Looking for advice regarding clip-in pedals...

[Animo]

OP - just get the Shimano 520s (or 540s or XTs if you want to spend a bit more). The larger platform isn't really necessary and you can't tell the difference once clipped in.

SPDs really don't take long to get the hang of and then it becomes second nature.

 

[Mike Ayling]

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

Congratulations for not calling them clipless!

 

[Profpointy]

If you get the mountain bike style rather than so-called road versions, the cleat is recessed into the sole of the shoe and they are fine to walk around in. I forgot I'd taken my office shoes home and walked around quite happily all day in the trainer like SPD shoes and my later upgrade to (admittedly overpriced) black leather Dromartis looked quite smart as well-as being comfy

The basic Shimano double sided pedals are very cheap and work well. I initially tried the half-and-half style with SPD one side and flat the other but they were always the wrong way round somehow and I didn't like them. I now have crank brothers egg beaters which are effectively four sided but their a lot more money, and their blingy titanium ones are stupid money.

I'd never go back to toe clips despite not liking the need for special shoes just to ride a bike

 

[Profpointy]

My preferred clothing is usually a three piece suit. I find it somewhat incredulous that you would think this would be appropriate for a 60 to 100 mile cycle ride. I presume you are just riding your bike to the shop.😉

I used to commute 10 miles each way in a suit; admittedly not 60+ miles but a bit more than a pootle to the shop

 

[Dadam]

Most such "moments" are attributable to a rider with insufficiently developed skills and coordination. I have never fallen over while clipped in and I put my trousers on one leg at a time like everyone else.

How are mere mortals like ourselves to develop such skills and coordination?
Not being facetious btw (well only a bit)

 

[Seevio]

I haven't had a clipless moment since I got some proper spd shimano shoes (i.e. not Lidl) When I was still able to commute by bike I was always able to unclip even if sometimes it was fuelled by sheer unbridled panic.

 

[Drago]

How are mere mortals like ourselves to develop such skills and coordination?
Not being facetious btw (well only a bit)

I have the fine motor skills of a one legged cat burying a turd on a frozen pond! To be good at anything I have to practice relentlessly.

 

[katiewlx]

SPDs (as opposed to SPD-SLs) are the way to go, Ive got the Shimano XT one sided ones with the pedal reflector, on the basis well sometimes I might want to ride my bike in my trainers or normal shoes. You know what I can clip in or out nearly instantly with them with cycling shoes, with normal footwear its such a pita in comparison, because the pedal always rests clip side up.

just roll all the tension off the clip on the pedal as you can adjust it, because when you do panic and think you cant unclip, you yank your foot or leg in any direction and it will come out.

and touch wood because of that, Ive never embarrassed myself with an unclip moment.

 

[Mike Ayling]

SPDs (as opposed to SPD-SLs) are the way to go, Ive got the Shimano XT one sided ones with the pedal reflector, on the basis well sometimes I might want to ride my bike in my trainers or normal shoes. You know what I can clip in or out nearly instantly with them with cycling shoes, with normal footwear its such a pita in comparison, because the pedal always rests clip side up.

just roll all the tension off the clip on the pedal as you can adjust it, because when you do panic and think you cant unclip, you yank your foot or leg in any direction and it will come out.

and touch wood because of that, Ive never embarrassed myself with an unclip moment.

On this morning's ride a bloke that I have known for thirty years who rides SPD said he put a new set on one of his bikes and did not check the tension. He said he just fell over gently but his hip and shoulder is a bit sore!.

 

[PaulSB]

This is going to be unpopular with some (I am putting on my fireproof suit ready for flaming) but here goes: GCN proved by testing that there was only a performance advantage to clipless over about 750W - frankly unless you get paid to ride a bike or are competing in a race there is no performance advantage.

Riders of feet forward 'bents may be more comfortable having their feet clipped to the pedals.

There are plenty of disadvantages to clipless for the non racer:

1. You will fall over at some point when something unexpected happens, especially when tired
2. Stopping and starting on hills is particularily hazardous
3. Because the cleats are relatively small the shoes need stiff soles which can result in 'hotspot' on your foot
4. Clipless limits foot movement - makes it difficult to change your foot position to relieve your knees,
5. Clipping in and out in stop/start traffic is not only a right PITA but dangerous - I have seen plenty of riders having to look down because of failing to clip in instead of concentrating on the traffic
6. Unclipping can involve a significant angular rotation of your foot which isn't ideal for longevity of joints

I am sure some folk can and will present rebuttals to all the above but just like wearing aero clothing, running gossamer thin tyres with ultra low rolling resistance, slamming the stem for a more aero position it's important to put these in context - a lot of this comes from racing.

