Do I Need New Cargo Bike Pedals?
To my knowledge, there is not a company that makes specific cargo bike pedals. But you may want to consider your choice on pairing your shoes to your pedals.
So… which comes first, the shoes or the pedals?
Match Your Shoes to Your Pedals
Our goal is not to buy new stuff, it is to make sure the stuff you have will work with your cargo bike. Just like with saddles not requiring you to get a new butt, your preferred shoes just may need a new pedal to match to.
Shoes
We wear different shoes throughout the year: flip-flops (or thongs perhaps), snow boots, fancy dress shoes, athletic shoes, etc.
Weather, events and other requirements will change what we wear on our feet.
For this next few minutes, keep your most versatile shoes in mind… the ones that you wear many days of the week. Those are the shoes to have in mind as we jump straight to pedals.
Pedals
There are a few kinds of pedals to discuss. But, we are not going to.
Why?
Because cargo bikes are for mixed use, which means that the whole trip needs to be considered, as that often includes being on our feet.
Flat Pedals
There are two types of flat pedals and a bonus type to discuss that make a difference to you. We will call them:
Mountain Pedals
These are flat pedals with pins that stick up out of them. The pins are there to prevent your foot from slipping off. So in rain or snow, these are likely more grippy. And they love shoes that have a softer bottom to them. The pins sink right in and really hold your shoe nicely. These are from PNW and illustrate exactly the idea.
- More durable
- Can damage some shoes
- Have big gaps for dirt (and snow) to fall through
- Won’t work well with leather/hard bottom shoes
- Better for softer shoes
City Pedals
These are flat pedals usually without pins. These pedals are sleek and less complex. For dressy shoes and flats, these are a better choice. There are some with grooves, bumps and rubber that can increase the grip for certain conditions.
- Compatible with all shoes
- These can get slippery in wet conditions
- Better for fair weather riding
Huge Pedals
The jury is still out, but these may be the ideal cargo bike pedals. They are gigantic, so more of your foot is on the pedal, so you will have better grip. And they engage more muscles for better power.
- Better for softer shoes
- More expensive than most pedals (and you are supporting a very cool little company)
- The science is pretty dang solid
These pedals come from Colorado, by a guy named James. I talked to James on the phone a few years ago and he is AMAZING. If you want more information, check them out at Cycling Innovations website.
What were those other pedals? Okay, fine. There are pedals made to attach to a cleat that is screwed to your special shoes. It allows you to pull up on the pedal to get more power. They are called clipless pedals. As in, you can pull up on the pedal and there isn’t a clip to hold your shoe in place. These are what all the Tour de France racers are using. Most of them are not comfy to walk in, let alone work/shop/eat ice cream. So yeah, that is the end of this discussion.