John Benenate

Are there any MORE EXPERIENCED track racers than Mike
Murray?

John Benenate
Directeur Sportif
Cyclisme Racing Programs
b.i.k.e.
--- NW Cyclist wrote:

> So let's hear from more of you experienced track
> racers, what are you using
> for a pedal/cleat system on the track ? What IS
> working for you and what
> has NOT worked ?
>
> JD
>
>
> On 4/13/08, Mike Murray
> wrote:
> >
> > I'd have to disagree with a couple of John's
> points:
> >
> > 1) For racing at the track you want a shoe and
> pedal combination that
> > NEVER comes unclipped accidentally. I have seen
> many accidents caused by
> > inadvertent detachment of the shoe from the pedal
> (even with clips and
> > straps). I have never seen an injury directly
> because of a failure of the
> > pedal to release in a fall. Some riders use
> pedals that have an SPD or
> > other clip in mechanism AND straps on top of that.
> Some people have
> > actually bolted the shoes to the pedals, although
> this is really only
> > practical for top level timed events and sprints.
> >
> > 2) Mountain bike pedals are designed to release if
> a foot needs to be
> > dabbed. They should be avoided at the track.
> >
> > 3) A shoe with no cleat used in a toe clips and
> straps pedal is OK for
> > training classes but should not be used for
> racing. There is no rule
> > against it but I think it should be avoided.
> >
> > 4) Although mass start track racing is more about
> spin and less about
> > strength a softer flex shoe is inadequate. Track
> specific shoes tend to be
> > stiffer than road shoes.
> >
> >
> >
> > Mike Murray
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > *From:* obra-bounces@list.obra.org
> [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] *On
> > Behalf Of *john
> > *Sent:* Sunday, April 13, 2008 14:29 PM
> > *To:* My Stretchy Pants; 'OBRA list'
> > *Subject:* Re: [OBRA Chat] Shoes for Clips at
> Alpenrose
> >
> > Robert,
> >
> > http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_cl.html
> > A cleat can be for Toe-and-Clip pedals or for
> Clipless pedals.
> >
> > Match sprinters use toe and clip usually double
> straps. Since match
> > sprinters are usually pretty strong, i don't think
> roadies debate clip
> > versus clipless with them.
> >
> > However for mass start omnium events, clip-less
> pedals are fine, and
> > probably preferred since they release without a
> struggle or without having
> > to reach down and loosen the strap. Probably a
> majority of track racers
> > that race omnium events including the pros use the
> same Clipless pedals and
> > thus same shoes as on their road bike.
> >
> > If you concerned or if you are accidentally
> pulling out with clipless
> > pedals then they aren't adjusted correctly or you
> need pedals that offer
> > more free rotation before release. By far the
> most secure pedals i have
> > ever used were TIME mtb pedals, or Eggbeaters (the
> "two bar" type pedals,
> > LOOK too now..), large float, they unclip easy but
> over at quite a large
> > angle so never accidentally released. . My issue
> with them though is
> > undefined and small pedal to shoe interface.
> >
> > If you are going to use Toe-and-Clip pedals with a
> slotted cleat, since
> > there is no float or rotation, You must get the
> cleats aligned properly,
> > preferably professionally or you will most likely
> hurt your knees. But even
> > then, In the old days the shoes were fairly sloppy
> and so probably saved
> > knees. if i recall correctly, As cycling shoe's
> heel cups stiffened, knee
> > injuries increased. Depends on what sort of
> rotation you foot likes to do
> > through a rotation. I had no issues when i first
> started on toe and clip
> > pedals and a cleated slot shoe. But if i tried to
> go back now, i for sure
> > would have issues...
> >
> > If you are going to use tennis / running shoes
> with Toe and Clip Pedals,
> > it is rare but there is nothing wrong with this.
> Mass start Track racing is
> > more about high spin speeds and thus low forces,
> so high shoe stiffness is
> > not as critical as in other types of bicycle
> racing.
> >
> > 1. You want a clean no frills shoe with minimal
> tread (or remove with
> > grinding wheel Wire Brush..) Something that
> cleanly and easily goes into
> > the clip pedal. Stiff thin outer sole if you can
> get it, or you could maybe
> > even find a stiff insole.. Err or you can do like
> did once with a fibrous
> > insole... work in some fiberglass epoxy... thin
> and fairly stiff. .
> >
> > 2. And Pedals (if using a running shoe), you want
> probably almost a
> > platform pedal that takes strap and clip. You
> want surface area, not a thin
> > plate pedal as for a slotted cleat. You want to
> push with the ball of your
> > foot and you want a nice flat surface to do this
> on..
> >
> > Keep in mind with Clip and Strap pedals, they
> might stick out a little
> > further and you thus you have to be a little more
> mindful of clipping the
> > Alpenrose banking at slow speeds. Also tuck in
> laces. Also since the
> > races are short , the pain is short if for example
> the strap is digging into
> > your foot.
> >
> > Check out Next Adventure and City Bikes, the
> latter usually has a nice
> > collection of used shoes and pedals for cheap.
> For sure there are still
> > purposely built toe and clip shoes for match
> sprinters. bike central ..
> > Probably the most cost effective clipless pedals
> are the three hole Look
> > Style. Not that i like them. Just make sure you
> replace the cleat when
> > worn. I use to use shimano SPD pedals a lot
> (cause i like walkable shoes
> > for commuting) But seemed to have issue with
> accidental release here and
> > there.. and then once they didn't release until
> after my leg snapped. So
> > not a fan anymore of Steel on Steel pedal to
> cleat.
> >
> >
> >
> > *My Stretchy Pants *
> wrote:
> >
> > I've heard that at the track, clips are preferred
> over cleats, and have
> > a set of clips for my track bike. But what sort of
> shoes do I stick in
> > the clips? Tennis shoes? Standard cycling shoes
> without the cleats? I
> > tried using chuck taylors in the clips on a hill
> and thought for a few
> > weeks after that I may have broken my foot.
> Clearly, sneakers were the
> > wrong choice. Is the clip v. clipless question an
> important religious
> > matter, regularly debated, like optimum spoke
> count? Is there a purpose
> > built shoe experienced track racers use with
> clips?
> >
> > Robert Synak
> > _______________________________________________
> > OBRA mailing list
> > obra@list.obra.org
> > http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> > Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> >
>
=== message truncated ===>
_______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>

____________________________________________________________________________________
Be a better friend, newshound, and
know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