1.
How much does the SMp weigh?
The
ENTIRE system (both cleats
and both pedals) is approximately
390 grams.
2.
How
much
weight
can
the
SMp
support?
There
is
no
rider
weight
limit.
The
cleat
is
designed
to
take
1,000
lb.
load
and
is
pronated
2 degrees,
so
it
is
physically
impossible
to
flex
outwards.
You
would
probably
have
to
take
a cleat,
put
it
in
a vise,
and
flex
it
with
a six
foot
long
cheater
bar
to
take
it
past
90º.
3.
How
does
the
SMp
retain
on
lift?
The
SMp
uses
an
adjustable
ball
bearing
detent
to
achieve
its
retention.
4.
Can the SMp be used on a mountain bike?
Yes, but ONLY for
road usage, i.e. commuting. However, there WILL
BE a mountain bike version SMp in the future.
5.
Is the SMp system difficult to install?
The
cleats are NOT difficult
to install, if the instructions
are followed. Call us if
you need assistance.
6.
Doesn't the SMp increase the Q factor?
Some
riders think because the
pedal-engagement bracket
protrudes from the inner
edge of the shoe sole,
the so-called Q factor
(stance width) is fairly
large. A shoe’s distance
from the crank arm at the
ball of the foot is 2 cm
with the SMp and about
1 cm with the LOOK system.
So there’s a substantial
2-cm increase in total
stance width.
"This
is true," says Steve Lubanski, "but
it comes across as a negative. I strongly
believe that human beings apply power down
and out, and not down and in."
7.
Won't my feet tilt to the outside during
hard pedal strokes with the SMp because each
shoe is supported on its pedal inboard of
the sole? With conventional pedals, support
is in the middle of the foot.
This is completely
untrue! SMp's cleat is designed to take 1,000
lb. load and is pronated 2 degrees, so
it is physically impossible to flex outwards!
8.
How difficult is it to put the pedal onto
the cleat when pushing off from a stationary
position - looks like quite a small object
to aim for when trying to cleat in?
It is quite easy
actually as you can see what you are doing versus
every other pedal system in the world, which
must be done by feel.
9.
On carbon cranks, if you don’t get
it right, won’t the cleat do damage
to a carbon crank arm?
The SMp system
comes with small mylar strips to cover the crank
arms until one becomes proficient using the SMp.
10.
Do you have any demo SMp?
Yes, you can try
the SMp out at Open Road Bicycle Shop in
Pasadena, CA. Sorry, no demos out of state, currently.
11.
Don't good runners land with their foot under
their centre of gravity, very close to the
centre line, effectively a Q-factor of only
millimeters?
The first big
advantage to the SMp system, is a wider Q factor.
Contrary to popular belief, wider is better.
Narrow Q factors make the bike work better, i.e.
better chain line, stiffer bb, but they do not
make the body work better on the bike.
Remember
when you used toe clips and straps? You would
every once in a while loosen the strap, and
readjust your foot back inward. Biomechanically,
the human body wants to apply power, from the
waist down, in a down & out motion, not
down & in; i.e., running, skating, etc.
Now
of course, too wide can also be a problem,
but Q factors have become so narrow and rear
wheel spacing soo wide, that many people hit
their heel on the chainstay during their pedal
stroke, and go to systems with a lot of float
to move laterally every pedal stroke. Thousands
of strokes per hour, and they wonder why they
have knee pain.
With
the bikes of today, it is almost impossible
to set your cleats, toe out, and not have to
move your heel out during the back part of
the stroke, except with the SMp.
The
person who made the Q-factor such an issue,
with a bike line named Bridgestone, now has
another line, and these bikes have some of
the widest Q-factors in the industry!
12.
During very strong and frantic sprints and
during those moments of "round" pedaling
(type of pedaling where the bicyclist pulls
upwardly with the pedal with the same effort
as when he pushes downwardly with the other
feet at the same time), it seems the SMp
cleat that is pulling, would be violently
disconnected from the pedal-crank and produce
a crash.
This is where
adjusting the bearing tension takes some time.
To slowly adjust so it is tight enough in sprinting,
but can be disengaged at a stop. A few track
sprinters are currently using the SMp with success.
13.
I'm wondering what the exact distance in
millimeters is from the center of the axle
to the top of the cleat platform? I'm trying
to figure out if I'll be able to duplicate
my exact stem height, relative to my saddle,
after lowering my saddle to compensate for
use with the SMps.
The
top of the cleat is actually
below the center of the
axle spindle by approximately
1 cm. If you ride LOOK
pedals, you will lower
your seat/stem height by
approximately 4 cm.
14.
Will there be an adapter available to use
the SMp with normal
street shoes?
Yes, in the future there
will be...
15.
I'm extremely interested in the SMp, but
am not sure if I can use them with winter
booties.
Yes,
just slit a hole in the
side of the bootie.
16 .
Time will tell if you're one more scam-arama
sucking $ out of consumers and investors.
But with that much invested in your show
display and web site, and not a single
word on whether your pedal retains on lift
(like the straps/cleats and LOOK pedals
you compare it to), you're at least devious...if
not dishonest. Signed by C. R.
(PBMC knows the
full name of this writer. March 9, 2005.)
What could we possibly
say to such a comment?
Let's
let Mr. Bridgman speak for
us:
"There
is no adequate defense,
except stupidity,
against the impact of a new idea."
