Clipless Pedals FAQ

[ianrauk]

OK... When I get to the bike shop I shall have a look ..
What is the most common cleat as I've looked on the web and there seems to be several types..

Cheers..

Check out the very first post in this thread for an explanation of cleat/clipless types.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

First time out on clipless and had a mixed time of it to be honest. Got a wee bit carried away with the new bike and tried a ridiculous climb. When I stopped and tried to get going again, the slope was so steep I was lifting the front wheel off the ground trying to get moving and I had a few near things before my first full-blown "clipless moment".

However, back on the flat they were fine. The shoes are quite comfortable (Specialised Tahoes) and once I'd remembered to tighten the cleats properly, clipping in and out got easier. I only intended to take it 500 yards around the block and ended up doing 15 miles

 

[Raymonda]

After my initial crash a few weeks ago when practising in the local park I went out on the road in my boots and they were much better. I suspect that because I was on the road I was being more aware of dangers and so automatically unclipped if i was slowing down or stopping.

I was struck by one idea while pedalling along. Auto Release Cleats© - these would be electronic and so if your speed dropped below X miles per hour they would release and remain open if you tried to clip in but once your speed increased then they would activate again and be lockable. I have yet to work out how they would be powered but perhaps a button battery in the endcap of the pedals would be powerful enough or even generated inside the crank itself.

 

[DefBref]

Your problem would be clipping in with such a automatic system. You would need to get up to speed before clipping in.

 

[Raymonda]

The speed would be quite low, perhaps 2-3 mph, enough to balance and you could still put the cleats into the locking mech but it would not lock until the speed was reached.

 

[Boon 51]

First time out on clipless and had a mixed time of it to be honest. Got a wee bit carried away with the new bike and tried a ridiculous climb. When I stopped and tried to get going again, the slope was so steep I was lifting the front wheel off the ground trying to get moving and I had a few near things before my first full-blown "clipless moment".

However, back on the flat they were fine. The shoes are quite comfortable (Specialised Tahoes) and once I'd remembered to tighten the cleats properly, clipping in and out got easier. I only intended to take it 500 yards around the block and ended up doing 15 miles

Just a big block thats all..

 

[gaz]

The speed would be quite low, perhaps 2-3 mph, enough to balance and you could still put the cleats into the locking mech but it would not lock until the speed was reached.

What if I need to take my foot out to boot a car whilst still moving?

 

[MacB]

I was struck by one idea while pedalling along. Auto Release Cleats© - these would be electronic and so if your speed dropped below X miles per hour they would release and remain open if you tried to clip in but once your speed increased then they would activate again and be lockable. I have yet to work out how they would be powered but perhaps a button battery in the endcap of the pedals would be powerful enough or even generated inside the crank itself.

awesome, doesn't the mind wander when pedalling along, hopefully you realise it's also totally insane.

Decent flat pedals will do everything you ask of them, no need for cleats, clips, straps or special shoes. Oh and you can say goodbye to foot/cleat position induced knee injuries as well. Granted you may not win the TdF but then I suspect that was rather unlikely anyway.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Electromagnets in the shoes and pedals linked to a switch and/or the brakes?

Mind you, might end up with nails, screws, tin cans, bits of cars and drain covers attached to your pedals by the end of a run

 

[Raymonda]

you're right, there was never any chance of me winning anything, whether it is the TdF or Apprentice!

But it is nice to let the mind wander when you are out Mac.

I'd never though of electromagnets swl. They'd be too powerful if you could pick up a drain cover though.

 

[chrisb1357]

I have been reading this FAQ and thread for a while and still cannot make my mind up if to fit some type of Clipless Pedals to my Giant Hybrid or Not as its not a road bike.

Chris

 

[ianrauk]

I have been reading this FAQ and thread for a while and still cannot make my mind up if to fit some type of Clipless Pedals to my Giant Hybrid or Not as its not a road bike.

Chris

No reason what so ever not fit fit clipless pedals to your non road bike.
Clipless are not just for road bikes.
If you want them then fit them.

 

[Gez73]

I've got clipless on my Hybrid and use MBT style shoes with recessed cleats. They make clipless pedals for MBT's so they cover the whole spectrum of bikes. Obviously there are road specific pedals and cleats that are weight and float critical but I use SPD's with SH51 cleats and they're brilliant. Wish I'd done it sooner. You will enjoy the transformation and never look back.

 

[Boon 51]

I just tried some of them nylon toe clips today on my roadie to try and get the feeling of a proper cleat set up and I have to say you do get an improved ride with some sort of clip.. so it could be cleats for me...

 

[Falwheeler]

I've ridden clipless for years now but recently our cycle club took part in the local carnival so rode with ordinary pedals since it would be stop start amongst lots of people, never again, feet were all over the place, slipping off, awful.