unfortunately still zig zaging going occasionally
- Thread starter Brad
- Start date
Hello fellow Curzbikers, I'm a new cruzer of only 3 weeks. And new to this forum. I picked up a used
q45 my first recumbent. Getting better but still wobble once in awhile when going straight and turning is a whole another story. But continue to practice and some days are better than others. After reading the post in this thread I will try adjusting my bottom boom, maybe out some and see if that doesn't help.
I've seen some post about peddles but they all jump to clip ins which I'm not in favor of yet. My feet continue to slip off quite a bit, which is quite annoying, constantly have to reposition my feet on the peddles, not sure if it's the shoes I'm wearing or the peddles themselves. They are quite smooth, is there something out there that I should be looking for that is non clip in?
q45 my first recumbent. Getting better but still wobble once in awhile when going straight and turning is a whole another story. But continue to practice and some days are better than others. After reading the post in this thread I will try adjusting my bottom boom, maybe out some and see if that doesn't help.
I've seen some post about peddles but they all jump to clip ins which I'm not in favor of yet. My feet continue to slip off quite a bit, which is quite annoying, constantly have to reposition my feet on the peddles, not sure if it's the shoes I'm wearing or the peddles themselves. They are quite smooth, is there something out there that I should be looking for that is non clip in?
chicorider
Zen MBB Master
The pedal question is one of a few Cruzbike conundrums, especially for those on the learning curve. Being clipped in feels scary. If you have to put a foot down quickly, you have to unclip first, raising the possibility that you might not get that foot down fast enough to avoid a fall. But being clipped in also provides a lot more control over the bike, since your feet will no longer be bouncing and slipping, and you can use your feet to help steer, lowering the chance of a fall (or needing to put a foot down fast). I won't go into all the options that people have found over the years because the forum archives are already peppered with this conversation. I mostly just wanted to say that the paradox you describe is real and that many people, it does get better.
Grip on pedals without retention system is largely a matter if pins. Actuall sharp screwed-in pins are more aggressive than just a smooth bump in the mould of the pedal body. A second factor is the area of contact. A larger surface offers more connection, even if the grip is created only around the perimeter of the surface. And then there is foot position. In the recumbent position it might be especially disadvantageous to place the ball of your foot on the pedal axle, as gravity will pull your food down behind the axle and around. Many riders with retention system place their cleats as far back as well, we flat pedal riders bot too rarely use the aforementioned Catalyst Pedals that are meant for your whole foot to be placed in them. Lastly pedal shape cna also be concave and convex. Concave (lower in the middle) is supposed to create more retention on MTB. I can't promise it's completely transferrable, but it seems to be at least similar. I found the Pendulum pedals by Outlier MTB quite interesting, if riden with a stiffer sole than my barefoot shoes. That might be in part because of a bonus point, though: "Stack height". The farther the contact plane is above (in our case behind) the pedal axle, the more instable the foot sits in that wobbly plane.
And a nice alternative to a fixed retention system can be a Magped pedal with additional magnetic attraction. They have versions that are flat pedals with additional magnetic retention, that can very well be ridden with normal shoes, but offer some retention with magnetic cleats. And they have ones that are purely for use with magnetic cleats. This magnetic retention can easily be broken with a sideways rocking motion that happens on its own, whan trying to put down your foot and can also be broken with a strong pull that comes automatically in a panicked situation. Threre are at least two strengths of magnet, I think two thicknesses of cleat plate for more or less magnetic reaction and you can somewhat adjust the distance. I have only gone away from Magped because I couldn't find comfortable shoes to mount cleats to.
Oh and cranks lower in relation to the seat is also good for retention, but you probably won't be changing that a lot.
And a nice alternative to a fixed retention system can be a Magped pedal with additional magnetic attraction. They have versions that are flat pedals with additional magnetic retention, that can very well be ridden with normal shoes, but offer some retention with magnetic cleats. And they have ones that are purely for use with magnetic cleats. This magnetic retention can easily be broken with a sideways rocking motion that happens on its own, whan trying to put down your foot and can also be broken with a strong pull that comes automatically in a panicked situation. Threre are at least two strengths of magnet, I think two thicknesses of cleat plate for more or less magnetic reaction and you can somewhat adjust the distance. I have only gone away from Magped because I couldn't find comfortable shoes to mount cleats to.
Oh and cranks lower in relation to the seat is also good for retention, but you probably won't be changing that a lot.
