A Question About Recumbent Trike Pedals
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A Question About Recumbent Trike Pedals
I've ordered a Catrike Villager and would like to replace the pedals that come with it with something that will help prevent my feet from slipping off at an inopportune moment (ie - "leg suck"). I'm trying to choose between two completely different styles of pedals - these MTB pedals and these pedals with a heel cup. Of these two, which would you say are more effective at preventing "leg-suck"? Does anyone have any experience with either, or something similar? Which would you recommend?
Also, can anyone confirm whether the pedal thread on the Villager is 9/16"?
Thanks!
Bert
Also, can anyone confirm whether the pedal thread on the Villager is 9/16"?
Thanks!
Bert
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Not on a bent with the BB even with or above the bottom of the seat. (Unless you use old fashioned slotted cleats).
OP - Yes. The threads are standard 9/16" on any bike/trike other than a BSO (bicycle shaped object).
OP - Yes. The threads are standard 9/16" on any bike/trike other than a BSO (bicycle shaped object).
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I believe your trike will come with SPD pedals. If you are inclined to wear SPD cleated shoes you'll have no issue with your feet leaving the pedals under normal circumstances. I rode with cleats on my trike for many years but started to have foot pain related to how the cleat positioned my foot on the pedal. I now have platform pedals with PowerGrip straps and they are working perfectly. They hold my feet secure in a position more suitable to me.
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I agree that it may come with cheap combo flat/SPD pedals. I’m pretty sure that my wife’s 700 did. My personal trikes have SPDs.
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I believe your trike will come with SPD pedals. If you are inclined to wear SPD cleated shoes you'll have no issue with your feet leaving the pedals under normal circumstances. I rode with cleats on my trike for many years but started to have foot pain related to how the cleat positioned my foot on the pedal. I now have platform pedals with PowerGrip straps and they are working perfectly. They hold my feet secure in a position more suitable to me.
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OP here - I forgot to mention that I have NO interest in clipless pedals because I need to move my feet around on the pedals a bit to relieve occasional foot-cramping. While it's certainly the most secure solution, I feel that being clipped in would be too restrictive for me. So, I'm looking for an alternative solution.
If you use regular shoes and heel slings, use the largest platform pedal you can find, and make sure it has lots of pins.
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OP here - I forgot to mention that I have NO interest in clipless pedals because I need to move my feet around on the pedals a bit to relieve occasional foot-cramping. While it's certainly the most secure solution, I feel that being clipped in would be too restrictive for me. So, I'm looking for an alternative solution.
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I'll say too that if your sole is stiff enough, then it doesn't matter how small the interface is between shoe and pedal - your foot only knows whether or not the insole is deforming. A friend was having problems with hotfoot, and it turned out his decade-old shoes had lost their stiffness. They may have fit well, but they were the problem! New shoes fixed it. The other thing to check is to make sure the pedal's spindle falls *just* behind the ball of your foot. Some people like to have it fall WAY behind the ball of the foot; but just make sure it's not too far forward. Pedaling on your toes may feel more powerful but it causes problems, from hotfoot to shin splints to pulled Achilles tendons.
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A two sided pedal is the way to go IMO. Do clip in to prevent leg suck, and the flat side is useful for moving the bike around at low speed.
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I believe your trike will come with SPD pedals. If you are inclined to wear SPD cleated shoes you'll have no issue with your feet leaving the pedals under normal circumstances. I rode with cleats on my trike for many years but started to have foot pain related to how the cleat positioned my foot on the pedal. I now have platform pedals with PowerGrip straps and they are working perfectly. They hold my feet secure in a position more suitable to me.
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Also couldn't tolerate clipless pedals
This picture is very close to what will come with your Catrike. They use the same type OEM pedal for all their models. I chose not to use them on my CT700 when I got it brand new as I prefer to use strapless mini-toe clips and standard platform pedals (2nd pix). You just remove the pedal reflectors in order to install the toe clip to the pedal. I never used the OEM pedals (still have them somewhere) because I couldn't use the mini-toe clip on it. Like you, I can't tolerate clipless pedals and haven't used them in decades. Two decades riding a trike and no injury due to leg suck with many thousand miles.
Some day I will get around to installing a set of Campi Record pedals that have been sitting in the box for decades but the Nashbar platform pedals have gone through three trikes and still function well. Mini-toe clips used to cost about $5 a set. The price is now double the last time I bought a set - $10 https://www.ebay.com/itm/393436371354 I have a set of powergrips sitting in a drawer. When I gifted an old MTB to a friend, he insisted I take off the Powergrips. I never used them. They came with the used bike.
Some day I will get around to installing a set of Campi Record pedals that have been sitting in the box for decades but the Nashbar platform pedals have gone through three trikes and still function well. Mini-toe clips used to cost about $5 a set. The price is now double the last time I bought a set - $10 https://www.ebay.com/itm/393436371354 I have a set of powergrips sitting in a drawer. When I gifted an old MTB to a friend, he insisted I take off the Powergrips. I never used them. They came with the used bike.
#15
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I made my own heel straps using a bit of alum flat stock, a couple pop rivets and then 2 small bolts to fasten to the pedals, no leg suck after that.
#16
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Powergrips, either commercially-made or homemade, seem to be a good solution which not only keeps your foot from slipping off the pedals in rough patches; but also allow a bit of pulling to help smooth out the pedal stroke.