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ANGLETECH PEDAL and SHOE THESIS.        By Kelvin Clark

Whether you now ride a recumbent cycle or are contemplating recumbent cycling, a look into a first class pedal and shoe solution will help you reach “pedaling nirvana.”

Riding a recumbent bike means horizontal elevation of your leg to deliver power to the pedal. Especially on short wheelbase designs this means your legs are level or above the level of your hips. You therefore are placing subliminal pressure on the pedals to maintain contact and not have a foot drop situation. While you can enjoy your bike, this foot pressure translates into pressure at the knees and hips and a “strokey” pedal action.

FOOT PLACEMENT.

Foot placement on a recumbent is different on a recumbent than on a “wedgie.” Traditionally you are to place the ball of the foot over the pedal shaft. On a recumbent, you place the ball of your foot just beyond the pedal shaft. Toe clips are not valid on a recumbent due to the toes to the sky foot position and improper foot placement.

 ENTER THE CLIPLESS PEDAL.

A clipless pedal means you have a cleat mounted to your shoes that interfaces in a ski binding like fashion with your pedal. Once you engage the pedal, you are no longer applying pressure to keep your foot anchored. You then work on a circular type pedal stroke, pulling back across the bottom of your stroke with one leg as the other is pressing forward over the top of the stroke, imagining circles in your mind. This makes a dramatic difference in climbing ability and speed. After experiencing the change, clients tell me they wish they had done this years ago. The adjustable cleat anchors in the shoe sole also guarantee proper foot location on the pedal. Mount your cleats all the way to the rear of the shoe.

 THE BEST CLIPLESS PEDALS.

There are a variety of clipless pedals on the market. Most are called SPD or are SPD clones. While OK, there is a design we prefer called BeBop.

 

The BeBop pedal has a number of advantages over the typical SPD type design:

1.       Light weight. Only 195 grams per pair for the Stainless model.

2.     Springless design. This means low-pressure entry and exit.

3.     20 degrees of “free float.” When you pedal your knee guides your foot to float left and right rotationally through the stroke. Without “float” (most systems have up to 4 degrees), your knee joint has to compensate causing wear on your knee. With the BeBop your foot floats to its desired position without any spring resistance inhibiting travel.

4.     Large cleat interface with the pedal. SPD type systems have a small oval shaped cleat. The BeBop’s cleat interface is the whole diameter of the pedal, yielding about 4 times the contact surface spreading foot pressure over a larger area.

5.     Flat pedal surface. Because there are no spring mechanisms sticking up from the pedal body, you can ride your BeBop pedals down the road in street shoes for the occasional errand without your foot slipping off the pedal surface.

6.    Dual direction exit. Most systems exit only to the outboard side. The BeBop release either inboard or outboard so you can exit any way you want.

7.      Fits our recommended SIDI Dominator 5, Genius 5, Lake sandals & other SPD type shoes.

QUALITY BIKE SHOES.

Investing in a quality pair of shoes makes every cycling day a pleasure. Bike shoes are different than running shoes in that the sole is a stiff design to better deliver power to the road and dissipate pedal pressure.

 

The Italians seem to have always had a cultural edge on comfortable shoes, and bike shoes are no exception. We suggest SIDI shoes from Italy.

The SIDI Dominator 5 series offers:

1.       Standard, narrow, wide (Mega), and women’s in whole and ½ sizes. More choice than anyone.

2.     SIDI has the stiffest sole on the market.

3.     Plastic molded heel cup for best support.

4.     2 Velcro straps with integrated nylon grippers, plus exclusive Ultra SL top buckle for click-by-click fine-tuning of fit.

