Suppose you have been to a spinning class. In that case, you have most likely noticed that while some people wear cycling shoes that clip in, the toe cages on the pedals make it possible to wear regular trainers too. If you are considering buying a Peloton bike, you might be wondering if the same rule applies here or if you need special shoes for the Peloton.
Peloton bikes require specific shoes as the bike is sold with pedals that have delta clips. It is, however, possible to change the pedals on a Peloton bike so wearing normal tennis shoes, or different cleats is possible.
You may be wondering how the special shoes look and work that you need for a Peloton bike. If you want to wear regular trainers while using your Peloton, you also need to know how to go about changing the pedals on a Peloton bike.
What Shoes Do You Need For A Peloton?
To use a Peloton as is, you will need to have the right shoes. These are cycling shoes with a triangular-shaped fitting at the bottom. They are known as Look Delta cleats. They allow you to clip your shoes into the bike, which means that your foot is secure while you are riding. Using clip-in shoes is not only safer for cycling, but they also help to maximize your power output.
You can buy your cycling shoes on the Peloton website, or at a separate retailer, as long as the spin shoes are made to fit Delta cleats. Here’s our favorite shoes!
It’s important to note that there are several different types of cleats on the market which can make selecting an appropriate spin shoe a bit tricky if you are not paying attention. Always ensure before purchasing a pair of spin shoes that they are made to accept the delta cleat (3 point connection).
Next, it is crucial to make sure that your shoes fit correctly. If you have never worn cycling shoes before, it is advisable that you first try a pair on in a shop to find your size.
Finding The Right Size Shoe For The Peloton
It is essential to purchase the right size shoes for your Peloton. If the shoes are not the correct size, your ride will become very uncomfortable. If you decide to go to a store to try on cycling shoes, be sure to ask for shoes with Delta attachments. These are the same attachments that your Peloton bike shoes will come with.
When buying cycling shoes, you want your shoes to fit snugly without pinching. Your toes should have sufficient room to move and should not touch the front of your shoes. The heel area should feel snug. Be sure that your foot will not slide out of the shoe while you are cycling (there should be no lift from the heel)
When you have decided on the perfect size shoe, you can either purchase your cycling shoes in a store, or you can order them from the Peloton shop as well. If you order shoes online, make sure they fit correctly when they arrive.
If you are happy with your shoe size, you can now start cycling! For first-timers, clipping in and out of the pedals might be a bit tricky. Here is how to effortlessly clip in and out of your Peloton pedals.
How To Clip In And Out Of Peloton Pedals
To clip into your Peloton bike pedals, you want to stand with your legs on either side of the bike. Then, you want to push the pedal down into the six o’clock position using your dominant leg. You can then press down on your heel, and you should hear a click, which means that you are clipped in. You can now do the same with your other foot.
To clip out of your Peloton bike pedals, you will bring the bike to a complete stop. You can push down on the resistance dial of your Peloton bike to get the pedals to a stop. Then, turn your toes towards the bike while at the same time turning your heel away from the bike. You should do this rather quickly and use enough force. This should help you to slide out of the pedals easily.
Getting comfortable with how to clip in and out of Peloton bike pedals might take a while. However, if you practice, you should be able to do it effortlessly. Should you not want to use special shoes on your Peloton bike, or if you want to use cycling shoes with a different fitting, you can change the pedals of your Peloton bike.
Modifying The Peloton So You Can Wear Other Shoes
Before you change the pedals on your Peloton bike, you should read the Warranty of your Peloton. Making changes such as replacing the pedals can influence the validity of your warranty.
If you decide to go ahead and change the pedals on your Peloton bike, you will need to buy pedals that have 15mm fitting. The pedals must fit into the crankarm of the Peloton bike. You can purchase compatible pedals from Peloton, or you could buy these at any bike shop.
We recommend these pedal cages from Amazon.
Then, you can remove the standard pedals of the Peloton bike and attach the new pedals. You will need a 15mm wrenchto do this. Ensure that the new pedals are secured before riding on your Peloton bike again.
To use a Peloton when you have replaced the pedals with ones with toe cages, you simply put your foot into the toe cage and tighten the strap. Your foot will now be secure, and you can safely enjoy riding on your Peloton. To release the straps, simply pull them in the opposite direction.
Peloton recommends checking the pedals regularly to ensure they are still working correctly. They also suggest replacing your pedals annually to keep your Peloton bike working optimally.
Conclusion
You do need special cycling shoes for a Peloton bike. While you don’t need to buy your shoes from Peloton, you need cycling shoes that fit Look Delta Pedals. When buying cycling shoes, it is crucial to make sure they fit correctly.
If you do not want to use Look Delta pedals to ride your Peloton bike, you could replace the pedals with ones with toe cages or with different cleats. This will allow you to use your Peloton with any shoes. Whether or not you decide to keep the original Peloton pedals, or change them, depends on your preference.
