PAP Wonders...P-E-D-A-L-S!

It's been a while since the last article but I hope this new article will be helpful for those who want to change their current pedals or try new pedals. The pedals are part of the "cockpit" of the bike - the components which connect you to the bike. This category includes the handlebars, saddle, stem and seatpost. Here is a link for an introduction to the cockpit. The pedals' purpose is to let you transfer your power to the crankset, then to the chain, then to the cogs, then to the wheel, and finally, to the ground.

What types of pedals are out there? Pedals fall into two basic categories: Flat pedals and Clipless pedals. Flat pedals are what most people (even non-bikers) know. They are everyone's first pedal and there are several advantages in using them. First, they are the easiest to use and the most confidence-inspiring. Just put your foot on it and pedal. If you lose your balance, you can easily put your foot down on the ground. Second, flat pedals are offered at a wide spectrum of price points from the most affordable to the most expensive. With flat pedals, the cyclist can use any shoe he already has - sneakers, skateboard shoes and others. Clipless pedals, on the other hand, need cycling shoes.

Example of a flat pedal. This particular example has metal studs to improve the shoes grip on the pedal.