Looking for advice regarding clip-in pedals...

[markemark]

There’s little to no benefit to clipless. Didn’t have them. Had them. Didn’t have them. Over a few years. My average speed over that time? Unchanged. The only thing it does is give some people the feeling of connectedness to the bike. And for a good chunk…the feeling they are ‘proper cyclists’.

I have good flats. My feet have never slipped off.

 

[fossyant]

There’s little to no benefit to clipless. Didn’t have them. Had them. Didn’t have them. Over a few years. My average speed over that time? Unchanged. The only thing it does is give some people the feeling of connectedness to the bike. And for a good chunk…the feeling they are ‘proper cyclists’.

I have good flats. My feet have never slipped off.

I think many many people will disagree. That's your opinion. I certainly prefer being clipped in, especially when you spint away from lights or hit rough ground and need to keep the power down.

Now, if you just pootle about, then it's not needed.

Added advantage, clipless stops you scuffing up the anodising on the cranks and making your bike look tatty.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

There’s little to no benefit to clipless.

You might find that. I find them a massive benefit.

 

[Electric_Andy]

My first experience of clipless pedals - I went with mountain bike shimano shoes (still quite slim but easier to walk in). The cheapest SPD pedals I could find, think they were also Shimano. Adjusted the spring to the least-firm setting (i.e. easiest to clip in and out), got on with them fine; one clipless moment but that was painful enough for me not to do it again. I only had the one sided ones but I soon got used to them

 

[Pduk]

I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure

I think for the sake of around 100 Earth Pounds for the pedals and shoes, it's worth a try. They're clearly not for everyone and our needs are different. However...

I won't know...
If I don't give it a go...

Look, I'm a poet, and didn't know I was

 

[Dogtrousers]

I am an enormously clumsy person but I've never fallen off due to being clipped in, and have no problem clipping in and out in traffic. My feet take care of all that, they're autonomous - no instruction from Mr Brain is needed.

That said, starting on a steep hill can be tricky. Not impossible but tricky.

I obviously don't use clipless for performance reasons. I'm so slow that such an idea would be ludicrous. I just prefer them.

 

[Dogtrousers]

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

When I swapped from toeclips to clipless I spent an hour or so riding round on grass in the park very slowly, repeatedly clipping in and out, challenging myself to go slow enough to start toppling over before clipping out.

Then I tried to consciously remember to clip out before arriving at a stop, so it became a habit.

Worked for me.

 

[Drago]

You might find that. I find them a massive benefit.

Me too. At 2am on an unlit country road in the sleet they provided invaluable security.

Also, if you start to lowside in such conditions there are techniques to keep to upright that don't work if you're not clipped.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Me too. At 2am on an unlit country road in the sleet they provided invaluable security.

Also, if you start to lowside in such conditions there are techniques to keep to upright that don't work if you're not clipped.

And if you do go down it's best to do so with your foot clipped to the pedal. An extended limb can end up a broken limb.

 

[Dogtrousers]

And if you do go down it's best to do so with your foot clipped to the pedal. An extended limb can end up a broken limb.

Oddly enough, on the mercifully rare (two) occasions that I have crashed using SPDs my feet have become detached from the pedals. I don't know how. Maybe reflex. I dunno.

 

[Psamathe]

Has OP considered toe-clips? I use them on my upright and like them. Stop feet bouncing off pedals (rare but happens), easy to get feet into or out of and use your normal shoes.

I recognise they are not massively popular but I feel them a good solution.

Also, cheap, quick and easy to try and if you can't get along with them they only a few £ whereas switch to clipless is expensive (new pedals & shoes).

Ian

 

[Psamathe]

Re: Clipless.
I use clipless on my recumbent (pretty well mandatory on recumbents due to risks of leg suck). I have several pairs of clipless shoes skulling around that are just uncomfortable. OK trying them on at home but after a few rides then get to realise they are not comfortable, all too narrow despite my reading endless reviews, etc. There days I always use clipless snadals (Shimano SD-5).

So costs of switching might be more than pedals and 1 x pair of shoes.

Ian

 

[Mike_P]

I haven't had a clipless moment since I got some proper spd shimano shoes (i.e. not Lidl)

How does the make of shoe avoid a clipless moment? If you mean the cleats Shinamo cleats fit Lidl SPDs.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

At 2am on an unlit country road in the sleet

After 10 pints of the landlords best …

 

[Seevio]

How does the make of shoe avoid a clipless moment? If you mean the cleats Shinamo cleats fit Lidl SPDs.

They may well fit but the quality of the Lidl shoes was such that no amount of tightening would secure the cleats. I could twist my foot and the cleat would twist in the shoe. Getting Shimano shoes made me realise what all the fuss was about.