Über die Wahl und das Einstellen von Schuhen und Pedalen
Hier werden Empfehlungen für Schuhe in Zusammenhang mit verschiedenen Pedalarten gemacht. Der wichtigeste Tipp kommt direkt am Anfang.
- Wenn man Schuhe kauft, sollte man zum Geschäfte gehen und nicht fahren!
Füße schwellen ein wenig an, wenn man auf ihnen steht oder geht. Wenn man auf dem Fahrrad zum Schauhkauf anreist, können die neuen Schuhe nach einem Spaziergang plötzlich zu klein sein. Fahrradschuhe sollte man immer etwas zu groß kaufen oder einen langen Spaziergang machen, bevor man den Laden betritt. Wenn man Schuhe für den Wintereinsatz kauft, sollte man genug Platz für zwei Lagen Wollsocken lassen.
Grundlagen
Pedalauswahl
Nun aber zu den Pedalen: Welcher Pedaltyp ist der beste für Dich? Manche Fahrräder schränken von vornherein die Auswahl etwas ein:
- Eine Rücktrittbremse verhindert das rückwärts Pedalieren nach spätestens einer viertel Umdrehung. Nach dem Anhalten muss man den Fuß vom (hinteren) bremsenden Pedal nehmen, bevor man den den anderen Fuß auf das (vordere) kraftübertragende Pedal setzen kann. Ein Fahrrad mit Rücktrittbremse ist als praktisch nur mit einfachen Blockpedalen zu fahren, die die Füße nicht arretieren.
- Ein Fahrrad mit eine OPC-Kurbel hat schmalere Pedalgewinde als andere Fahrräder. Daher ist die Auswahl an Pedalen sehr eingeschränkt, außer man setzt einen Adapter ein, der das Pedal nach Außen versetzt ({{Q-Faktor]] wird erhöht) und die Pedalfreiheit in Kurven vermindert.
- Bei einem Fixed Gear Fahrrad kann man nicht freilaufen lassen. Daher ist eine sicher Verbindung zum Pedal notwendig. Jedoch ist bei drehenden Pedalen das einklicken schwierig und auch das Festziehen von Schuhriemen ist eine Herausforderung. Pedale für Pedalplatten sind bei Fixed Gear Fahrrädern die beste Wahl.
Im Begleitartikel Fahrradpedale findet man detaillierte Informationen zur Montage, zur Demontage und zur Wartung von Pedalen.
Bei den meisten Fahrrädern kann man rückwärts treten und hat dreiteilige Kurbeln verbaut. Dort kann man jedes beliebige Pedal verwenden. Hier kann man einen Fuß auf den Boden stellen und das andere Pedal mit dem Fuß in hohe nach vorne gerichtete Startposition bewegen. Bei Klickpedalen und Pedalplatten folgt das Pedal dem Fuß. Bei einfachen Pedalen muss man dafür den Fuß unter das Pedal einhaken. Zum Anfahren steigt man auf das Pedal und lässt die Bremshebel los. Der erste Pedalstoß hebt einen in den Sattel und startet für Vorwärtsbewegung.
Anfahren und Anhalten
In folgendem Video demonstriert die 13-jährige Theresa James die vorzugsweise angewandte Technik zum Anfahren und Anhalten eines Fahrrads, bei dem man die Pedale frei rückwärts bewegen kann:
Das Video wurde mit freundlicher Genehmigung von Martin Pion, ThinkBicycling bereitgestellt.
Martins Diskussion der Start- und Stopptechnik (englisch)
Viele Fahrradfahrer haben den Sattel zu niedrig eingestellt, um effektiv pedalieren zu können. Einfache Pedala unterstützen diese Präferenz, weil sie es erlauben, mit dem Bogengewölbe des Fußes zu treten. Dazu auch mehr im Artikel Anfahren und Anhalten.
Pedalreflektoren
Einige Pedale haben eingebaute Reflektoren nach vorne und hinten, oder die Reflektoren können angeschraubt oder angeklipst werden. Nachts sollte man immer mit Beleuchtung fahren und nach hinten gerichtete Reflektoren erhöhen deutlich die Sichtbarkeit. An den Reflektoren kann man ablesen, ob Du pedalierst und sind so etwas wie Indikatoren über Deine Geschwindigkeit. Falls die Pedale keine Reflektoren aufnehmen können, können reflektierende Bänder an den Fußgelenken ein praktikabler Ersatz sein und sie reflektieren auch seitwärts (wenn auch mit der StVO nicht unbedingt konform). John Allen mag besonders die breiten Bike-A-Lite Klettverschlussbänder. Keine Bänder an den Hosenaufschlägen schonen diese. Deswegen sollte man die Hosenaufschläge möglichst in lange Socken stecken, wenn man reflektierende Bänder an den Fußgelenken trägt.In dem Fall ist nur der rechte Socken dem Schmutz der Kette ausgesetzt - wenn man nun absteigt und die Hosenaufschläge wieder aus den Socken zieht, sieht das niemand. Wenn man schwarze Socken trägt, fällt das noch weniger auf. Manche Fahrradschuhe sind selbst mit reflektierenden Zonen ausgestattet.
