How To Get Peloton Shoes Off Bike (The Correct Way)

You may be reading this and wondering why anyone would need an entire article devoted to helping you take some shoes off but you’d be surprised at just how tricky it can be to unclip Peloton shoes.

You’ve probably all seen the commercials on TV but for those of you wondering what makes Peloton so special, they’re the leading brand in indoor cycling equipment.

Peloton offers the highest quality gear and world-famous live workout routines taught by professionals. Now, with all of these benefits comes a hefty price tag but clearly, the asking price is well worth it otherwise Peloton wouldn’t be as popular as they are.

We’re here to talk specifically about the Peloton shoes that are required for a Peloton bike though as they can be a little confusing to grasp when you first open them up.

As a side note – Peloton bikes take up a lot of room so if you’re pressed for space then check out our guide on the best exercise bike for small spaces.

So, read on and you’ll be unclipping Peloton shoes like a pro in no time.

Do I Need Peloton Shoes?

In order to ride on a Peloton bike, you’ll need special cycling shoes to fit the Peloton bike pedals. They should be either Look Delta or SPD-SL, which means they have the 3-hole cleat design.

However, Peloton doesn’t necessarily require you to use peloton brand shoes. Instead, you can go for the brand that fits you best and doesn’t cost you too much.

For instance, there are users with wider shoes than Peloton has on offer, and Peloton are known for their sky-high price tags so you’ll want to find a bargain where you can.

The reason Peloton pedals require a specific pair of shoes is because of how thin they are. If you’re just booted up in your 3-year-old, battered running trainers then you’ll find it a whole lot harder to get the most from your Peloton bike.

Clipping In And Cleat Installation

If you want to know how to get off the bike then it seems only right to know how to get on.

1. Firstly, straddle your Peloton bike.
2. Then, place one foot on the foot pedal side that bends upwards and point the “nose” of the foot into it.
3. After that, drive the Look Delta cleat into the upwards-bent portion of the pedal before it clicks or clips in.
4. Finally, repeat with the other foot and once one foot is clipped in, you’ll find it a lot easier to sit on the seat and then clip in the other foot so you’re properly attached.

Clipping Out Of Your Peloton: A Step-By-Step Guide

1. If you’re having trouble unclipping from the Peloton pedal then simply slide out of your shoe so you can exit the bike. Loosen the Velcro straps if they’re too tight and then slide out of the shoe, starting with your right foot pedal if you’re right-footed or the left pedal if left-footed.
2. Now that you’re off the bike, get that Allen key and flip over the pedals so that they’re facing upside down. You’ll then see the pedal bolts that are fixed in a hex-shaped hole at the bottom of the pedal. You should then turn this bolt counter-clockwise using the Allen key to loosen pedal tension and in turn the grip on the bike cleats of your cycling shoes.
3. Next, try getting the shoes out. If there’s no luck at first, then continue loosening the bolts until the cleats come off the pedals. You can also tighten the pedal back by turning the bolt in a clockwise manner after the cleat and the shoe is off.
4. Then do the same for the other shoe.
5. Tighten your cleats as they are most likely loose and you don’t want the same trouble, so it’s best to correct it sooner.

Taking Off Peloton Shoes: A Step By Step Guide

1. Firstly, make sure the bike has stopped by either pressing the emergency brake (the red-colored resistance knob) or simply pedaling slower until the bike finally halts.
2. Next, turn your pedals mid-cycle, which is at a 3 o’clock angle, and kick your foot, using your heel, away from the bike. You should then be off the pedal. Then repeat the same with your other foot.
3. It’s not recommended you walk in your peloton shoes so sit beside your bike otherwise you may risk damaging your bike mat or even injuring yourself.
4. Once in the sitting position, loosen the shoe velcro or buckle so you can slide off the shoes.

The Problems With Cleat Installation

The reason so many people struggle with unclipping Peloton shoes is that they don’t fully tighten the cleats during installation.

If you’re having trouble clipping out and end up messing up your cleat installation, even more, you’ll have to start over as you’ll only make things harder for yourself.

Here’s a more in-depth look at how to properly clip in and make sure your cleats are tightened and secure:

1. Place each cleat over one of the three screw holes, you’ll fund these on the bottom of your shoes.
2. Next, you need to place the washers in the cleats’ recesses and a screw into each screw hole but don’t tighten just yet.
3. Face your cleats forward and straight in line from heel to toe.
4. After that, ensure the cleat’s center is aligned with the ball of the foot on the shoe and set the cleat as close to the inside of the shoe as the washers will fit.
5. Then tighten the screws with your 4-millimeter hex key and tie them to your shoes.
6. Now you’ll want to see if your cleats are correctly balanced so start pedaling to ensure the pressure falls in the ball of your feet and then place the ball of your foot over the pedal axle.
7. If you experience any pain in your feet or knee pain then double-check the cleats are on properly. If you do have a knee injury or sensitive knees then check out our guide on the best exercise bike for a knee injury. Over time as you use your exercise bike the cleats will start to move. One way to know if they’re loose is if you hear a noise coming from them. In which case, simply straighten your cleats and tighten the screws again to secure the cleats correctly. You’ll want to do this once every month to prevent any loosening or squeaking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of pedals does Peloton use?

All Peloton logo consumer bikes come with Look Delta pedals installed. If you need to purchase cleats (the gadget that goes on the bottom of your bike shoes to clip into the bike) to go with the bike, you’ll want to purchase 3-bolt Delta Cleats.

Why are Peloton bikes so expensive?

Pelton bikes are easily the best brand of exercise bikes on the market right now and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon. Because of this reputation, they’ve also developed a rather hefty price tag on all of their products but this isn’t unwarranted. Pelton has innovated the indoor exercise bike scene and they offer a whole lot more features than your average indoor bike such as live classes and virtual courses to ride on. If you’re strapped for cash then be sure to check out our guide on the best exercise bike under $300.

Can you change pedals on Peloton?

In short, yes. The main reason you may want to install different pedals is that you prefer a different kind of cycling shoe cleat, such as SPD.

Does Peloton come with toe cages?

The Peloton brand has toe cages, which cost $40 a pair. They’re compatible with the peloton pedals and other brands such as Exustar and Venzo toe clips are also compatible with your default Peloton pedals.

Can you use a Peloton without the shoes?

You will need the Peloton shoes to ride in. Similarly, to a spin studio and how they give you those special clip-in shoes to wear in class, the Peloton bike requires them too.

Can you use road bike shoes on Peloton?

The pedals that come packaged with a Peloton bike are a 3 bolt or 3 cleat design. So you would want to select a Road Cycling shoe that has the correct cleat design to match the cleats provided with the bike. If you’re in the market for some new road bike shoes then check out our guide on the best road bike cycling shoes.