5.     Padded tongue with fit “relievers.”

6.    Recessed cleat mounting area for cleat fit flush with the sole.

The Sidi Dominator 6 offers additional features:

1. A full carbon fiber sole for even more stiffness, better power transfer and reduced pressure.

2. Grippier, replaceable, walking treads.

3. Adjustable Heel Support System for even more sure heel support and reduced upper strap pressure

4. The Sidi tri adjustment Caliper generation model buckle with adjustments that can be done while on the fly.

 

	BILATERAL FOOT ALIGNMENT SUSPENSION TECHNOLOGY (BFAST) The ALINEr device optimizes your ALINEs by using TABS to adjust the BFAST triangular suspension and support zones. The ALINEr measures required increases in support structures of your ALINEs to ensure the tuberosity of the 5th metatarsal is correctly lowered and your ankle and knee are properly aligned.
ANGLETECH can optimize your ALINEs to ensure the perfect fit for your foot and the proper alignment of your body for maximum power and control, using the ALINEr device. ALINE's patent pending measuring system is specially designed to find and measure your foot's unique and complex system of arches, to precisely determineyour body's centerline, reveal the optimum alignment for your feet, ankles and knees, and give guidance for proper footwear selection.	FOOT CENTERING ALINE's measurement device pinpoints the centerline of your foot, enabling the measurement of the inflare and outflare of your foot relative to your individual centerline. Accurate determination of this centerline is the only way to ensure an a precise fit.
ANGLETECH experienced the ALINE system at the Interbike show, 2006. It's a precision way to get your body alignment in order relative to cycling. The perfect compliment to your SIDI shoes. Done in-store, of course, no oven baking, quick, easy, professional, and at a modest price.	ANKLE ALIGNMENT ALINE's custom fitting process determines the alignment of your ankle in relation to your foot. A properly aligned ankle improves directional control and transfer of power, increasing your ability to reach your peak performance and reducing the likelihood of injury.
	KNEE ALIGNMENT ALINE's system locates the center position of knee mass in relation to the feet and ankles. Proper alignment of the knee avoids uneven wear on the cartilage which, left unaligned, can lead to loss of performance and chronic damage.

 

SPECIAL APPLICATION.

 

   

KNEESAVERS are stainless steel or titanium pedal extensions that move each pedal away from your crank arm 20, 25, or 30mm and work with any pedal system.  Titanium versions available for 50% weight reduction.  Developed by Randy Ice P.T., C.C.S.

KNEESAVERS help eliminate knee pain for those cyclists with a toe out condition as well as improve biomechanics in those cyclists with wider hips (women generally), large feet (men generally), or bowlegged / knock kneed leg structure.

 CRANK ARM SHORTENERS.

When your left and right legs are not of equal length, there are solutions as well. Crank shorteners have 4 pedal holes in one aluminum block that threads into a standard crank arm. We also offer differing length crank arms, and a DaVinci crankarm with variable pedal mounting inserts.

 CASUAL.

For those who want the clipless benefits (stiff soles, SPD and BeBop compatible) in a casual sandal format we offer LAKE I/0 sandals.

CLIPLESS SOUNDS GOOD, BUT WHAT IS THE NEXT BEST SOLUTION?

For starting out in street shoes, and adding some basics like relative foot retention and placement:

POWERGRIPS are Kevlar straps that mount diagonally across your pedal. You achieve correct foot placement by adjusting the straps’ vertical opening so that your foot ends up in the right spot upon turning your foot straight after entering. Mounts on most standard format platform pedals.

QUALITY PLATFORM PEDALS.

Most platform pedals coming on factory spec bikes are throw away quality. So, if clipless is not on your future list, get yourself some Magnesium light weight, long lasting platform pedals to mount your POWERGRIPS to or run strapless. Lots of grip, and large platform interface.

 

  

MKS has made first-rate pedals in Japan for 25 plus years. The MKS EZ pedal is really cool. All aluminum construction, stainless steel shafts, and quick release dismount fittings that work like an air chuck, offered in standard format cage
and the SPD like Cube model, making packing and transportation quicker and easier.

MKS Sylvans are available without the quick release feature.

For further counsel on your best personal application of these technologies, call Kelvin at ANGLETECH, 800 793 3038.