Commuting on a Road Bike

[Hip Priest]

Finally, after months of trying (and one stolen bike) I have managed to get a pass for my company's underground car park. This means I can garage my slicked-up Ebay special mtb and ride in on my road bike. The funny thing is, I'm a bit apprehensive...

I only ever ride the road bike on country roads at weekends, so I hardly ever need to stop at junctions. Whereas my commute requires several stops, slow-moving traffic...etc I use platform pedals on the mtb, but on my road bike I've got clips and straps and I fear I'm going to have the odd toeclip moment!

The good news is, it can only improve my road bike handling.

 

[Moodyman]

Get rid of the clips and straps until you get comfy with your road bike geometry and handling in traffic.

Then move to clippless pedals

 

[Hip Priest]

Get rid of the clips and straps until you get comfy with your road bike geometry and handling in traffic.

Then move to clippless pedals

Daft as it sounds, it has never occured to me to take the clips & straps off. I might try it, thanks.

Santa is bringing me SPD-SLs pedals and shoes for Xmas.

 

[Moodyman]

Daft as it sounds, it has never occured to me to take the clips & straps off. I might try it, thanks.

Santa is bringing me SPD-SLs pedals and shoes for Xmas.

When you're commuting, you want to be looking up and around you, not down at your pedals and frantically getting your foot into the straps when the lights change.

If most of your riding is commuting, you'd be better off with dual sided SPD pedals - like the Shimano M520

You don't have to faff around with making sure that it's the right way around. There is very little difference in performance between SPD and SPD-SL type pedals.

 

[gaz]

When you're commuting, you want to be looking up and around you, not down at your pedals and frantically getting your foot into the straps when the lights change.

If most of your riding is commuting, you'd be better off with dual sided SPD pedals - like the Shimano M520

You don't have to faff around with making sure that it's the right way around. There is very little difference in performance between SPD and SPD-SL type pedals.

You don't have to do that with the SPD-SL. it auto balances as you unclip so that when you set off again it is in the right position.
The only time you have difficultly with clipping in with SPD-SL is if you miss the loop or if the bearings need re-greasing as it's not settling right.

 

[Hip Priest]

Cheers for the advice fellas. I've just taken my clips & straps off and blasted round the block. It feels alright and will give me much more confidence when commuting. I can always re-fit them for long weekend rides.

I'll re-read the thread on clipless pedals before deciding on my next step.

 

[Tynan]

I commuted for yonks in clips albeit without the straps, your feet learn the necessary deftness dead quick

clipless is far superior mind

 

[jonathanw]

I now commute on a cyclocross/road bike with one side SPD/one side Flat pedals after yonks on a MTB. I have SPD-SL on my nice road bik,e and once used to them they are as easy to use and you'll have no bother. I don't think I'll go SL on the commuter as it is handy to jump on it in trainers occasionally using the flat side.

 

[2old2care]

You don't have to do that with the SPD-SL. it auto balances as you unclip so that when you set off again it is in the right position.
The only time you have difficultly with clipping in with SPD-SL is if you miss the loop or if the bearings need re-greasing as it's not settling right.

That's very interesting as my spd-sl's don't auto balance, never have. Does auto balancing mean that they stay horizontal. I've been thinking of trying a different make to see if they are easier to engage. For my commute I use dual purpose spd pedals, they're flat one side and spd clipless the other, belt and braces, so if I have a problem with the cleats or pedal I can still cycle home or to work.

OOps didn't read the post above

 

[ManiaMuse]

That's very interesting as my spd-sl's don't auto balance, never have. Does auto balancing mean that they stay horizontal. I've been thinking of trying a different make to see if they are easier to engage. For my commute I use dual purpose spd pedals, they're flat one side and spd clipless the other, belt and braces, so if I have a problem with the cleats or pedal I can still cycle home or to work.

OOps didn't read the post above

Mine don't auto-balance, unless by that he means point down facing backwards all the time.

I've just about learnt the knack of flicking them up with the top of my foot and then stomping in one motion although my SPDs were easier to get into.

 

[biggs682]

i find it easier just using std flat pedals and clips or straps , as sometimes ride home in my steel toe caps if its raining

 

[gaz]

That's very interesting as my spd-sl's don't auto balance, never have. Does auto balancing mean that they stay horizontal. I've been thinking of trying a different make to see if they are easier to engage. For my commute I use dual purpose spd pedals, they're flat one side and spd clipless the other, belt and braces, so if I have a problem with the cleats or pedal I can still cycle home or to work.

OOps didn't read the post above

Mine don't auto-balance, unless by that he means point down facing backwards all the time.

I've just about learnt the knack of flicking them up with the top of my foot and then stomping in one motion although my SPDs were easier to get into.

They are designed to point up when they are not engaged. This is so when you set off all you have to do is run the bottom of your shoe over the top of the pedal, catch the front of the pedal with the loop and then push down.

 

[jdtate101]

That's very interesting as my spd-sl's don't auto balance, never have. Does auto balancing mean that they stay horizontal. I've been thinking of trying a different make to see if they are easier to engage. For my commute I use dual purpose spd pedals, they're flat one side and spd clipless the other, belt and braces, so if I have a problem with the cleats or pedal I can still cycle home or to work.

OOps didn't read the post above

I think they are supposed to balance slightly nose up, so you can jam your clip in. If they are well greased they should do this as the back part of the pedal is heavier.

 

[monnet]

With regard to going SPD or SPD SL one thing to consider is how much time you'll be in the shoes whilst not riding the bike. I ride SPD SL, have done for over 15 years. This week I've switched to commuting on SPDs as I was hammering my training shoes (not to mention the cleats) with the walk between the bike sheds and the office. WHen I was doing regular training rides after work it was worth it but now my regime has changed a bit it was becoming a false economy.

If I could ride SPD SL without wearing them out, I would. SPDs have far too much float for my liking, no matter how much I tighten them down.

 

[2old2care]

I think they are supposed to balance slightly nose up, so you can jam your clip in. If they are well greased they should do this as the back part of the pedal is heavier.

Ah it makes sense now, I have trouble engaging in the pedal maybe because the front part of the cleat isn't very open, and my foot then slips over the pedal.

I might try another brand of cleat/pedal.