Einfache Pedale
Plain pedals can work with most shoes, and are most practical when a cyclist wears a variety of non bicycle-specific shoes -- especially, dress shoes. The feet are free to align themselves on plain pedals -- there is no need for adjustment, though there is also no rotational "float" -- freedom of the foot to realign itself during the pedal stroke. People who ride with the saddle too low for efficient pedaling often prefer plain pedals, so they can pedal on the arches of their feet.
If the shoes have leather soles, plain pedals should have a rubber tread for traction. With rubber soles, a toothed metal traction surface also works. A smooth metal surface will be slippery when wet, whether the soles are of leather or rubber. Plain pedals should be double-sided, so it doesn't matter which side comes up.
Plain pedals with a large platform for the foot can be used with soft-soled shoes, even moccasins or Crocs. Plain pedals which have only a metal cage, like the pedal at the left in the image below, should be used with stiff-soled shoes. Metal pedal, usable plain or with toe clips and straps Rubber-block pedal, for traction with leather soles Platform pedal, best with soft-soled shoes Double-sided metal pedal rubber-block pedal with rubber reflector double-sided platform pedal
You have to push back against yourself to keep your feet on plain pedals during the upstroke. Also, the loose connection between feet and pedals promotes a slow cadence and increases the risk of a foot's coming off a pedal, possibly causing a crash. Still, there are "keep it simple" advocates who prefer plain pedals even for long rides, and who point to the risk of knee injury when a pedal secures the foot at an incorrect angle.
In winter, avid cyclists often switch over to plain pedals so they can wear heavy boots while riding. Children and beginners usually go with plain pedals for easier starting and stopping. (On the other hand, children riding on the back of tandems should have toe clips and straps -- see the article on this site about tandeming with children.)
Pedale mit Riemen - immer noch beliebt
Toe clips and straps have been used since the 1890s and are still quite popular despite the advent of clipless pedal systems.
By preventing a foot from slipping from a pedal, even loose toe straps improve safety, once a cyclist has learned to get the feet in and out of them. So-called "mini" toe clips or pedal "baskets", though, used without straps, may look good to a beginner, but they make it harder to start without offering any advantage once you get going.
Toe clips and straps can scuff shoes, and require a relatively stiff toe box, so they aren't a great idea if you wear sandals, moccasins or Guccis. Most running shoes and bicycling shoes work well with toe clips and straps, though.
Pedals for use with toe clips and straps are available in a variety of widths and shapes. Single-sided pedals like the ones in the image below should only be used with toe clips and straps. Some quill pedals, like the one shown at the left, have a tall prong at the outer end, making them unsuitable for wide feet or wide-soled shoes. Platform pedals and track pedals, shown in the middle and right photos, avoid this problem. Quill pedal, AKA road pedal Pair of platform pedals for use with toe clips Single-sided pedal without quill, AKA track pedal Quill pedal Platform pedals for use with toe clips Track pedal
Leather toe straps are more durable than fabric ones, and stiffer -- less likely to tangle with the toe of the shoe as you put your foot in. Thread a strap starting from the outside of the pedal, with a 360 degree twist under the pedal to keep it from sliding out of position. Do not insert the end of the strap into the slot at the bottom of the buckle. Instead, leave it hanging out like a floppy dog ear. Then you can tighten the strap by pulling on the end, and loosen it by pushing the buckle outward with your thumb.
Properly threaded toe strap
This correctly-threaded leather toe strap was started from the outside of the pedal; and twisted 360° as it passes through the pedal. The end is loose, to tighten by pulling, or to loosen by pushing outward on the buckle. The toe clip here is mounted outboard of center, to accommodate the cyclist's splay-footedness. This is a rear pedal on a tandem; a bungee cord connects to the front pedal and holds both pedals upright. The knot in the bungee cord shortens it so it holds tension.
