How to choose bicycle pedals (part 2)

Contact pedals

Among professionals or advanced amateurs, this type of bicycle pedal is the most common. They provide much better grip than conventional platform pedals.
They are arranged in such a way that the spike, which is located on the sole of the contact bicycles, is fastened into the pedal.

This ensures a reliable foot attachment to the pedal. Due to this, the leg does not come off on the bumps, it will be much more comfortable during the ride, as well as the cyclist has the opportunity to work on the pedal along the entire radius of pedaling.

Regular contact pedals are used by cyclists performing in cross-country competitions.

Beginners are highly advised not to ride with such pedals, because they, in the absence of experience, do not always get out of the pedal in time, what often leads to a fall.

For safety when riding a bicycle, read this article.
In addition to these pedals, the cyclist will also have to buy special bicycle shoes. Such a kit rarely costs less than ten thousand rubles.

Semi-contact pedals and highway contact pedals

These types of contact pedals are designed specifically for aggressive mountain biking, such as downhill or enduro, and highway races, respectively.
Semi-contact pedals are a hybrid of platform pedals and contact pedals.

The fact is that racers who perform in the disciplines of downhill and enduro need a large pedal area for convenience.

In addition, they often have to remove their feet from the pedals during the course of the race. With normal contact pedals it would be hard.

Highway contact pedals are a lightweight and partially simplified model of conventional contact pedals.
To be fastened in such pedals it will turn out only from one side. Due to this, road pedals are much easier than others and more rigidly fix the leg.

Pedals with toe-clips

Such pedals can be seen in experienced cyclists on old bicycles.

Their device is very simple: a special restraining device, similar to a belt, is attached to conventional foot pedals, then a leg is inserted into it.

Such a mechanism is much cheaper than contact pedals, but less reliable. Moreover, it is very difficult to find such pedals today, since preference is given still to the contact pedals.

Pedals with toe-clips today can rarely be seen from tourists and “old-school” cyclists and on city bicycles.

How to make a choice?

It turns out that the choice of pedals for a bicycle depends on the level of the rider’s skill, riding style and experience. Beginners can ride without a back thought on standard pedals, but with the obligatory subsequent replacement.

For amateurs with a big foot it is better to buy pedals with a large platform.

Once you have already acquired basic skills of riding and achieved systematicity and dimensionality of trips, you can safely switch to contact pedals.

The main thing to remember is that incorrectly selected pedals will not allow you to get maximum comfort from the trip.