Clipless Pedals FAQ

[redcard]

Can you ride without being properly clipped in, just resting on the pedal? For instance, you're in heavy, slow-moving traffic, I guess you don't want to be clipping and unclipping every 10 seconds.
And if you fancy a rest during a run, can you walk / stand in clip less shoes without a problem?

 

[Gez73]

I started in a pair of road shoes which I ended up not wearing for a while because the sole was solid and very smooth so I found it hard to pedal without being clipped in when in traffic or approaching a reason to unclip. I ended up buying a pair of MBT shoes with recessed cleats and I can pedal in these and walk in them too. Far better especially if new to pedals and needing to walk a little during your ride. The road shoes had the cleats totally exposed and were hard to walk even to the shed in. Try Evans for SPD compatible MBT shoes. Gez

 

[cycling cedric]

I get a hot, tingling in my toes when wearing SPD's for more than an hour or so. Was worried it was a personal problem and happy to read it could be quite common.

 

[Cubist]

I get a hot, tingling in my toes when wearing SPD's for more than an hour or so. Was worried it was a personal problem and happy to read it could be quite common.

What you need is a pair of PD A520s. SPD pedals with a platform surround that helps to spread the load of the pedals over a larger area of your shoe sole. Stiffer soles will stop you "gripping" with your toes.

 

[jim55]

Can you ride without being properly clipped in, just resting on the pedal? For instance, you're in heavy, slow-moving traffic, I guess you don't want to be clipping and unclipping every 10 seconds.
And if you fancy a rest during a run, can you walk / stand in clip less shoes without a problem?

yeah you can (suppose it depends on the pedals but most are wide enough so u can make some forward progress without being clipped in ,i do this all the time ,say im approaching lights and think i might need to stop ,unclip one side while im still rolling and still pedal (with lightish pressure,you couldnt climb or anything )to keep on going ,and if the lights change to green i snap back in and power away (well,,you know )
i use cheapo lidl mtb type shoes and spds and can walk about no prob ,i believe spd-sl are a bit harder to walk in

 

[guitarpete247]

I recently got a pair of SPD-SL R540's and replaced my M520's. I might put these on the MTB which at the moment has some of these 2 way pedals from EBC.
I have cheap Lidl shoes and some dhb R1's. The R1's have both 2 bolt and 3 bolt holes so I could use them with the 520's on the road bike.
On the 540's I have 1 stiff pedal (right) and 1 easy pedal. They were both set at minimum when I got them but unclipping from the right is getting more difficult. I might have a look at it before I go out next time if I remember. I think I'll try increasing then decreasing the tension setting to see if that works.
Anyone else have this problem?

By the way. The only clipless moment I've had was 2nd time out on the EBC pedals. I had a cleat bolt drop out and when I tried to unclip . There's still time .

 

[cycling cedric]

What you need is a pair of PD A520s. SPD pedals with a platform surround that helps to spread the load of the pedals over a larger area of your shoe sole. Stiffer soles will stop you "gripping" with your toes.

I use a pair of Diadora's with a stiff sole but they seem rather curved up to the toes and not flat like racing shoes. Maybe a bit tight, restricting blood flow, dunno, cos they are really comfortable. I only started cycling again about a year ago but I have always had to have straps even as a kid, and clipless are just so good that I can put up with the discomfort.

 

[Edwards80]

I put my Shimano M520's on this weekend and did a few short rides before doing my 1st commute with them this morning. I think i need to spout the cliché "I wish I had done it sooner". Very comfortable and I now feel less safe when I am not clipped in, which isn't what I expected after such a short time - I figured I'd be on edge for a while.

I didn't tighten my right cleat enough and it came loose on my first ride so I found it tough to unclip - lesson learnt - didn't have any moments though.

I have a pair of Decathlon MTB shoes and I can easily pedal without being clipped in if I am unsure when approaching a junction etc.

 

[Gez73]

Lidl doing bike stuff this Thursday (UK) if anyone wants to get a relatively cheap MTB shoe. They look ok on the website too. Ideal for riders new to clipless pedals and far more forgiving for pedalling if not clipped in than stiffer road shoes. Gez

 

[Talc1976]

Not yet switched to clipless pedals.
There at that many on the market.
Whats a good pedal below £50 and a good shoe that will fit that pedal ?

 

[Gez73]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/m520-spd-pedals-ec005948
I bought these about five months ago and have no problems with them. I also bought a road shoe too at the same time which I regretted as it was my first foray into clipless pedals. I eventually bought an MTB shoe as they are far more forgiving if you need to pedal whilst unclipped as you will as you become accustomed to clipless pedals. Look for shoes that have the cleat set into the sole so as not to be exposed and therefore uncomfortable to walk on. The shoes on offer from Lidl and Aldi when they are having bike promotions are also quite handy and always about £20 or less. If you purchase the pedals without the cleats these are usually on eBay for I think about £6.50 posted the seller I used to get a second pair had that many separate auctions on there, the first bid won. Shop around of course but for an entry level pedal these have been ideal for me. Let us all know how you get on. Gez

 

[Gez73]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/northwave/mission-mtb-shoe-ec029437?query=northwave mission
Here's the shoe I have been using since, not cheap but there are other options out there and they are a very comfortable shoe that you can do a bit of walking in too, if only to the shed and back! Gez

 

[Nearly there]

Just put on my m520's set my shoes up Shimano m077 been practising clipping in and out(against a wall)Ive just put the pedals on out the box so havent done anything with tension If I loosen them slightly will clipping in and out be even easier?

 

[Talc1976]

Thats great Gez many thanks.

 

[bassthatguitar]

I was really confused before I got clip less pedals :P took me a lot of internet reading to even understand the concept but they're great once your used to them much easier than straps