50 years ago when I was a teenager we thought 'rat traps' were cool and fitted them to our Carltons and Claude Butlers, it didn't take long for all of us to ditch them - we all fell off at some point and the dam things always seemed to be in the wrong orientation after stopping !

I don't think it's a question of being "unpopular with some" but more that these are, to me, inaccurate statements which should be countered.

I haven't seen the GCN video but have watched many of their comparisons and I don't feel we can say much of their "research" is based on scientific fact. It's very interesting and much of it practically valid but I don't feel GCN can be said to be scientific in its conclusions. Through my club I know or have a passing acquaintance with 200+ riders, all bar one, ride clipless - we can't all be the victims of overhyped marketing. I can't dream of putting out 750W yet my direct experience over 25+ years is clipless provides several benefits:

• The foot and leg are held stable in the correct position for comfort and "performance."
• Under strain, climbing or sprinting, there is no danger of the foot slipping from the pedal
• There is no need to adjust or concentrate on foot position
• I can adjust my pedal/foot angle without fear of the foot moving. I find angling my foot upwards when climbing can be a great help

To put an alternative view, and I feel correct your points:

1. I fell off twice when learning to ride clipless since when I've never fallen off due to being clipped in. With correct adjustment one can get a foot down just as quickly as with a flat. I prefer to unclip on the left first, this quickly becomes second nature and it could be argued it is marginally safer falling away from traffic if the worst happens. Yes, I've fallen off but not because I was clipped in.
2. Simply untrue. Starting is easier on a climb as the "pushing" foot is held securely in place.
3. User error. Hotspots occur when the rider doesn't adjust the foot position correctly. If, on flats, one frequently adjusts foot position this suggests to me the rider is unsure of the correct position.
4. It's true clipless limits foot movement. This helps to keep the rider's feet and legs in the correct, stable position. Knees will only need relief if the bike set up, and therefore foot/ leg position, is wrong in the first place.
5. Using SPDs one can easily ride in traffic for miles with one foot unclipped. Yes, I have seen others with what I'll describe as road cleats struggle a little. I would think anyone who regularly rides in a busy urban environment would use SPDs for this reason alone.
6. Can you provide evidence to support this statement? I ride with friend who specialises in skeletal bio-mechanics who would disagree with your statement. A year ago I smashed my right knee in an RTC. Riding clipless holds my knee firmly in the correct position. I can ride 100+ miles with no reaction from the knee. Previously I could walk 8-10 miles over fells, moorland etc without any problem, today after 3-4 miles flat walking my knee swells and stiffens. My bio-mechanic friend and my physio agree the difference is that clipped in holds the knee in the correct and stable position, walking subjects it to several different forces as the ankle reacts to changes in the ground surface.

 

[Webbo2]

I used to commute 10 miles each way in a suit; admittedly not 60+ miles but a bit more than a pootle to the shop

I would rather wear out my cycling shorts than my suits trousers, even these that is the cheaper option.
At my last house it was 10 miles to the shop.🤣

 

[wiggydiggy]

My peddles have clips on one side and flats the other. I clips in on the road except in heavy traffic, which I don't do very often. Off road I use the flats so I can get my foot down quickly. I'm not very good at technical stuff. My mountain bike just has flats. I ride in mountain biking shoes, the other benefit of having mixed clips/flats peddles is I can still ride in any shoes.

I think I'm going to change to them, simply as I feel a bit silly putting special shoes on to cycle to the shop. That said it's less than a mile and I more often walk than ride!

 

[Alex321]

I think I'm going to change to them, simply as I feel a bit silly putting special shoes on to cycle to the shop. That said it's less than a mile and I more often walk than ride!

I almost always ride to the garage/shop when I go down for the newspaper, even though it is only half a mile.

And I do use my cycling shoes - but it takes no longer to put those on than to put on a pair of trainers - I don't normally wear shoes in the house.

I certainly don't bother changing into oter cycling gear for that ride, just my normal clothes with cycling shoes and helmet.