Path: news.eternal-september.org!eternal-september.org!.POSTED!not-for-mail
From: AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org>
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.tech
Subject: Re: Catalyst Pedals?
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2025 20:21:58 -0500
Organization: Yellow Jersey, Ltd.
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On 4/24/2025 6:49 PM, Ted Heise wrote:
> On Thu, 24 Apr 2025 13:58:18 -0500,
>    AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:
>>   On 4/24/2025 1:36 PM, Zen Cycle wrote:
>>> On 4/23/2025 7:57 PM, Ted Heise wrote:
> 
>>>> In looking for solutions, I also came across something caled
>>>> Catalyst Pedals.  They are platforms that are larger than
>>>> most and also have pins to aid grip between shoe and pedal.
>>>> The main benefit is ability to wear optimal athletic shoes.
> 
>>> There is a large selection of platform pedals available on the
>>> market today. Most of them would suit your needs, I suspect
>>> the point of the larger version you linked above is that it
>>> gives a larger target for riding off road. If you're only
>>> going to ride on the road, most any platform with some type of
>>> 'trap' for shoe traction will do.
>>>
>>> If you're quite used to clipless, you can get nearly as
>>> efficient by changing your pedal stroke. The term is sometimes
>>> called "ankling", where you follow through the stroke with
>>> your toe pointed down (aka "6 o'clock") such that you maintain
>>> grip and can actually pull slightly at the beginning of the
>>> upstroke, while the top leg will have your toe pointed up such
>>> that you can generate power earlier in the down stroke.
>>> Another way to look at is is that you're trying to keep the
>>> pedal as close to parallel to the crank arm as possible, for
>>> as long as possible.
>>>
>>> There has also been a lot of contention regarding the
>>> efficiency of clipless vs platforms over the past few years,
>>> with some studies showing that platforms are more efficient,
>>> especially on climbs, and others showing no benefit. A lot of
>>> mountain bikers prefer platforms. There are times when
>>> clipless are absolutely the better choice (sprinting, maximal
>>> seated effort, IOW, racing). What it really comes down to is
>>> what you're used to, and what works best biomechanically -
>>> probably no real "right" answer.
>>>
>>> The good thing is that you don't have to spend a lot of money
>>> trying to figure this out. The catalyst pedal MSRP for the
>>> base model is $149. You can get a good, wide set of platform
>>> pedals from Wellgo for under $20 to experiment with. If you
>>> like it, spring for a better set. Maybe not the Catalyst,
>>> Maybe a Crank Brothers, Spank, or Answer in a color that
>>> matches your bike - all have aesthetically pleasing options
>>> well under $100 with decent quality (Andrew can probably
>>> comment on that with some authority)
>>
>>   +1 good overview and I agree.
>>
>>   I linked the Hafny $50 model popular here, which doesn't work
>>   any better than $20 models but has the light weight and spare
>>   aesthetic of the pricier Catalyst.
> 
> Thanks, both.  Shoe stretcher arrives tomorrow.  I wedged a
> carriage bolt in there last night with the big round head pressing
> against the tight spot.  It felt better riding today, so I have
> reasonable hope that the stretched shoe(s) will alleviate the
> problem.  If not, I'll definitely try some low budget platforms.
> That said, are they much different from the old Campy Leggeris?
> 

1037 and 1037a have a small tab sticking up at the outside 
edge. Guys with wide feet file that off.

http://www.yellowjersey.org/CA1037A1.JPG

-- 
Andrew Muzi
am@yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971