Looking for advice regarding clip-in pedals...

[Pduk]

Hi all,

As above, I'm after some help from the experts. I've never had clip in pedals before so don't know much bout them, looking on here and suppliers sites there's a mahoooosive amount of options to look at.

I've kind of settled on shimano pd-ed500's after reading some recommendations on here, double sided make sense so I'm not having to spin the pedal the right way up then try and lock in, and a larger base seems like a no brainer too...for a novice like me anyway. Now seeing these are "clipless", didn't know this was a thing so got to research this also

Trainer wise, I'll be looking for some that are relatively comfy for walking in, as I can be prone to experience a rapid unscheduled disassembly of the air chamber, and unless I have a spare tube or repair kit I'm on for a walk.

Just after any advice, things to think about or consider.

One of the main questions is, are they worth it? I'm a solo leisure cyclist, trying to improve my health and enjoy being out on the bike, I'll not be participating in TDF next year or anything

Thanks in advance.

Pete

 

[Dadam]

My perspective being fairly new to clip-in pedals (I hate the term clipless, so misleading to newbies). Someone more experienced will be along shortly.

I have double sided SPDs on my road bikes but not on my other kinds of bike. Not tried road type pedals with the plastic cleats.

I like the feeling of security, no chance of slipping off when wet, and the ability to put more power in on climbs.

I'm still a bit nervous of them for low speed manoeuvring and especially round traffic so tend to unclip a bit early when approaching junctions. I also sometimes can't quite get clipped in when setting off for quite a few pedal rotations.
I don't use them for commuting for this reason.

Only got one pair of shoes. They're ok to walk in for short distances but wouldn't want to wear them as "normal" shoes. A bit too stiff and the cleats still scrape on rocks and gravel, potentially damaging them. They also can accumulate mud in the cleat which can interfere with clipping in.

 

[Dadam]

I would not want to walk a mile or more in my SPD shoes. But regardless of shoes or pedals definitely take a small repair kit: multi tool, pump and tube.

 

[Dadam]

I've managed not to have a "clipless moment" and fall off yet. Nearly on a couple of occasions like one time approaching an uphill T junction, unclipped the left foot to put that down, then had a sudden wobble to the other side and had to "emergency unclip" in about half a second.

 

[Alex321]

You need to get MTB shoes if you want to be able tp walk far in them, so that the spd cleats are recessed. My previous shoes were like that, and I have walked as much as 4 miles when I had an issue I couldn't fix at teh roadside. I wouldn't like to do in my current shoes, which are road shoes that had the option of SPD cleats. Smooth soles, with the cleats protruding.

I would say if you are doing any significant amount of cycling, then they are worth it. They just make your feet feel more secure on the pedals.

They won't make much actual difference to your performance, unless youare an elite level rider, they just feel better.

 

[mickle]

Dont bother. Spend your money on some decent puncture resistant tyres.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

I'm still using my 19 years old Time ATAC XS Carbon MTB pedals on my electric gravel bike, the brass cleats bought at same time just about still work on the same age dog-eared shoes (I have newer shoes and boots with their own brass cleats fitted).

 

[wafter]

I also sometimes can't quite get clipped in when setting off for quite a few pedal rotations.

While this may just be a case of getting used to them, consider that this might also be a sign that the cleats aren't positioned correctly to allow your feet to rest where they want to on the pedal. Since changing the position of mine I've found clipping in a lot easier and more intuitive..

You need to get MTB shoes if you want to be able tp walk far in them, so that the spd cleats are recessed. My previous shoes were like that, and I have walked as much as 4 miles when I had an issue I couldn't fix at teh roadside. I wouldn't like to do in my current shoes, which are road shoes that had the option of SPD cleats. Smooth soles, with the cleats protruding.

I would say if you are doing any significant amount of cycling, then they are worth it. They just make your feet feel more secure on the pedals.

They won't make much actual difference to your performance, unless youare an elite level rider, they just feel better.

