What are clipless pedals and do I need special shoes for them?

Sporty riders, both on road bikes and mountain bikes, are interested in achieving the most loss-free power transfer possible from the legs to the pedals. To achieve this, the foot and the bike pedal are firmly connected to each other.

The first "basket pedals", where the feet were still fixed to the pedal with leather straps, were replaced quite quickly by so-called click systems. Click pedals allow a firm connection of the feet to the pedals, similar to a ski binding. For this purpose, cycling shoes must have a receptacle to which a metal or plastic plate is screwed, which then locks into the pedal when the rider climbs on. To release the connection, the foot must be turned away over the heel when dismounting.

A characteristic of road bike shoes is that the cleats are screwed under a smooth, extremely stiff sole, which makes walking difficult. In mountain bike shoes, on the other hand, the plates are recessed and the sole is not quite as stiff to make walking possible during carrying passages. Basically, the stiffer the shoe sole, the better the power transfer to the pedal.

Advantages:

  • Secure footing - you almost never slip off the pedal.
  • Optimal power transfer from the legs to the pedals
  • The feet are always in the optimal position.
  • In the stroke movement of the pedal you can additionally pull with the
    legs (round step)

Disadvantages:

  • Special shoes are necessary.
  • Adjustment time and practice are necessary.
  • Possible getting stuck in the pedal in case of a fall

We install clipless pedal devices in almost all MTB soles. The sporty soles are equipped with less and harder profiling than the all-mountain soles. The latter have a good, non-slip outsole for it.

Mounting clipless pedals

The attachment of cleats (the metal or plastic plates of the pedals) is basically quite simple. With the following instructions, you will reach your goal quickly and easily - but please always follow the installation instructions of the pedal manufacturer.

Die Abdeckung der Klickpedal-Platte wird von der Fahrradschuh-Sohle gelöstDie Abdeckung der Klickpedal-Platte wird von der Fahrradschuh-Sohle gelöst

Clear cleat area. Unscrew the screwed-on plate or cut out the rubber wedge.

Ein Fuß; auf der Höhe des Großzehen-Grundgelenks ist ein roter Strich eingezeichnetEin Fuß; auf der Höhe des Großzehen-Grundgelenks ist ein roter Strich eingezeichnet

Determine big toe base joint. The position of the metatarsophalangeal joint is important for the correct position of the cleats. This is determined on the bare foot (see illustration). The position is marked on the skin.

Ein Fahrradschuh, dessen Zunge hochgeklappt istEin Fahrradschuh, dessen Zunge hochgeklappt ist

Mounting the cleats. The ideal position of the cleats is best determined by stepping into the shoe and pushing the sliding threaded plate in the outsole approximately at the level of the previously marked big toe metatarsophalangeal joint. Then insert the cleats centrally with the tip facing forward and tighten (max. torque 5 Nm).

4.adjusting the clipless pedal. The correct setting of the clipless pedal can be found in the pedal assembly instructions.