To clip or not to clip ?

[noddy63]

Hi all, just ordered my new road bike and looking for some advice. After years on my hybrid I have changed to the road only thing is never used clips just flats, so I'm wondering is is it better to start with mountain bike spd ones as I'm told they're easier to get used to. Any thoughts.

 

[sleuthey]

Never had clips myself but if I did I’d want to fit them to a bike that I’m familiar with ie. I think it will be a challenge going from flat to dropped bars, narrower tyres and clips all at the same time

 

[Venod]

Start with MTB double sided and never use anything different, they are all you need, with the added bonus you can walk in the shoes, someone will come along and tell you the shoes are not stiff enough, that's bullshit you can get exactly the same stiffness shoes as road shoes.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Just because you are getting a road bike, it doesn't mean you can't use flats

 

[noddy63]

Start with MTB double sided and never use anything different, they are all you need, with the added bonus you can walk in the shoes, someone will come along and tell you the shoes are not stiff enough, that's bullshit you can get exactly the same stiffness shoes as road shoes.

 

[noddy63]

Seems very sound advice, similar to what I've been told, also that Shimano make a couple of decent double sided at not bad cost and there are some good shoes too.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

Road shoes and road pedals look far, far sexier though, just so long as you know that.

 

[Venod]

Seems very sound advice, similar to what I've been told, also that Shimano make a couple of decent double sided at not bad cost and there are some good shoes too.

There is always some bargain Shimano shoes to be found with a bit of searching, the last 2 pairs I bought were bargains and my son got a bargain pair also.

Shimano SPD 520 and 540 are OK you can pay more for lighter ones, but I have run these 2 models for years, but the 540's are Allen Key fitting only, which can be a problem if the pedals get stuck in the crank, I prefer something you can get a spanner on.

 

[C R]

I only started riding a road bike about two months ago, I ride in flats, with these to stop my feet flying off

Half toe clips, just under a fiver from Amazon. Hold feet in place without being tied to the bike, and you don't need special shoes.

 

[noddy63]

Not sure that sexier is the look that I'll portray, 50 yr old in lycra !!!!😄

 

[vickster]

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/clipless-pedals-faq.74358/

 

[vickster]

Road shoes and road pedals look far, far sexier though, just so long as you know that.

Until you go arse over tit on a slippery floor after looking like a constipated duck walking into the cafe

 

[noddy63]

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/clipless-pedals-faq.74358/

Good link thanx

 

[CXRAndy]

Shimano SPD 520 and 540 are OK you can pay more for lighter ones, but I have run these 2 models for years, but the 540's are Allen Key fitting only, which can be a problem if the pedals get stuck in the crank, I prefer something you can get a spanner on.

540's are far better with metal bodies not plastic. When fitting pedals, lots of copper grease and just lightly nip the pedals, nothing more. They self tighten if loose

 

[MontyVeda]

I only started riding a road bike about two months ago, I ride in flats, with these to stop my feet flying off

View attachment 518415

Half toe clips, just under a fiver from Amazon. Hold feet in place without being tied to the bike, and you don't need special shoes.

if you buy decent flats you won't need those.