Weight Weenies

Calling Keywin users. I have a question for you.

I understand that unclipping requires an outward heel movement. And that clipping in is the reverse - an inward heel movement.

Des this mean that if you unclip just enough to free the cleat from the pedal, you can apply a reasonable amount of downward pressure to the pedal without clipping back in (because clipping in requires a lateral movement)?

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Mostly. The downward pressure tends to rotate your ankle in, which causes a clip in.

Agreed. I have 3 pairs.

I wouldn't stress too much about clipping in and out with Keywins. Within a few rides it will become second nature and after a few years on them it doesn't even occur to me that the way to clip in or out is anything but normal.

I'm not too worried about unorthodox clip in/out movements - I run Podios at the moment, so I'm used to a horizontal clip in/out movement, rather than a downward movement of the heel. I'm more interested in whether it is feasible to disengage the cleat from the pedal with a small outward horizontal movement of the heel, and then hold the heel still and be able to apply downward pressure on the pedal without re-engaging. This is something I can do with the Podios, and I'm interested to replicate in another pedal system as the Podios are not in production any more and I'm running out of supplies. With most other Look-based pedals, it seems to me that downward pressure will re-engage the rear of the cleat into the pedal.

Greg,

Yeah, I suppose if you make a conscious effort to keep your heel rotated outboard, you could step down without re-engaging the cleat. They are pretty simple pedals to use.

Chris

Thanks guys! Looks like Santa may be lined up to deliver to me something from NZ...

Keywins have a big platform and big cleat which combined with the ability for the cleat to sit over the engagement hook without locking in means you will be fine.

Retention is by way of a clip molded into the rear of the pedal like a leaf spring. The lip of that clip can be cut away a little if you want to reduce disengagement effort or make partial engagement easier. A friend who wanted a really light release action did that successfully. OK to experiment as replacement pedal bodies are available individually, as with any other parts.

These pedals can also come with a "track pin", which is a push/pull lever at the bottom outside that fixes the cleat to the pedal. If you think horizontal foot movement may be an issue for you, this option would definitely solve that, while still retaining the CRM float feature.
But then, you'd have to reach down to unclip each time...!

I just went for a ride and tested this. Thought it should work but the engagement is so easy that I wasn't sure.
Can put plenty of force in while disengaged, though it feels a bit funny holding my foot at an angle. So yes - they will allow what you're requesting. I use the carbon model, CRM would be the same.

As it happens I'm a Keywin dealer in NZ if Santa needs any help [/shameless self promotion]

Postscript:

I ordered the Keywins - carbon Tis - from Keywin n NZ. 2.5 days from Auckland to London was v impressive. Amazon.co.uk to London can take longer than that.

Pedals feel really nicely made. Super light too. A quick play suggests I should be able to hold a position that permits full downward force without clipping back in fairly easily.

However, all that will have to wait. Because earlier this week I rolled my ankle during a run, and broke a bone in my foot. Min three weeks before I'm allowed back on a bike, min 6 to walking normally.

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