Retired early and cycling again

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Hi
I retired End of October and got a bike- it's a Claud Butler Legend (hybrid)
I used to cycle years ago and had a road bike at the time.

I don't know other cyclists so am joining here for help and advice

I do have one question
Firstly I am cycling on road and living on the river also the tow path.
I cycle short and medium short distances. Longest run to date is 26 miles.
I was wondering about pedals with shoes that clip in.
I gather I can get shoes that you can walk in (a litttle) without clanking on the ground.
I used toe clips in the old days.
There are 3 main issues

Can I walk in them
Are they easy to unclip
What should I choose - I know there are different types
 
Firstly :welcome: and glad you are enjoying cycling again

SPD are the ones you can walk in and the choice of casual/recreational riders and are a more casual looking trekking trainer design normally

SPD-SL are more the choice of race/sportive riders and less easy to walk in

Which ever you choose..... DO IT^_^ you won't regret it (but I wont say you wont fall off a bit at first otherwise known as clipless moment)
 

PK99

Legendary Member
Location
SW19
Welcome!

Which river/Where are you?

You want Shimanno SPD's

http://tinyurl.com/ncmjszm

Yes you can walk in them. Cleat (the bit attached to the shoe) is recessed.
Yes they are easy to unclip.... once you get the hang of it. Most folks have a comedy clipped in fall while getting used to them - though i managed not to. I did mine with toe clips!

Two types of cleats:
Normal = twist the heel to release
Multi = twist or lift heel to release
I started with the normal, but have switched to the multi.

My latest shoe is a Spcilaized Tahoe sport, a touring shoe with Vibram sole. Great on and off the bike.
 
OP
OP
Stonechat

Stonechat

Guru
I am on the Thames at Staines
I do like riding the towpath though you need to be cautious with pedestrians/children/dogs
Most rides will be a bit of both road and off road.
PK99 - this is a cleat you can change to get the lift to release as well?

CUrrently watching the TT in the TDF and Cadel is about to start
 

deptfordmarmoset

Full time tea drinker
Location
Armonmy Way
PK99 - this is a cleat you can change to get the lift to release as well?

Sorry, I'm being dumb. I don't follow your question

In so far as I understood the question, I'd say no, you twist to release the foot, lifting simply helps the power transfer.

I'd second the SPD recommendations - bear in mind though that while they're fine to walk in, the stiffness of the sole means you may be using slightly different walking muscles.
 

steve52

I'm back! Yippeee
spd theres loads of shoes and trainers on the maket that take them. and read the instructions to find the tension screw and lossen it,then yippeeeeeeeeeee yahoooooooooo away you go
 

Rickshaw Phil

Overconfidentii Vulgaris
Moderator
Hi Stonechat and :welcome:.
 
OP
OP
Stonechat

Stonechat

Guru
Thanks all for the welcome

Sorry if I was not clear,
PK99 said

Two types of cleats:
Normal = twist the heel to release
Multi = twist or lift heel to release
I started with the normal, but have switched to the multi.

So if I buy shoes and pedals can I change the cleats afterwards or do I need to bear this in mind from the purchase ?
 
You have to match the pedal and shoes i.e both SPD or both SPD -SL (the odd shoe will take both cleats but are rare.) The cleats by the way normally come with the pedals SPD have 2 screws SPD-SL are 3 screws, from what you say I would suggest the 2 screw SPD fitting... you can get dual sided flat/SPD pedals which allow noramal trainers one side and cleats the other.

Hope this helps
 
OP
OP
Stonechat

Stonechat

Guru
Thanks all for the advice
I answered my own question
If I get the Shimano then there are the cleats SM-SH56
These release in any direction. Still thinking about it all
In this heat not doing so much cycling
 
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