MNBentRider
Member
FWIW...the pedals I got were clip in SPDs but with a larger platform. I was used to clipping into the pedals with my previous bike, but I didn't feel comfortable doing that initially with my S40. I was able to bike fairly comfortably for several rides with just my sneakers with these larger pedals even though I wasn't clipped in. Also, my partner kept encouraging me to clip in before I thought I was ready, and in the end it went just fine, so I'm sorry I waited. But YMMV.
Well, I took the advise from here and picked up a set of peddles with pegs. Totally solved the feet slipping problem and then lengthen the bottom bracket. I definitely felt a difference, much better at going straight ( less wobble ) and turning felt more controlled, but then I wonder if it's just that I'm getting better on the bike. Either way I'll take it.
Great to hear! As I was first learning to ride my S40, I came to this forum trying to get all the tips from the experienced riders that I could find. Then I would go out making any adjustments…physical or mental…. that I had read about. Slowly but surely I
was able to ride in a straight line, uphills, and through turns. I was…and still am grateful for the advice that was shared.
I think the combination of good advice and experience gets us to where we ride without thinking about the mechanics involved and just enjoy Cruzing.
was able to ride in a straight line, uphills, and through turns. I was…and still am grateful for the advice that was shared.
I think the combination of good advice and experience gets us to where we ride without thinking about the mechanics involved and just enjoy Cruzing.
You could try changing it back so see if the improvements stay
Boreen bimbler
Well-Known Member
When I first got my S40 I used Victor DX (old school bmx) peddles with pretty good pins. On around my 4th ride I swapped to my SPD's and it all felt far more connected and under control. If your used to being clipped in I'd say try it as soon as possible.
The cruzbikes definitely have a learning curve but it comes in time.
The cruzbikes definitely have a learning curve but it comes in time.
Boreen bimbler
Well-Known Member
But I used to sell pedals so was I a peddler or a pedal'er of pedals? TBH I can't believe I spelt it that way as it's something that bugs me too. I should edit it but then none of this will make sense. I'll blame it on the fibro brain fog. At least I spelt BMX correctly.
I've paddled a paddle in the past but never peddled paddles professionally.
I should edit it but then none of this will make sense. I'll blame it on the fibro brain fog. At least I spelt BMX correctly.I've paddled a paddle in the past but never peddled paddles professionally.
Nicely done.But I used to sell pedals so was I a peddler or a pedal'er of pedals? TBH I can't believe I spelt it that way as it's something that bugs me too.
I've paddled a paddle in the past but never peddled paddles professionally.
Tuloose
Guru
I've been using Catalyst pedals on my S40 for 2 months now and I like them. I can't say if they give me a more powerful stroke as they claim but they grip really well and are comfortable. I like them so much I ordered another set for my T50. It's nice to just jump on the bike without changing shoes first. The only downside to them is the high price.
I use SPD's on my Vendetta and one advantage to clip in pedals is the ability to pedal the bike with one leg when doing slow speed maneuvers.
I use SPD's on my Vendetta and one advantage to clip in pedals is the ability to pedal the bike with one leg when doing slow speed maneuvers.
chicorider
Zen MBB Master
Good to know I'm not the only one who does that.
Tuloose
Guru
It's for whan I'm starting out on a group ride or doing any slow speed turning so I can Flintstone with one leg to prevent falling over while I pedal with the other
Gregory Carlsen
Member
I unclip one foot as well for low speed tight maneuvers. This allows being able to stabilize by touching the ground the foot. It also provides better balance control by moving the leg in or out to offset for other movements.
Note that lifting your head off of the head rest also allows for counterbalance even at higher speeds.
Boreen bimbler
Well-Known Member
Lifting your whole back and sitting up even more so. Allows you to lean the bike, keep your body upright and steer with your bum/butt.
chicorider
Zen MBB Master
All of this. For a tighter move while carrying some speed, like a fairly quick u-turn, I will stay clipped in but sit up for the turn. For slower speed tight maneuvers, such as moving through narrow entrances, around bollards, or through people on foot, I will shift into an easier, spinnable gear, unclip my left foot--the foot I put down at stops--and pedal with my right foot. If it's a mellow enough moment, I'll stay reclined. If it's a bit more complicated, I'll sit up too. Like so many things Cruzbike, this seems like a lot to remember at first, but after a while it becomes instinctual.
