Re: Catalyst Pedals?

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