Most toe clips attach to the front of the pedal with two bolts, and can be placed under a pedal reflector. If your feet toe out, you may want to mount the toe clips farther toward the outside of the pedals than usual. Toe clips are sold in different lengths. It is very important for toe clips to be long enough to avoid strain to the Achilles tendon (at the back of the ankle). The ball of the foot should be over the pedal axle or slightly farther forward. Slightly oversize toe clips place the strap behind the widest part of the shoe, allowing you to pull back lightly at the bottom of the pedal stroke. There is confusion in toe-clip sizing: I've found Japanese ones to be one size smaller than European ones with the same markings (S, M, L, XL).
To get your foot into the toe clip, place your toe of your shoe on the back of the pedal and push down. On a recumbent bicycle, pull the back end of the toe clip toward you with the toe of your shoe. Get one shoe into its toe clip before you start. As you start, slip the other foot into its toe clip. If you don't succeed on the first pedal stroke, ride with the pedal upside down until you have built up enough speed to try again. Except on a fixed-gear bicycle, you may stop pedaling momentarily to reach down and tighten the toe clip once you get going.
Many people worry about getting their shoes out of the clips, but really, you only have to exit a pedal while nearly at a stop. A bit of practice while leaning against a wall will probably get you comfortable with this. You Power Gripdon't have to tighten up the straps if you don't want to, or, as you approach a stop, you may loosen the strap for the foot you put down. It is usually still possible to wiggle a foot out for an unanticipated stop. If you do fall, it's usually more about laughter than tears -- and especially if you wear cycling gloves so you can safely put a hand down to break the fall.
Power Grips -- wide straps that extend diagonally across each pedal from the outside front to the inside rear -- offer an alternative to toe clips and straps.
One widely-recognized problem with toe clips and straps, as well as Power Grips, is discomfort due to the pressure of the strap on the top of the foot. The strap also impairs circulation, resulting in even more discomfort in cold weather. As noted, adjusting toe straps is hard on a fixed-gear bicycle, because you can't stop turning the pedals.
Klickpedale
Clipless shoe-pedal systems work somewhat like ski bindings. They allow easy, hands-free release of the foot -- even more important on a fixed-gear bicycle -- and avoid pressure on the top of the foot. Most early clipless systems (1980s) had cleats that protruded from the shoe soles, but Shimano SPD, Eggbeater, and Speedplay Frog systems, among others, have recessed cleats and walkable shoes. Some walkable systems shed mud and packed snow well, making them practical for almost any kind of riding.
Cleats for clipless systems bolt to the soles of the shoes. Different systems use different cleats and bolt-hole patterns, so you need to take care to buy shoes that will work with your cleats and pedals. Cleats are sold with pedals, rather than shoes.
As with toe clips and straps, practice getting your feet in and out of these pedals before you go riding with them. The motion is different from that with toe clips, and it also is different with different kinds of clipless pedals. Most of these pedals have a release adjustment, which you set according to your leg strength.
The photos below show a selection of pedals used in clipless systems.
Speedplay Frog pedal Look racing pedal, uses non-walkable cleat Crank Brothers
Eggbeater pedal
Speedplay Frog pedal Look Pedals Eggbeater pedal
Pair of Shimano SPD/platform pedals. Which side is up? Two-sided Shimano SPD pedal SPD single-sided pedals Shimano SPD pedal
My own choice, for urban cycling as well as recreational rides and bicycle touring, is SPD in its walkable "mountain bike" version. Other systems may be lighter, and easier to adjust, but SPD is relatively economical, and a wide variety of pedals and shoes is available from several makers. Shimano makes two kinds of cleats -- black, which release only with a twist of the ankle to the side, and silver, which also release upward. I prefer silver.
I do not like combination pedals which are plain on one side and clipless on the other -- like those at the lower left in the picture above. You are likely to fumble getting started because the wrong side of a pedal comes up. I suppose that these pedals might make sense for someone who can't have a different bicycle equipped with each kind of pedals. Some pedals are double-sided with platforms but have SPD on both sides, providing better support for the shoe. Long-distance riders report that these pedals improve comfort. The SPD pedals at the lower right in the picture are minimalist, designed for light weight. They work best with shoes that have stiff soles.
Cleats are adjustable, forward and back, from side to side, and in rotation for toe out/toe in. Most clipless systems also offer some rotational “float” – the feet are free to toe in or out. Float makes initial alignment less critical, and accommodates the slight changes in the natural angle of the foot at different parts of the crank rotation.
Correctly-aligned cleats make long rides easier and more comfortable, but incorrectly aligned cleats can quickly lead to knee pain -- usually at the outside of the knees. Prolonged misalignment can result in damage to cartilage in the knee joints, so -- deal with this problem promptly!