All good points; however I'd temper that with the caveat that they're better once properly setup - which can take some time. Conversely by not allowing your feet to naturally find where they want to be on the pedals they can give rise to a lot of discomfort / pain if you're forcing them into a sub-optimal placement.

 

[Windle]

They are definitly worth having once you get used to them, you should feel more confident having your feet properly attached to the bike. I'd second the MTB shoes, and there are many that aren't much different to trainers / walking shoes. The best advise for starting is make sure you wind the tension off so it's easier to clip in & out, and should a mishap occur, your shoes will detach from the pedals easily. As Wafter said, setting them up properly is essential, though not terribly difficult.

 

[Dadam]

While this may just be a case of getting used to them, consider that this might also be a sign that the cleats aren't positioned correctly to allow your feet to rest where they want to on the pedal. Since changing the position of mine I've found clipping in a lot easier and more intuitive..

I've tried a few different positions but I think I'm just not used to having the same consistent foot placement with flat pedals, or maybe I'm used to shifting foot position on the fly, often without conscious though.

Slightly related, I have size 12 feet and certain cleat positions make toe overlap much worse. I didn't use to experience toe overlap, probably as it was easier to just shift my foot temporarily.

Minor rant: why don't the bigger frames have a longer wheelbase?? It's silly having the damn wheel so close to your feet

 

[Sharky]

They are worth it. I've had clips, then clipless all my adult cycling years and once set up, they keep your feet secure and the foot position is constant on the pedal, no minor variations.

You can of course pull up on the rear of the pedal rotation. Useful when getting to the top of a very steep hill. But pulling up all the time uses more energy than the benefits achieved.

When searching for pedals/shoes, look out for combo deals, including shoe plates. And make sure the shoe plates give some degree of float, so reduces the need to get the shoe plates position exactly correct.

Good look.

 

[si_c]

Slightly related, I have size 12 feet and certain cleat positions make toe overlap much worse. I didn't use to experience toe overlap, probably as it was easier to just shift my foot temporarily.

Minor rant: why don't the bigger frames have a longer wheelbase?? It's silly having the damn wheel so close to your feet

I don't have any issues with toe overlap with my shoes (size 13s) on any of my bikes - the wheelbase isn't huge either at ~1040mm. Which bike do you have biggest issues with?

 

[si_c]

@Pduk if you want to ride in trainers (perfectly reasonable) then I find flat MTB type pedals to be the best. The one's you lined above are for clipless MTB shoes and so need a cleat on the bottom of them. You can use them for riding in regular shoes but it's not a good for anything more than a roll down to the shops - even a little bit of moisture will make your feet slide off.

A better choice would be something like DMR V11s - they are a flat pedal with pins in which hold your shoes and don't let them slide around. I find them very good as does Mrs C who uses them on her MTB.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Hi all,

As above, I'm after some help from the experts. I've never had clip in pedals before so don't know much bout them, looking on here and suppliers sites there's a mahoooosive amount of options to look at.

I've kind of settled on shimano pd-ed500's after reading some recommendations on here, double sided make sense so I'm not having to spin the pedal the right way up then try and lock in, and a larger base seems like a no brainer too...for a novice like me anyway. Now seeing these are "clipless", didn't know this was a thing so got to research this also

Trainer wise, I'll be looking for some that are relatively comfy for walking in, as I can be prone to experience a rapid unscheduled disassembly of the air chamber, and unless I have a spare tube or repair kit I'm on for a walk.

Just after any advice, things to think about or consider.

One of the main questions is, are they worth it? I'm a solo leisure cyclist, trying to improve my health and enjoy being out on the bike, I'll not be participating in TDF next year or anything

Thanks in advance.

Pete

When first learning with them, find a place with plenty of lamposts. If you then find yourself stuck in them you can balance on the lampost whilst you wrestle your way out!

 

[All uphill]

Just to give an alternative point of view...

I like to keep things simple and am not interested in speed, so I ride my bike in normal clothes, normal shoes on flat pedals. I don't recall ever having slipped on the pedals.

Why would I risk even one clipless moment by changing?

Edit: I use large flat pedals that suit my large flat feet.