than the seat-base clip-ons are usually a necessity to remain comfortable.

The most practical cycling shoes are mountain bike shoes because they have a grippy sole that prevents the tandem driver from slipping on the ground and allowing the bike to fall over when stopped. Road cycling shoes tend to have slippery soles that can lead to spills when the shoes are used for walking or stabilization.

If you have not yet tried clip-on pedals you should get used to clipping in and out while riding on a soft grassy area.