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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

1554.0. "Help on Pedal retrofit" by MILKWY::CRITCHLOW () Tue May 22 1990 12:25

         I have a question from my father. He recently upgraded his
         pedals because he has wide feet. What he did was remove the
         plate on the entrance side of the pedal and machine a new
         one out of aluminum stock. Since these are pedals with
         clips (shimano 600 I think) he needs to have one of those
         little tabs to catch the pedal with his toe to flip it
         over to get his toe in the clip.

         He put a tab that was similar to the 600 design on, but he
         is having a hard time using it. He had a hard time with the
         original design that came with the pedal. In fact I have
         problems with the 105s on my bike at times (same design).

         His question is are there any other designs or widgets you
         can buy or he can copy that work better? I have suggested
         that maybe the design of his shoe might be the culprit. He
         is using sneaker-like trouing shoes. So, they should grap
         the Tab fine. I guess the problem is getting the toe from
         the tab and into the pedal before the whole thing flops
         over again. I have experienced this and do get frustrated
         with it. 

         I am pretty sure he doesn't want to drop $150 into
         clipless.....:-)

         Looking for suggestions,

         JC
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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1554.1Shoe-Goo?SHALOT::ELLISJohn Lee Ellis - assembly requiredTue May 22 1990 12:5417
    
    It's hard to know without video analysis (:-)), but maybe the
    touring shoes are grabbing *too* well.  (I'm trying to remember
    the difficulties I've had with non-cleated shoes in pedals like
    that.)  Namely, you (1) flip the pedal up, then you (2) scoot your 
    foot forward into it.  It maybe step 2 where the shoe is grabbing
    onto the pedal - either the sole of the shoe or the sides, if it's
    a wide shoe.
    
    Here's an idea (completely untested!): the *toe* (and toe-point of
    the sole underneath) shoed by rough, like cleated shoes; but you
    could smooth out the sole behind the toe, and the side-edges around
    that area, with Shoe-Goo.  The shoes will still be useable, even
    if this fails, but you might not like the cosmetics.  You be the
    judge.  Cheaper than clipless.  :-)
    
    -john
1554.2Reflectors?DEBUG::SCHULDTI'm Occupant!Tue May 22 1990 12:562
    Do you have the reflectors on he pedals?  They definitely make it
    harder to enter the pedal.  If you do, take 'em off.
1554.3JUPTR::CRITZWho'll win the TdF in 1990?Tue May 22 1990 13:516
    	John Lee,
    
    	I afraid to ask, but what the heck is Shoe-Goo? It must
    	be some kind of lubricant, but ???
    
    	Scott
1554.4the story of Shoe GooSHALOT::ELLISJohn Lee Ellis - assembly requiredTue May 22 1990 14:0523
    
    Back in the 70's, when health-conscious America pounded the pavement
    in Adidas leather running shoes, or Keds, running-shoe sole wear was
    a big problem - a dedicated runner might only get a couple months out
    of a shoe.  Then along came Shoe Goo!
    
    Shoe Goo is a plastic (polymer) compound in a tube that you can squeeze 
    onto the worn spots of your soles and build up a tough, rubber-like area.  
    
    Economy-minded people have even used it for covering bald spots in an
    otherwise good bike-tire, 'til the rest of the tire catches up in being
    worn out.  (It works.)  Of course, now all bike parts are so expensive,
    it's futile to try to save a few bucks prolonging tire life.  :-(
    
    But I was serious about trying Shoe Goo - you'll typically find it in
    sports or running stores (not in bike shops).  It is a white tube with
    red lettering, as I recall.
    
    There's a myriad of uses for Shoe Goo, by the way, in case the
    suggested purpose doesn't work out, or you have some left over.
    Be inventive!  :-)
    
    -john
1554.5What about?MILKWY::CRITCHLOWTue May 22 1990 15:5743
         I have been thinking about this a bit.


         If you look at the present design:


                                      ______
                _____                 clip  \
           Machined |                        \
             Plate  V                         \
                     ___________________________
                    |         /     \ pedal    |
                    |         |     |          |
                 ___|         \     /         /
          tab > /   --------------------------




               What if my father were to machine the plate with the
         tab moved up towards the top of the plate so that the
         distance the toe has to travel to get in the clip is less:


                                      ______
                _____                 clip  \
           Machined |                        \
             Plate  V                         \
                     ___________________________
                 ---|         /     \ pedal    |
         tab-> /    |         |     |          |
                    |         \     /         /
                    --------------------------


         I am pretty sure that these pedals don't have reflectors.
         Shimano 600s don't come with them do they?


         Just a thought. I'm calling him tonight.

         JC

1554.6It ain't supposed to wrokNOVA::FISHERDictionary is not.Wed May 23 1990 04:477
    Those darned tabs never worked for me either.  I think they're just
    there to make you feel inferior.  You're not supposed to be able to
    use them right.
    
    :-)
    
    ed
1554.7 quik-flips?USMRM5::MREIDWed May 23 1990 10:4911
    There are 'tabs' that you can buy to make entry into
    the clips easier; I forget the name (Quik-Flips?) and
    where you can get them, but I recall that they screw onto
    the pedal on the opposite side of where the toe clip screws
    on, and they work because these 'tabs' are quite large &
    easy to catch with a shoe. They are designed for mountain
    bike pedals, but should work equally well on road pedals.
    
    I'll see if I can dig up some more info in my files...
    
    Mark
1554.8pedal design = #!@!&KOOZEE::PAULHUSChris @ MLO6B-2/T13 dtn 223-6871Wed May 23 1990 11:4912
    two solutions: 
    		1. Go to clipless pedals  :-}
    		2. hang a 4 oz weight from the back of the pedal so it
    		stays in position to put your toe in.  :-(
    
    	Why didn't (no need now that we have clipless pedals) they have
    regular pedals in two styles: a racing pedal with high ground clearance
    in turns that was hard to get into (typical design), and a touring
    pedal with the c.g. below the pedal axle, even with clip/strap, that
    hung in a good position to put your toe into?   Just another example of
    how racing has dominated bicycle design, much to the harm of typical
    bicycle users. - Chris, who rides a bike banned by race organizations
1554.9JUMBLY::MACFADYENGo on, entertain me!Wed May 23 1990 13:5117
>    <<< Note 1554.8 by KOOZEE::PAULHUS "Chris @ MLO6B-2/T13 dtn 223-6871" >>>
>
>                                                       and a touring
>    pedal with the c.g. below the pedal axle, even with clip/strap, that
>    hung in a good position to put your toe into?   
    
    I have actually seen a pedal like this. In 86 I was buying new pedals
    for my touring bike and was shown SR platform pedals, which I bought,
    plus a pair that were weighted so as always to be level (just as you
    describe), which I didn't buy because the extra 100g would slow me
    right down, unlike 20kg of loaded pannier.
    
    But I can't for the life of me remember a make or model although I do
    remember the shop, Harry Hall in Manchester (England).
    
    
    Rod