Getting a Fit Kit

Begin by learning where to put your feet on the pedals. Most beginners try to place the pedal under the arch of their feet, which is inefficient and uncomfortable. If you've never used toe clips or clip-in pedals before, this is almost certainly what you've been doing. The proper placement is with the ball of your foot directly over the spindle so the power of your stroke transfers to the crank smoothly and naturally. Getting the foot into the proper position may require a minor adjustment.

Making the Adjustment

With clip-in pedals, the adjustment is to your shoes. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to shift the cleat to the right place for your foot.

With toe clips, all you need to do is make sure that the clip is the right length to guide your feet into proper pedal position. For comfort and to extend the life of your shoes, there should be a small gap between the front of the clip and the toe of your shoe. If necessary, exchange the clips that came with the bike for ones that fit correctly. If you can't get the right size, you can make a slightly too large one fit by taping a piece of foam inside its front end.