Going to give clipless another try.

[Willo]

Finally ventured beyond the patio to give my shoes a go riding up and down the cul-de-sac where I live. The new multi-direction cleats are much easier for me and, despite a couple of wobbly moments, no falling down like the previous attempt on the patio However, I still feel uneasy so was too cowardly to brave the saturday traffic, lights etc. I like being clipped in, and have no problems get clipped in when setting off. However, I have to really think about clipping out and if something else distracts me I get in a bit of a panic. Think it's gonna take some patience and some more practice for me to brave a proper ride clipped in.

 

[Randochap]

clipping in and out with spds just becomes second nature after a while

#1

Not only that, it'll feel alien not to have them. Presently, I've had to go back to quills & toe clips (w/o cleats) due to my injury.

How did we do that for decades?

 

[Muddyfox]

I am about to take the plung and go clipless next week hopefully

Once you get the hang of it you wont go back to flats Miss Pinky

Simon

 

[Chrisc]

Can we call them 'clip-in' pedals please people?

Using front or rear cleat holes? It's about how long your toes are since the ball of your foot should always be directly over the pedal spindle: Long toes = rearmost cleat holes, short toes = foremost holes.

Is that the correct name then? I never understood why we call them clipless when they patently clip.
Whatever they are I love 'em'

 

[briank]

Is that the correct name then? I never understood why we call them clipless when they patently clip.
Whatever they are I love 'em'

+1

I'm not sure which are the easiest - maybe just what you get used to.
I've used regular Looks for the last few years and just can't get Keo's to engage quite so easily. Maybe I'll get the hang of them.

As to walking, you can Look cleat covers - fit tidily in the back pocket and when you stop, pop em on over the cleats: now you can walk - well, not normally maybe but without skating around or inadvertently shooting off stairs - and the cleats don't wear out nearly so fast.

All that said, anything which keeps your foot in working contact with the pedal all the way round has to be good.

Worth working at.

 

[Banjo]

#1

Not only that, it'll feel alien not to have them. Presently, I've had to go back to quills & toe clips (w/o cleats) due to my injury.

How did we do that for decades?

Good to hear you are back on the bike even if you have to use old fashioned toe clips it must feel great to be back on the road.

I get withdrawal symptoms after about 24 hours if I cant ride for any reason.

 

[hotmetal]

I think it's a case of personal pref. Personally I can never seem to get my cleats forward enough - I like to feel the cleat right under the ball of my foot. I feel I'd get maximum power that way. But if you're trying to get used to clipless the main thing is that you feel a) confident and comfortable. When I say comfortable I mean that you can clip in and out easily enough and that the cleats are correctly aligned so your knees don't suffer from being toed in/out too much. I use pedals with plenty of lateral 'float' (rotation) because I do suffer from knee trouble. With some pure road pedals, there is hardly any float and with those, you really have to get the angle right. I use MTB race shoes, which don't look too out of place on my MTB or road bike, but which do have recessed cleats.

Persevere with clipless - it is worth it IMO.


D'Oh! Should have read to the end, I only saw the 1st post!

 

[guitarpete247]

I've also bought the lidl shoes and these. I always had Clips and straps on my road bike and never had a problem getting out of them even city riding in Cardiff when I lived there.
I've read on some forums that everyone falls off at least 3 times. I only fell with clips a couple of times and always due to being cut up by car drivers.
I've only had a couple of test rides with the release set at minimum but feel comfortable and confident I can get out. I might tighten up the release in a couple of days and then see how I get on.
The shoes and pedals are my first clipless so don't have anything to compare them to but they seem well made and easy to walk in.
Has anyone else got any experience of these pedals. Did I make a good decision. Bike Magic reviewed them highly.

 

[Banjo]

Guitar Pete the Pedals certainly look good for the price. Tempted to get some for my commuter hybrid .I like the idea that they are weighted to hang clip in side up ,

Its great being able to walk around fairly normally in the Lidls shoes.So far I have found them comfortable and user friendly on the bike.I cant understand why they are so much easier to clip in and out with but they really are.

, speed and accelleration seem to have improved over flat pedals

One of my clipless moments was due to a knobber in a car. approaching stopped traffic on a hill I slowed down to ride slowly up to the que and avoid stopping. despite me being in primary position clown decides to overtake me violently forcing himself back into the very small gap between me and the car in front.No damage or injury so I walked the bike up the pavement to the head of the que giving him a cheery wave as I went passed,well sort of a cheery wave... :-)

 

[Janrhino]

How do you lower the tension?

 

[Cubist]

How do you lower the tension?

Nice warm bath, bottle of wine ususally does the trick. (or Thai massage, but Mrs Cube can't see the theraputic bebefits)

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Some pedal systems come with a tension adjuster, usually a 2 or 3 mm allen screw on the spring clip system. Some systems don't, eg my Crank Bros Eggbeaters depend on lateral movement to clip out and in, so upward tension is immaterial.

Mickle, they are called Clipless pedals because they don't have clips and straps, the "clips" being the curved pieces that encased the toes on clip and strap pedals.

 

[beastie]

Cubist your sig has been nagging at me for week and now I have just got it, tis Pink Floyd. Nice

 

[Cubist]

Cubist your sig has been nagging at me for week and now I have just got it, tis Pink Floyd. Nice

Comfortably numb, a song so perfect that it must have been written just for me.

 

[GreenMambaGreen]

I'll agree with most of these comments

Do what feels right, but the front holes are regarded as better so they are under the ball.

It does become second nature and falling off is part of the process. No pain no gain.

I love the clipless SPD's. I found the Shimarno multi release are good and adjusting the tension on the peddles so they are easy to get in and out is good to start. then tighten as you get better or of course leave them loose if thats how you like it.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

I have ridden clipless now for several years, but the acquisition of a vintage road bike forced me back to clips. What a disaster. How the hell did we ride with such contrivences? Stick with clipless, you won't regret it.