My pedal broke

[PrettyboyTim]

Size 12 isn't a problem PBT.

Wind isn't a problem.

Riding in the rain is easier - no slippery pedals.

The reason wind would be a problem is that if I recieved a very heavy gust from the side and wished to put my foot down - as a clipless beginner I would be likely to have a clipless moment. I'm sure wind isn't a problem once you're used to clipping and unclipping.

I don't find slippery pedals a problem with my toeclips.

Plastic pedals are sh1te.

Clipless lets you pedal deeper into corners.

My current pedals have a plastic centre and a metal outside, whereas the others I linked to have the opposite. But yes, I don't like plastic ones.

I'm not bothered my the depth of corners I can pedal in to - I've never had a problem with pedal strike with my toeclips (except when they're hanging upside down). I'm still a bit cautious with my corners after coming off on one in December so it's not like I'm taking corners that tight at the moment anyway.

Just a thought if you do decide to go clipless at some point. I got shoes and pedals at a remarkably cheap price from www.cyclexpress.co.uk. Look at their pedal and shoe combinations, I got both for £45.

That's a nice idea but I wouldn't be prepared to but a shoe without trying it on first.

Speaking of which, I did try some shoes on at Evans Cycles this lunchtime, but they only had one pair that was big enough for me. I wasn't a big fan of the fit - my feet are fairly square at the end and most shoes seem to be designed for people with pointy-ended feet.

I rang up the LBS I bought my bike from - I'll pop in to them on my way home and they'll have a look at the pedals for me - if it's a manufacturing fault they'll replace them. I'll make sure I get all metal ones this time though.

 

[HJ]

Try these

 

[trustysteed]

 

[Jacomus-rides-Gen]

The reason wind would be a problem is that if I recieved a very heavy gust from the side and wished to put my foot down - as a clipless beginner I would be likely to have a clipless moment. I'm sure wind isn't a problem once you're used to clipping and unclipping.

I don't find slippery pedals a problem with my toeclips.

Unlikley in SPDs - back off the tension and given a certain amoun of panic you can rip your foot out of the pedal, even without twisting it.

Honestly, people make much more of a fuss about clipless than is necessary IMO - when they are brand new you are so aware of needing to twist your heel to get out you don't mess up.

Secondly, coming up to a junction or something where you are going to have to stop, there is nothing to stop you uncliping a foot early and coasting in.

They are better.

My current pedals have a plastic centre and a metal outside, whereas the others I linked to have the opposite. But yes, I don't like plastic ones.

I'm not bothered my the depth of corners I can pedal in to - I've never had a problem with pedal strike with my toeclips (except when they're hanging upside down). I'm still a bit cautious with my corners after coming off on one in December so it's not like I'm taking corners that tight at the moment anyway.

Fair enough - if its not an issue, its not an issue.

Personally I fairly frequently pedal strike my town-hack - its got metal platform pedals. Haven't had an off yet, and its at low speed tight turns I tend to do it, its just annoying, and holds back some of the speed I can get on fast corners that I could pedal through if on my roadie.

That's a nice idea but I wouldn't be prepared to but a shoe without trying it on first.

Speaking of which, I did try some shoes on at Evans Cycles this lunchtime, but they only had one pair that was big enough for me. I wasn't a big fan of the fit - my feet are fairly square at the end and most shoes seem to be designed for people with pointy-ended feet.

I rang up the LBS I bought my bike from - I'll pop in to them on my way home and they'll have a look at the pedals for me - if it's a manufacturing fault they'll replace them. I'll make sure I get all metal ones this time though.

Specialised shoes are awesome for big square ended feet - I'm size 12, flat footed and their generous toe-box is perfect.

 

[gezza]

Specialised shoes are awesome for big square ended feet - I'm size 12, flat footed and their generous toe-box is perfect.

with you there jacomus,
i have just bought a pair of size 11 spesh expert road shoes(the all shiny new silver jobbies) and they fit nicely

 

[02GF74]

Oh, and the other thing about clipless is that it seems to be quite difficult to get shoes in my size (48) and I also need quite wide shoes so I think getting some that fit might be quite a challenge.

I wear size 27 whcih genrally maps to 47 or 48.

I have 2 pairs of shimano boots, lightweight and waterproof jobbies in 48 that are fine for cycling and walking short distances - well they aren't rambler boots.

See chain reaction.

 

[Iceniner]

Ive got the M424's you were talking about earlier, they are a nice pedal, the plastic cage is holding up. You could always try the version of the pedal that has a metal cage?

I went clipless only a month ago and it took almost no time to get used to. I found them far easier to use than toe clips which i had been using for a few months.

I have seen with SPD pedals you can get a platform that clips in on one side that has reflectors on it as well as converting one side to a flat pedal.

I was really happy to go clipless. I got used to it very quickly :-)

 

[PrettyboyTim]

Well, I went back to the LBS where I bought the bike and they replaced the pedal for me. It's same as the old one, but at least now I can choose to replace my pedal at my leisure.

I would like to try on a pair of those Sonomas though.

 

[PrettyboyTim]

Ive got the M424's you were talking about earlier, they are a nice pedal, the plastic cage is holding up. You could always try the version of the pedal that has a metal cage?

What are they like to ride on with normal shoes?

 

[Joe24]

Go for SPD's. The only time i have had trouble when i've been clipless is when i wanted to start on the hill i live on. Which i can do now, not had to put my foot down in the wind, and when you first go clipless you are so aware of being clipless that you pretty much cannot forget to unclip because as soon as you need to stop for something you unclip well before.
Someone at the cycle club has flats on one side and the clipless bit on the other side on metal pedals. Look abit big though.

 

[HLaB]

What are they like to ride on with normal shoes?

I've got the 424's on my commuter too, I can't remember what they're like with normal shoes however .

 

[Iceniner]

Tim, I've only ever ridden in cleats with these pedals (went out cycling over 35miles of road/cyclepaths/hills and muddy downhills and trails. No problem what so ever in cleats clipping in and out even in very quick situations.

If you are serious about getting these pedals, then ill go and give them a test without cleated shoes to see what they are like. The cleat part only sticks up a little bit (4mm) so i imagine that normal shoes wouldnt be too much of a problem. I like the cage part as it helps stabilise my shoes when riding too. Im not 100% accurate getting clipped in straight away so it also is more forgiving hitting the pedal with your foot as you have more area to hit when you start peddaling.

Anyhow let me know.

 

[domtyler]

I can cycle with trainers on with my Ultegra SPD-SLs, no problem at all, so I can't imagine that any other kind of pedal is going to be totally un-doable.

 

[PrettyboyTim]

Well yesterday the other pedal split in the same way. I guess at lunchtime I'll pop down to evans and get a nice new set of pedals with no plastic in 'em.

 

[redjedi]

Hi Tim

If your still considering SPD pedals. definately give them go.

I got the Shimano PD-M520 and they came with a platform clipped to one side, with reflectors http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Shimano_PD-M520_Pedals/5360008792/
I used them for a while before putting the cleats onto my shoes, and soon found the platform annoying and took them off.

The difference between clipless and Non-clipless (stupid calling a pedal with clips - clipless) is night and day. I've now been using them for 6 months, in all weather, and have yet to have a "Moment". A Few panicks, but just pull your foot hard and they come out.

I also had trouble getting size 12 shoe, and was wary of ordering on the net because I also have wide feet. I went for the Specialized Taho

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=11646&catID=218

but found a 47 in a sale, which are the perfect size, and they have a lot of grip on them.

Give them a go, you wont regret it !!!

( I had a go on my flatmates MTB the other day, and I had forgotten how to cycle without being clipped in )