Pedal clips for recumbents

[ColoBiker]

I had a recumbent (RANS V-Rex) for 25 years. Recently switched to an e-bike and discovered I have slight balance issues, which resulted in several minor crashes. So I got myself a recumbent (tadpole) trike: a used hp Velotechnic Gekko fx. Decided that was too much work so I put a motor on it. That works great!

Problem: my clips are worn and they don't hold my shoes reliably. I've slipped off the pedal several times, which is very dangerous on recumbents. I need to fix this before I ride over my leg and break it. I don't really want a new set of clips -- I'd rather not need special bike shoes.

I need something that prevents me from falling out of the pedal. The only things I can find are straps that go over your foot (doesn't prevent falling out), toe clips (useless for this need), etc. Does anybody know of something that would work? Maybe something that cradles my heel?

Gary

 

[Brendon@OEB]

Hmm, you want foot retention but don't want toe cages and straps?

Something with heel retention like this?

Google Image Result for https://www.sefiles.net/images/library/zoom/terratrike-strapped-heel-support-pedal-312623-1-11-1.jpg

 

[ColoBiker]

Yes, that's the idea! I like the TerraTrike Comfort pedal, except it has nothing holding your foot in the "stirrup." Seems like your foot could bounce out if you hit a good bump. The TerraTrike platform pedal looks solid, if a bit overly heavyweight, but 3x more expensive, ouch!

 

[Brendon@OEB]

There are pedals out there with heel retention that are used by folks that have motor control issues. You'll see them on exercise equipment in PT settings. Those usually have the same pedal spindle threads as most bikes so adapting them to a tadpole trike is the same as installing any pedal.

 

[Brendon@OEB]

JBI - Product Details

www.jbi.bike

Any bike shop with a J&B account can get those

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Yes, that's the idea! I like the TerraTrike Comfort pedal, except it has nothing holding your foot in the "stirrup." Seems like your foot could bounce out if you hit a good bump. The TerraTrike platform pedal looks solid, if a bit overly heavyweight, but 3x more expensive, ouch!

My friend who only rides recumbent bikes uses "traction pin" platform pedals (such as Crankbrothers Stamp) and good cycling shoes such as Adidas FiveTen Freerider Pro.

 

[ColoBiker]

Thanks Stefan, but I want more than friction. I've fallen out of my pedals before and narrowly avoided serious injury. I wasn't going very fast, so I was lucky and just got a deep bruise on my calf. I'd rather be securely attached to the pedals. And I'd prefer to not need special cycling shoes. I'm riding an e-trike so I really don't need the extra bit of efficiency you get from stiff shoes.

 

[gromike]

It sounds like you need heel retention, as Brendon linked.
Just seems to me, that whatever you do, you need a quick and safe pedal free foot. It helps if you've ridden clipped in before. Falling over at a stop hurts a heck of a lot more than it used to.
I'd research all the other ways pedals are held to the foot and see what you think works best. Damned the money, one fall costs much more.

 

[ColoBiker]

Yes, I rode clipped in on my 2-wheel recumbent for many years. Never especially liked it, fell over a few times, but it worked. But I'm not worried about falling over now -- I'm on a trike now. I'd have to roll it before it was a problem. I'm much more worried about falling out of my clips.

@Bbrendon@OEB, that pedal looks perfect. It looks like you mount it on TOP of an existing pedal?