It has to be said: I've ridden a road bike before, when so-called cage pedals were still the norm. Metal struts nestled more or less tightly around the toe of the shoe and over the back of the foot; the foot was lashed to the pedal with a strap. These pedals were given a touch of exclusivity when the cage was shiny chrome-plated or even gold-coloured and the strap was made of fine leather. Admittedly: I have always shied away from the ultimate in firm grip on the pedal. The plate with the crossbar, which hooked into the pedal cage when the strap was fastened, never really appealed to me - the idea of being inextricably linked to the bike in the event of a fall was too unpleasant.
Invention of the clipless pedal
The invention of the clipless pedal by Look at the beginning of the 1980s was therefore a revelation and, so to speak, an order to buy: Finally, a kind of safety binding for cyclists that promised a firm grip on the pedal and at the same time quick release - at least after a certain familiarisation period, but that's another story.
The success of the Look pedal attracted a number of competitors who introduced their own systems, which are now long forgotten, including shoe manufacturers such as Adidas and Puma and many others.
Evolutionary leap: Speedplay pedals
The next evolutionary leap - for me - came with the introduction of the Speedplay pedals: a kind of reversal of the Look approach, in which the pedal engages with the plate on the shoe rather than the plate on the shoe. Advantage 1: The pedal can be used from both sides. Advantage 2: The metal plate makes the cleat extremely wear-resistant. Advantage 3: The lateral freedom of movement of the foot can be adjusted individually and over a wide range using grub screws. Advantage 4: The pedals themselves practically do not wear out. Advantage 5: The pedal surfaces are flat and large enough for a round of bread rolls or a beer garden with normal shoes. Advantage 5: The lollipop-shaped pedals look cool.
No joint problems
My oldest pair of Speedplay pedals is probably now more than 25 years old. They still turn perfectly and (almost) without bearing play. The plastic body is a little worn, which makes the foot tilt a little more sideways on the pedal, but you only really notice this if you provoke the tilt; it is not noticeable during normal pedalling. My knee and ankle joints have never complained in any way that could be attributed to the pedals, at least not in 25 years. In any case, I am pretty sure that I will never ride any pedals other than Speedplay in my life as a road cyclist.
Thomas Musch
Publisher
