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Universal Bike
Pedal to the Metal – Finding the Perfect Bike Pedal for You
While a lot of energy is put into what kind, brand and size of bike we ride a lot of people overlook one of the most fundamental parts of the machine; the pedals. Having the right pedal on your bike can make a world of difference when it comes to your comfort, proficiency and even safety.
While there are many kinds of bikes, such as road bikes or mountain bikes, pedals can be generally broken down into three main categories; platform, click in and toe clip pedals. Each has their pros and cons. Here is a break down of each pedal type so you can make a better decision on which one is better suited for you.
Platform Pedals
Most bikes are fitted with platform pedals. You are not connected by any apparatus to the pedal and are free to hop off whenever you see fit. These are universal and can be put on any bike and used with any footwear. If you are a beginner rider or don't like the idea of not being able to put your foot down quickly, then platform pedals are for you. If you're riding short distances or approach biking from a more casual viewpoint, then you don't need much more than these pedals.
Click In Pedals
In 1895 Charles Hanson developed the original system that would evolve to become today's clip in pedal, or clipless pedals. Perfected over the years by the best racers, designers and engineers in the world, the modern click in pedal require that you wear a shoe with special cleats that lock into the pedal. This connectivity to the bike allows you the most efficiency as a rider because there is less energy lost between your foot and the pedal. You can also push as well as pull the pedal in the course of a leg stroke, giving you more power and better speeds.
The issue many people have with click in pedals is that you are clicked in and it takes some effort to get out of them. While it is only a horizontal motion usually that gets you out of your pedal, when you're hauling down the road or a hill that split second it takes to get out of your pedal could mean the difference between going down with the bike or not. That is why many beginners do no feel comfortable riding in these kinds of pedals, but you'll be hard pressed to find a professional racer who doesn't.
Toe Clip Pedals
Toe clip or cage style pedals are the third kind of pedal. As the name implies, these pedals are platform pedals with cage like structures at the toe where you slide your foot in. Before click in pedals became mass-produced, these were the best options for securing your foot during riding. However, now that click in pedals come standard on many bikes and are offered in a wide variety of styles and prices, toe clip pedals have become less common.
There are advantages to using toe clip pedals though. For one, they teach and basically force you to assume a proper riding position with your feet. Also, if you're on a budget they are usually significantly cheaper than click in pedals. Finally, they are easier to get out of if you and your bike have a run in with our old friend gravity.
Which type bike pedal you use usually comes down to what kind of riding you are doing. The style or discipline of biking you're into dictates a lot about the bike you ride, the gear you wear and the components you use. Pedals are no exception to that rule. BMX riders need the freedom to move their feet around and perform a variety of tricks, so obviously they would ride with platform pedals. Road racers need to maximize their speed and power, so click in pedals are best for them. Unless something goes very wrong, they aren't going off any jumps or doing freestyle tricks. Mountain bikers also benefit from click in pedals. Being locked into their pedals helps them maintain efficient and constant pedaling while even going through some extreme terrain. However, amongst some mountain biking styles like downhill, free riding and dirt jumping platform pedals are preferred.
The style of riding you are doing will have a huge impact on your choice of pedal. If you are doing riding that can accommodate either, like mountain biking, then there are several other factors you need to consider when deciding on pedals:
Weight: If you're racing, going airborne or just want to have to deliver less power to move a heavier bike, then you need to look into the weight of pedals.
Price: Hey, it's always an issue. If you're going to pay top dollar for pedals make sure you're getting the quality, options and features that you need. If you're a world-class racer, state-of-the-art pedals are probably worth it. If your kid saw BMX bikes on the X-Games for the first time, he'll make it without them.
Mud Shedding: If you're doing your riding where dirt and water combine, then you're going to want a pedal that has open spaces built into it so mud can be pushed through. Other wise mud will build up and make your grip on your pedal tenuous.
Adjustability: Clipless pedals can have a wide range of settings, so you want to see how wide that margin is when it comes to things like tension and float.
Durability: Even the most laid-back beach cruiser is going to put some wear and tear on their pedals. You want a pedal that can stand up to the abuse you're going to dish out with the minimal amount of maintenance.
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What kind of dérailleur would a universal wildthing mountain bike use.?
I'm looking for both front and back ones. The bike has 9 gears in total (3 front, 6 back) and they look pretty generic to me, but I really don't know. The bike also has an oversized frame, if that makes any difference.
I'm guessing this is a really old bike? Finding parts for a 3x6 derailleurs are tough, and you are better off upgrading to newer low cost derailleurs that don't hurt the pocket so much.
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