Siriusguy
new member
Reged: 03/28/04
Posts: 11
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My brother-in-law just got his first roadbike, and it's clear he'll be a very good rider. He had no problem taking a pull at 17-18 mph into an 8 mph headwind. BUT, he's taking up cycling largely because he can't really run, due to an ankle that he shattered, and which, after surgical fixation, has little if any inversion or eversion. So, he's chosen for now to ride in sneakers, with a caged pedal, not at all optimal. Might anyone have experience with a similar situation, and advice which of the pedal systems might be best for someone with this limitation? Thanks for any input.
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dfcas
contributor
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 143
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I shattered mine about 9 years ago and had the best success with Speedplay Frogs,the mountain pedal.No resistance to twisting,and quick release.The road X's required too much twist for me at that time.
Dan C.
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bfd
journeyman
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 77
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Siriusguy states:
<My brother-in-law just got his first roadbike, and it's clear he'll be a very good rider. He had no problem taking a pull at 17-18 mph into an 8 mph headwind.>
If he has no problems with his current "sneakers and caged pedals", and at those speeds it doesn't sound like it, why change? Clipless pedals may not be "more optimal" for him, especially if he has "little if any inversion or eversion".
I would recommend he find a good LBS and work with them on trying out various pedals, like the speedplay frogs.
However, he may find that "sneakers and caged pedals" may be the best for him. If that's the case, he should take a look at a wider platform pedal like these:
http://rivendellbicycles.com/webalog/pedals_clips_straps/14030.html
or these:
http://rivendellbicycles.com/webalog/pedals_clips_straps/14047.html
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Nev
captain
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 375
Loc: Never where I want to be
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Might try egg beaters. I have them on my all mountain bikes and the release is nothing. You set the degree to where the release happens by choosing which cleat goes on which foot. The cleats are also brass and wear down, making release even easier. Maybe he could find of "used" cleats, trade his new ones for someone's old ones. He'll definitely have untensioned rotation available, don't know how much is tolerable, but gotta be safer than being clipped into a cage.
The reason I orignally went clipless way back was I couldn't get my foot out of a cage and tweaked my ankle bad.
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Jas0n
journeyman
Reged: 01/26/04
Posts: 62
Loc: Westchester, New York
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bebops are great for bad knees/ankles. i ride them beacause of bad right knee. they are also very light, and have a rather durable, yet lightweight cleat. as another issue, i would suggest being measured for foot varus, which is essentially the natural kant of your foot; if you do have varus or vargus (sp?), your cleat can be shimmed so that your cleat is in a level position when clipped into the pedal, but your knee and ankle are in their natural position. this also has performance benefits as you have more surface contact with the sole of your shoe (rather than simply contacting on the outside or inside, depening on kant, your whole foot is in contact with the sole). a good shop will be able to do this for you. good luck.
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eat to live, live to ride
if it ain't rainin, it ain't trainin
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Don't forget Power Grips as an alternative. If you are not familiar they are a "strap" that allows a tight fit but quick exit. Power Grips Cambria Bike has them at a good price.
If you are interested in Speedplays I have a pair I am selling, with the bearings repacked (I do it about every 2 months), cleats worn three times, two pairs of cleat covers, a total of 6 extra springs for the cleats,the the "holder" of them, and a speedy luber which is the connection for the grease gun. $107 and I'll ship them for free.
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easypedaler
contributor
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 149
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crank brothers candy SL's like all other eggbeater pedals are the easiest pedals to get in/out of.
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flythebike
captain
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 272
Loc: N. Virginia, USA
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I just shimmed my right shoe due to 3/8ths inch leg length difference using the Lemond LeWedge system (www.lemondbikes.com). You can use their wedges to adjust the cant of your foot as well as stack them to deal with the leg length issue. A set costs $25. They say that people have a natural inward cant and that pedal systems flatten it out. Their system restores the natural cant. It seems to work...the leg length aspect is a definite home run, and I think they are on to something with the cant as well.
I second the Power Grips thing to. They definitely work. But over long distances I think they can kind of mash your foot. Toe clips and straps were good enough for generations of pros...get some good bike shoes and go old school.
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Power Grips vs. Clips. I don't disagree but for a bad ankle the Power Grips are a lot easier to learn how to get out fast and easily without any ankle trauma. If you are clipped in tight and need to get out fast the person could yank and do ankle damage. That was my point with them. My wife has a bad ankle and I had investigated all sorts of options in case I could talk her into riding. No luck with talk however. Her doctor was adamant no clipless pedals however as he did not want her going down clipped in. (I know it is easy clipless are easy to get out...but this is a beginner...plus if you go down way fast...he said it would be fused ankle time.)
Funny I just sold some Lemond Lewedges. They didn't work with me and Speedplays. However I have a very strange knee and subsequent foot movement. I think the concept is great except with strange knees and feet! 
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Bruce
contributor
Reged: 12/27/03
Posts: 133
Loc: North of NYC
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I use both the Speedplay Frogs and the Bebop pedals. While I don't have a bad ankle, I would think both would be good for a bad ankle.
The Frogs don't let you swing in toward the crank. Both are easy to get out of.
I would NOT recommend, Look, SPD or Campy, as they can all be more work to get out of and don't have the float of the Frogs or Bebop.
I like the Bebop better than the Frogs.
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