Pedals

[Noeyedear]

I just got my new bike, I'm happy with all but the pedals, so I'm thinking of replacing them.
Everything I read suggest once you go the clipless route you will never go back. I'm not sure why that is, what are the advantages of a clipless system.
I have to ask the question I'm sure everyone asks, what happens when things go wrong and you find yourself screwed to an out of control bike?
Also the shoes don't look much fun to walk in, do you need to take another pair when you want to walk about. Anything else I should consider when changing pedals?

Thanks,

Kevin.

 

[Wigsie]

They are a bit like skiing boot bindngs in the sense that you can have them to flick out with a relatively light twist or they can be firmly set in.... I have not had a 'clipless moment' either, although i have been close when riding slowly with my son. Mine are on the loosest setting, my boss has a stiffer setting and has done it a few times.

Road bike style clipless are less practical to walk around in than the mountain bike versions which tend to be more like trainers and relatively easy to walk round shops etc. I guess it depends on what you use your bike for?

I ride my bike to work, get off and have a change of shoes there and the bike sits next to my desk. When i go for a bike ride I dont stop anywhere, maybe at a pub garden in the summer... I never risk a ride to the shops on it or anywhere i will leave it unattended and walk around so the sacrifice is negligable.

The difference though with riding in them is awesome and definatley worth a couple of mishaps in front of the odd stranger, just pray its not outside a pub full of your mates with video phones rolling!

 

[HLaB]

You fall over, and everyone around you points and laughs.

It happens to most people. Not me yet, but I'm only whispering that otherwise I'll be posting my own "clipless moment" thread tomorrow.

May I add, it happens at low speed/ when you're stationary and nothing is hurt but your pride

 

[jimboalee]

The advantage of 'clipless' is that you can pull ALL the way round the crank rev.

The spring only needs to be light so when you twist the heel of your shoe outward to release, your shoe leaves the pedal instantly.

 

[asterix]

Also the shoes don't look much fun to walk in, do you need to take another pair when you want to walk about.


Use MTB shoes with recessed cleats, or a touring shoe like exustar stelvios. OTOH if you are a racing type you won't worry about it.

 

[marinyork]

Advantages of a clipless system - cycling is no longer a chore on a flat straight section of road or on a steep hill or when you're knackered. You may go a bit faster.

 

[Randochap]

Just get some. Nothing to lose and everything to gain.

If you walk a lot, get offroad like SPDs or Speedplay Frogs.

 

[jimboalee]

Advantages of a clipless system - cycling is no longer a chore on a flat straight section of road or on a steep hill or when you're knackered. You may go a bit faster.

"You may go a bit faster."

How do you make that out?

 

[snorri]

I'm not sure why that is, what are the advantages of a clipless system.

Do you not want to know about the disadvantages of clipless?
It is vital that we know what you intend to use the bicycle for before we can give advice on this topic.

 

[simoncc]

Do you not want to know about the disadvantages of clipless?
It is vital that we know what you intend to use the bicycle for before we can give advice on this topic.

True.

I use clipless with my road, touring and MTB bikes and they are great and easy to adapt to. But on my shopping/riding with kids bike I use ordinary pedals with ordinary shoes. I also use ordinary pedals/shoes with my folder when I take it on trains.

And if you are a beginner to cycling don't worry about pedals too much. Even Tour de France riders didn't use clipless pedals until a few years ago.

 

[Mike Rudkin]

I had to make the same decision only last week.
As I saw it,there were 3 options:- 1. Ordinary pedals. 2.Ordinary pedals with toe clips and straps. 3.Clipless.
At first I favoured option 2 as this is what I had on all my bikes in the 50's In those days we had a slotted metal plate on sole of shoe which fitted the pedal frame,then you tightened the strap on the clip and you were 'attached' The straps had a quick release fastening so that one flick of the thumb undid the strap.However,the straps I looked at last week did not seem to be as easy to undo and my LSB didn't seem to understand what I meant by 'quick release straps'
So,with trepidation,I opted for 'clipless'. I 'converted' my Shimano MTB shoes to clipless mode(the cleat is recessed on them so walking around is no problem) and set the release mechanism to it's minimum strength.
100yds from my house,going downhill towards a T junction I realised that there were patches of ice on the road-panic set in and I tried to release my left foot whilst gingerly braking,after 3 attempts I managed to grab a passing lamp post I then spent 5 mins practicing the release technique !!! Do this at home before going out for first time !!
From then on things have only got better as my confidence increased-in traffic I tend to ride with one my right foot 'fastened' and my left foot 'loose'.
I'm now totally sold on clipless. Mike

 

[Bodhbh]

I tried clipless last year for several weeks, and wasn't particularly sold on them. On the loops into the country it made no difference in speed, in traffic I was slower (more nervous filtering). I can see in theory the advantages however, but in practice not much odds when I tried.

If you're coming directly from flats, I'm assuming you have to 'grow into' them a bit either developing appropriate pedal technique(s) or some slightly different muscle groups?

I'll give them another go soon and see whatsup in anycase (spending alot of money on some is a sure way to ensure they get a decent crack of the whip and turn out to be marvellous).

 

[ianrauk]

*Pictures this in ones head and chuckles to one self heartily.... sorry *

100yds from my house,going downhill towards a T junction I realised that there were patches of ice on the road-panic set in and I tried to release my left foot whilst gingerly braking,after 3 attempts I managed to grab a passing lamp post I then spent 5 mins practicing the release technique !!!

 

[Noeyedear]

OK lots of good information here thanks all. My riding is weekend 40-60 mile country road stuff, with the odd muddy track thrown in. The bike is an as new Dawes Horizon (courtesy of e-bay), it has toe clips, I'm used to toe clips on other bikes I've ridden, these just don't do a very good job of keeping my foot in place, the pedals feel slippery.

Kevin.