The cleat attachment on most bicycling shoes has the feet pointing directly forward -- but most people toe out. Except with pedals such as Speedplay that have a wide range of free "float", you will probably need to rotate the cleats. You may also have to move the cleats toward the big-toe side of the shoe soles so your ankles clear the cranks. While most systems offer a range of forward-and-back adjustment, legendary long-distance cyclist Lon Haldeman modifies his shoes to place the cleats even farther back. He reports that this eliminates foot pain and without reducing his power output. You may find his advice here.
A good way to start with cleat alignment is to note how your feet rest on plain pedals. You may also want to ask for the help of an experienced bike shop mechanic who uses the New England Cycling Academy Fit Kit, with its R.A.D. (Rotational Adjustment Device). If a foot feels like it wants to rotate, then it does. In tough cases, you do well to seek professional help from a sports orthopedist. You may need orthotics (shoe inserts, or wedges under the cleats) to align your feet, and/or "knee savers" (pedal axle extenders).
solessmIMG_1195
The soles of my Specialized Body Geometry bicycle shoes, with Shimano SPD cleats. The cleats are rotated to accommodate my natural toe-out: the cleats are parallel, while the slots under them splay outward, though intended to point directly forward. Also, the cleats are installed as far as they will go to the big toe side of the soles, to get my ankles clear of old Stronglight cranks, and as far back as they will go, to spare my Achilles tendons. Spoke Divider
Adjusting a Shimano SPD cleat
Adjusting the angle of a Shimano SPD cleat by rotating it with an adjustable wrench while tightening the bolts that secure it to the shoe.
Spoke Divider
kneesavers
Knee savers
Sheldons Sandalen
A wide variety of shoes is made for clipless systems -- though if you want cleated business Oxfords or patent-leather pumps, you still have to get them modified yourself. (The market cries out! Really!) You can get sandals, combining high-efficiency pedaling with a 1950s beatnik look. Quoting Sheldon Brown, the founder of this Web site:: "These are my very favorite footwear. In the summertime I go for weeks on end without ever having anything else on my feet. Far and away the most comfortable cycling footwear ever."
This topic deserves a longer discussion, so here it is.
Sheldon in sandals
Sheldon wearing Shimano SPD sandals, New Year's Day 2004, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Ever making his way upstream against the current of conventional so-called wisdom, Sheldon also wore Shimano SPD sandals in winter. I had to ask him what he was thinking, wearing sandals, as I took the photo above during the Charles River Wheelmen bicycle club's New Year's Day 2004 ride. The temperature was 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius). Sheldon cheerfully explained that sandals, unlike ordinary shoes, do not restrict circulation to the feet, which stay warm. I gave sandals a try in cold weather and can confirm this. With two pairs of wool socks inside my SPD sandals, I have been comfortable on days when fingers of ice were forming in puddles on the road.
The Velcro straps of SPD sandals also are very accommodating of different thicknesses of socks, or no socks at all. On a warm, rainy day, I favor a bicycle with fenders, a Carradice rain cape -- and sandals worn without socks. Shimano sandals are mostly rubber, so they dry easily. When I get to the end of my ride, I wipe the sandals dry, put socks on, put the sandals back on, and I'm prepared to meet the dress code of offices, shops and restaurants.
I have tried Keen and Specialized brand sandals, but I like Shimano SPD sandals much better -- they have an open toe and don't cramp the feet. When I wear conventional cycling shoes. they are Specialized Body Geometry shoes.
In case you think that an avid cyclist's wearing sandals is a new idea, check this out:
Velocio in sandals
The photo is from before 1930. The cyclist is the Frenchman Paul de Vivie, known as Vélocio, a central figure in cycletouring and development of bicycle gearing systems in the early 20th Century. The bicycle in the photo has bi-chain gearing with gear selection by engaging drive on one or the other side. The Dancing Chain, the definitive -- and entertaining -- book on the history of bicycle gearing, includes the photo and describes de Vivie as wearing monk's sandals, no matter what the weather.
Fazit
There are more options in bicycle shoes and pedals now than ever before -- and there are also some outside-the-toe-box options worth considering. I hope that I have been able to help you choose shoes and pedals, and set them up to work well for you.
Siehe auch
- Fahrradpedale
- Sheldons Artikel im Adventure Cycling Magazin über Reisetaugliche Pedale (englisch/PDF)
- Speedplay Seite über Klickpedale
- Martin Pions Diskussion der Start- und Stopptechnik (englisch)
- Anfahren und Anhalten
Quelle
Dieser Artikel basiert auf dem Artikel Choosing and Adjusting Bicycle Shoes and Pedals von der Website Sheldon Browns. Originalautor des Artikels ist John Allen.
