Pedaling Innovations

Leg Suck..sucks, that is for sure, BUT
I rode my first year or two on flat pedals and never experienced it on my own. Sure, my foot fell off occassianally, but never in such way I was even at risk of loosing my leg under a trike.

But as I already mentioned, after switching to SPDs, I found that I am saving serious amount of energy, just because I do not have to focus on keeping my feet on pedals.
Therefore I see it strange to go triking with flats. And even more so, going flats with flats this big, that essetionally take away your ankle. That is one joint less that you can use to pedalstroke, just try to jump and then land on your heels! You certainly CAN do it, but...

 

Thanks for information

 

Just today I tried 'steamers' leg drop pedaling technique. That really got my hamstrings involved and amazingly set up an ankling motion allowing me to pull back and around. Heck yes I'm pedaling in circles, OK semi-circles but circles none the less! The Jacob Plates (heel catchers) provid a 9" rigid platform that works well for me and the Catalyst pedals. I am just starting with this new technique so I have a lot to learn and need more practice. With only the weight of my heels and legs gripping the Jacob Plates I can not get my feet to come off the pedals on the pull stroke. Just like being clipped in, but for me and the old 'Zak it is better. FWIW my seat and BB are pretty much level which apparently helps the dynamic here. I am super stoked that I can pedal all the way around and not be a "masher". Cheers, MAC

 

I had a stroke in 2014 and since then, I discovered that SPDs are like a medieval torture device with the pain becoming so excruciating, I was needing to stop every 2-4 minutes to put feet on the ground. I found some 'aggressively studded' mountain platforms and had my mechanic come up with rubber Heel Slings that stay up in place. Now, I can tap dance on the pedals to my heart's content, though even with the slings, I'm careful about when I do move my feet and how. Sometimes, I do miss my SPDs because of the security and I could pull as well as push, but the pain and frequent stops ruined any joy of riding post-stroke. :/

So, it's nice to see someone else who needs to be able to frequently shift foot position.

 

So basically the "studs" on the pedals sink into the shoe and become the method of being clipped in. I have boxes of expensive studded "Race Face" brand pedals...used to sell them at my bike shop. They were mostly used by mountain bikers.

 

This was my hope initially, but you still have to keep foot pressure on the pedals at ALL times or your feet would eventually fly off. Doing that is a real energy sucker. I imagine that being clipped in saves a lot energy right there. If I didn't have my "heel catchers" flat pedals would not be as efficient as clipping in.

 

Flatfoot not True I have notice that I have more energy, it does not take me any more leg pressure to keep feet onto pedals than clipless. Been riding over 1k with pedals and have NO foot drop.

 

Really great that the Catalysts' work so well for you, they are the best! First thing I did when I got the 'bent was put Catalysts' on. I even put the extra long grub screws in, but we have very rough roads out here. Thinking back it was not so much while I was pedaling hard, but coasting or pedaling lightly that my feet would fly off on the bumps. That made it impossible for me to relax and enjoy the ride. My "heel catchers" allow me to be secure, foot loose and fancy free.

Cheers, MAC

 

Thanks do understan

 

New ICE Adventure Trike owner, long time 2 wheel recumbent owner - Haluzak Horizon a short wheel base under seat steer recumbent, and of course I have ridden my share of diamond frames road, hybrid, cruisers and some mountain.

I dropped into this thread because on diamonds and on my 2 wheel recumbent, I have always used clipless pedals with lots of float because of knee issues (Speedplay pedals to be exact).
The question I had in my mind was how important was float when pedaling a trike for a person with knee issues, and my suspicion was it is the same as for any other bike type, and that seems to be the case from what i am reading here and elsewhere.

What I found interesting in this thread was this whole concept of a larger platform pedals with support for the whole foot, with enough gripping screws to avoid leg suck. The concept appeals to me as it solve the problem of knee float (in fact I view it as infinite float by just moving my feet on the pedals). Do other users concur, anyone else with experience with float and knee issues on trikes. Love to hear from your experience with trikes.

