I remember a review of a high-spec Ducati where the reviewer spent 90 percent of the article berating the bike: the suspension was too stiff, the clutch too heavy and the engine cooked his calves. However, the reviewer had been riding a performance machine through city traffic – clearly conditions that weren't appropriate for the bike's intended purpose. All was forgiven in the final sentence, when he got the machine into the open road where it was in its element.
The Body Mechanic is a physiotherapy, bike fitting studio and repair workshop, and we spend a lot of time adjusting, repairing, replacing and swapping pedal systems to suit riders and the location-specific demands of their riding.
Find more of The Body Mechanic series here
ADVERTISEMENT
All too frequently, issues and even injuries have arisen due to the pedal not being suited to a rider's conditions. These issues (often including knee, shin and foot pain) could have been prevented if the rider had made a decision based on the design qualities and faults of the pedal and cleat, rather than following trends, succumbing to marketing hyperbole, or buying based on price.
Below is my analysis of a few road pedal systems that I hope will allow you to identify the most appropriate and effective tool for the job — and ensure you’re not the one on a Ducati in traffic.
The racer – Speedplay
Class-leading ground clearance, lightweight, and the ability to clip in on either side at the start of a race makes the Speedplay (Zero) a favourite among bike racers. Additionally, its greatly adjustable cleat position, spindle length options and totally unsprung float (especially when paired up with a four-hole Speedplay-specific shoe) means this model is the go-to for many bikefitters.
The commuter – Shimano SPD
The statistician – Garmin Vector
The all-rounder – Shimano SPD-SL
What this all means
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://ift.tt/1Smoj5q
No comments:
Post a Comment