Clip in pedals?
- Thread starter Alex808
- Start date
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Davew789
New Member
having started a new job last year, and been commuting ever since with SPD's, i would offer the same advice i was given when i first started cycling again after a period of 30 odd years out of the saddle, and this is:
If you are seriously considering a clip in system (Either Road (3 bolt clip in's) or off road (MTB) SPD's (2 bolt sole inserts) first ask yourself if you will be waring the same shoes when you get to work, or changing footware. it may sound like an odd question to start with, but if you ware the same shoes, this cuts down on the ammount of weight you carry on your back whilst commuting. If this is the case go for SPD's, the clips are resessed into the sole, and you can walk in them anywhere and they are extreemly comfortable.
Something else to consider is, if you get a puncture and end up walking home, road shoes are totally unsuitable for walking in, as the cleat is mounted on the sole of the shoe!
The advise i was given, put your bike in the kitchen and for a period of around 10/15mins, just prictice clipping in/out. this will help on your first outing and possibly avoid craching to the ground having come to a stop and forgot to put your foot down!
If you are seriously considering a clip in system (Either Road (3 bolt clip in's) or off road (MTB) SPD's (2 bolt sole inserts) first ask yourself if you will be waring the same shoes when you get to work, or changing footware. it may sound like an odd question to start with, but if you ware the same shoes, this cuts down on the ammount of weight you carry on your back whilst commuting. If this is the case go for SPD's, the clips are resessed into the sole, and you can walk in them anywhere and they are extreemly comfortable.
Something else to consider is, if you get a puncture and end up walking home, road shoes are totally unsuitable for walking in, as the cleat is mounted on the sole of the shoe!
The advise i was given, put your bike in the kitchen and for a period of around 10/15mins, just prictice clipping in/out. this will help on your first outing and possibly avoid craching to the ground having come to a stop and forgot to put your foot down!
To add to that advise. Loosen the tension of your pedals to allow a smoother exit. Once you get use to clipping out with both feet (if you only focus on one foot, you will fall over on the side youre not accustomed to clippin out...I've done it a couple times) then you can tension them up more for a more solid feel.
I've recently switched from trainers and toe-clips/straps to SPD clipless (not road). Advantages I've noticed are:
- You're able to pull up on the pedals during sprints or tough hill climbs.
- I find the stiff clipped in sole far more comfortable than my trainers, as my old flexible trainers would allow the pedal grips to poke in to the sole of the shoe.
- No chance of feet slipping in the rain.
I haven't had any issues with leg pains/aches since changing - I just positioned the cleat in the same position as where my foot fell over the axle of the pedal on my old setup (if that makes any sense).
All in all I paid £45 (£20 Aldi shoes, £25 Shimano PD-M530 pedals), and I'm very happy with the setup.
Saying this I do have a second bike with flat pedals and toe-clips still, allowing me to still jump on a bike in any old shoes if I need to.
- You're able to pull up on the pedals during sprints or tough hill climbs.
- I find the stiff clipped in sole far more comfortable than my trainers, as my old flexible trainers would allow the pedal grips to poke in to the sole of the shoe.
- No chance of feet slipping in the rain.
I haven't had any issues with leg pains/aches since changing - I just positioned the cleat in the same position as where my foot fell over the axle of the pedal on my old setup (if that makes any sense).
All in all I paid £45 (£20 Aldi shoes, £25 Shimano PD-M530 pedals), and I'm very happy with the setup.
Saying this I do have a second bike with flat pedals and toe-clips still, allowing me to still jump on a bike in any old shoes if I need to.
defy-one
Guest
Took my new hybrid out tonight - hated it .... Not because of the bike (spesh sirrus elite) ... But i felt so disconnected from the bike. I kept thinking my feet would slip off the pedals,and on a small hill,where i would stand and power up .... Trundled up instead in the saddle. Yuk
I'll be going spd with this one. Can't wait
I'll be going spd with this one. Can't wait