I have ordered a pair of Catalysts and they should be here early next week, I will give them a work out and compare them to pedaling with my Speedplays. I will give them a fair amount of time as I am sure it will take some getting used to and report back.

cheers,
bammi

 

Just for your amusement/entertainment, I asked the latest AI sensations OpenAI's Chat GPT and Google's Bard the question about the importance of Pedals with knee float on Recumbents for a person with knee problems, here are their respective replies:

Open AI GPT:
Pedal with knee float can be important for recumbent riders, but it depends on the individual's specific needs and preferences.
Recumbent bikes have a different body position compared to traditional upright bikes, and the angle of the rider's knee can be more acute during the pedal stroke. This can cause discomfort or even injury if the pedals do not allow for adequate knee float, which refers to the degree to which the foot can move laterally during the pedal stroke.
Pedals with knee float can help reduce the risk of knee pain or injury by allowing the foot to move more freely during the pedal stroke, which can reduce the strain on the knee joint. This can be particularly important for recumbent riders who are prone to knee issues or have preexisting knee injuries.
However, some riders may not require pedals with knee float if they do not experience discomfort or pain during their rides. It ultimately depends on the individual's needs and preferences, so it may be helpful to try out different types of pedals and consult with a bike fitting specialist to determine what works best for the rider's specific situation.

Google Bard:
Yes, pedal with knee float are important for recumbent riders. Knee float is a feature that allows the rider's knees to move freely while pedaling. This can help to prevent knee pain and discomfort, especially for riders with knee problems. Knee float can also help to improve the rider's pedaling efficiency.
There are a few different types of knee float pedals available, so it is important to choose the type that is right for the rider. Some pedals have adjustable knee float, while others have a fixed amount of float. It is also important to consider the rider's foot size when choosing pedals.
Knee float pedals can be a great addition to any recumbent bike. They can help to improve the rider's comfort and efficiency, and they can also help to prevent knee pain.
Here are some of the benefits of using knee float pedals for recumbent riders:

• Reduces knee pain and discomfort
• Improves pedaling efficiency
• Allows for a more natural pedaling motion
• Provides more support for the knees
• Can help to prevent knee injuries

If you are a recumbent rider and you are experiencing knee pain, knee float pedals may be a good option for you. They can help to improve your comfort and reduce your pain, so you can enjoy riding your bike more.

Not too shabby Huh?

cheers,
bammi

 

Catalyst pedals are the bomb! I put them on all my wedgies and have a pair on the recumbent which is my main ride. I have never used clipless so I'm not well versed on "float". The catalyst pedals are very grippy, so your foot does not move around at all unless you let off the pressure a bit and reposition them. The advantage here is you can put them wherever you like whenever you want, just not when putting the pedal to the metal, so to speak. If you just ordered them you should be getting the new "Evo" version. These have fewer studs and are lighter than the originals. I modified mine to Evo specs (almost) and with half the studs they are actually as grippy if not more so than the originals, go figure. I will be looking forward to your test ride report, I think you may not be looking back.

Cheers, MAC

 

Thanks Mac,
Good to see another Haluzak Horizon rider, I bought mine around the same time as you - '96.
Curious why you added the heel plate in addition, was it because the pedal+shoe was not grippy enough, or did you add those for additional insurance against leg suck or did you add them for foot positioning? Just curious.
Will report back on the the Catalysts once i have them and have had a few rides to evaluate them.

 

jbammi, our roads in Humboldt County are very rough and poorly maintained. The best rides away from traffic are often multi surface and adventurous to say the least. On the first Haluzak rides my feet were constantly bouncing off the pedals as I slalomed through patched and potholed tarmac, this would not due! The heel catchers allow leg/foot relaxation while navigating perilous terrain. They also place your feet in the perfect fore and aft position with zero lateral restriction. As an added benefit they always hang down ready to go, no flipping them around.


Cheers, MAC