Does (platform) size really matter?

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Anonymous's picture
Anonymous

My local shop said I should get a pedal with a platform for more comfort on longer rides (less foot pain and numbness). A longtime cycling friend said that's ridiculous--a platform doesn't make any difference when you're clipped in. Frankly, I get pain and numbness on my current pedals with toe-clips, so I'm afraid of having MORE pain and numbness.

Does it make a difference? Thank you.

Anonymous's picture
"Chainwheel" (not verified)
Pedals

"You couldn't go wrong with something like the Shimano M515 or M520 pedals. They are double sided (so you don't have to worry about flipping them over) and have adjustable tension. With the cleats recessed in the shoe, walking will be no problem.

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/penncyclebuy/676-212.html

Start with the release tension set at minimum. But make sure the cleats are bolted tightly to the shoe. And re-check them after the first couple of rides. If they loosen, you won't be able to unclip.

Your friend is right; no need for a platform type. As long as your shoes have a good stiff sole, you shouldn't have foot problems.

Practice on a nice quiet street or parking lot until you get the feel of clipping in/out. Then for the first couple of rides, really concentrate on unclipping BEFORE you stop for red lights and such.

""Chainwheel""

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Anonymous's picture
sisimpops (not verified)
many thanks

Thanks for the advice!

Anonymous's picture
Peter Storey (not verified)
"But watch that ""if"" . . ."

"""Your friend is right; no need for a platform type. As long as your shoes have a good stiff sole, you shouldn't have foot problems.""

Agreed. If your shoes have good stiff soles. The better (ie more racing-oriented) MTB shoes do. So do the Shimano touring models. But a lot of the hiker/biker multi-purpose MTB shoes do not.
"

Anonymous's picture
jk (not verified)

".

""Your friend is right; no need for a platform type. As long as your shoes have a good stiff sole, you shouldn't have foot problems.""
Agreed. If your shoes have good stiff soles. The better (ie more racing-oriented) MTB shoes do. So do the Shimano touring models. But a lot of the hiker/biker multi-purpose MTB shoes do not.

This is not correctly true. Stiff soled shoes cause or make worse the problems that they are meant to eleviate. Make sure that the shoe fits you well. A flexy sole with a pedal like SPDs can cause problems and pain on the road. Stiffed soled shoes are best for this pedal type on the road.

When choosing a pedal for the road, large platforms are best able to distribute pressure and power.

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Anonymous's picture
jk (not verified)
Platform Size

To some extent, platform size does matter. I know many riders who get foot pain on long rides. A good road shoe coupled with a large paltform pedal can distribute the pressure of pedaling better then a small platform pedal. A road shoe with a stiff sole can eleviate many problems. Mountain bike shoes just don't really cut it for the road, even though many people mainly use them for the convenience of walking off of the bike. The soles of mountain bike shoes are ment to flex more than a road shoe. Make sure that the shoe, whatever it may be, properly fits your feet, grips your heel, and that you can wiggle your toes. Couple this with a good large pedal platform, Shimano, Time, Keywin, etc., and many of your pedaling pains will be eleviated.

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