| Many new bicycle riders start off with a decent | | | | it refers to the new pedaling technology. |
| mountain bike. They wear ordinary sports clothing, | | | | How the clipless system works. |
| and start cycling right away. Unfortunately, they | | | | The pedaling system works by having special pedals |
| didn't know that they can save energy and ride | | | | and cycling shoes that are able to click together. |
| quicker and faster just by making a small adjustment | | | | When attached, the rider is able to transfer energy |
| to their clothing - and that is by wearing mountain | | | | on the up stroke to the bike so little energy is lost |
| bike shoes such as those provided by Shimano. | | | | during the process. |
| Shimano is a well trusted brand in the bicycling | | | | Clipless shoes and pedals are all about energy |
| community. They have been around for years and | | | | efficiency. Many riders swear that when they ride |
| the engineers know all the ins and outs of bicycle | | | | with clipless shoes, they can improve their overall |
| engineering. They have also been able to stay on top | | | | speed by 5% or more. In other words, there is a 5% |
| of technology developments and managed to design | | | | energy efficiency. If you rider short distances (e.g. |
| some great products. The Shimano pedaling system | | | | 5km), a 5% reduction probably doesn't amount to |
| (also known as SPD) is just one such example. | | | | much. However, if you are joining races or running |
| Why your pedaling is so important in your riding. | | | | distances as long as 100km, 5% can mean a huge |
| Your mountain bike, in the simplest sense, is a | | | | difference. |
| machine that helps to transfer power from your legs | | | | Note that both road and mountain bikes have |
| to speed on the trail. The component that is | | | | bicycling shoes, but they are different in terms of |
| responsible for power transfer? The pedals. On | | | | design. Mountain bike shoes have recessed clips, |
| normal flat pedals, most of the power that is used | | | | wheres road shoes have protruding clips. Many riders |
| comes from the down stroke - i.e. you are pushing | | | | who own both a mountain and road bike prefer to |
| down as your pedal. Unfortunately, most of the | | | | wear mountain bike shoes because they can also |
| power on the up stroke (pulling up) is lost. | | | | walk in them. Besides, mountain bike shoes look more |
| So a new pedaling system is invented to overcome | | | | normal if you are just out cycling casually with a |
| this problem - the clipless pedals. The clipless pedaling | | | | group of friends. |
| system is known as "clipless" because there is a need | | | | For new cyclists, a good pedaling system is a must. |
| to differentiate between the new clipping system | | | | With the feet attached to the pedals, new riders can |
| and the older toe clip system. So if you see "clipless", | | | | get a better feel of how it is like to pedal efficiently. |