Clipless Pedals FAQ

[Goldcoast]

Went clipless for the first time yesterday, I really like the connected feeling to the pedals and not having to worry about feet placement / slipping when you decide to go for it. Think it may take a while to get use to them though, I noticed I would slow down quite a bit in anticipation to unclip. I did have one or two moments when my first attempt to unclip failed which is quite alarming but quickly regained my composure and managed to unclip at the second attempt.

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

Are you using SPD or SPD SL pedals / cleats Phoenix?

These have been recommended a few times but having had some high speed incidents and still being able to unclip without even thinking about it, I cannot recommended these enough IF your using SPD pedals (wont work with SPD-SL) - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=10969

As for your current setup, something is seriously wrong and I wouldn't use your pedal / cleat combination until your LBS has sorted it, releasing tension from pedal / checking for stones etc / oiling the pedal is all you can really do yourself to check.

Hi again

I used some 3-in-1 spray to clear out some gritty stuff and gave the sticking pedal a good old squirt and the next day it was easy peasy. When I got home I did the other one too, which had felt ok, but was then much stiffer than the freed up one. I've not been on it since Monday though and yesterday was foul weather and tbh, I didn't feel like it (lol).

I'll report back soon and thanks for the link

 

[Leodis]

Your thoughts to this

http://www.rivbike.com/kb_results.asp?ID=45

I ride with flats, I like them because I can wear any shoe. I have thought about SPD SL's but I wasnt sure.

 

[deadpool7]

Your thoughts to this

http://www.rivbike.com/kb_results.asp?ID=45

I ride with flats, I like them because I can wear any shoe. I have thought about SPD SL's but I wasnt sure.

There are some valid points but some not so valid. In my case, i had two primary reasons for going clipless:
1. My running shoe soles have good padding, and as such, the heel is wider. when wearing them, my heel would hit he bike frame multiple times each ride. it was ruining my shoes and was a safety hazard. the clipless shoes are narrower and remain in better positioning.
2. At high cadence, my feet would occasionally slip off the pedals. again, a safety issue.

I,m really happy i switched to clipless and wouldn't go back to fists on my road bike. but to each his or he own.

 

[Leodis]

I don't have a road bike but thinking of switching on my commuter, since I go through the city centre I am not convinced it would benefit me and thought I would throw that blog in

 

[Kevin Airey]

Each to his own, the blog has some valid points but also loads of rubbish...

At the end of the day I would always recommend what suits you and not preachers of what you should and shouldn't do, we are all different...

I personally wouldn't be without the SPDs on my MTB and LOOKs on my road bike...

 

[Nomadski]

I had a lot of reservations about going clipless, but wouldn't switch back now. I went the "best of both worlds" route, in that I got nice SPD pedals, and Shimano SPD shoes that are more like road SPD SL shoes (firmness and light) but have SPD cleats (so you can easily walk in them). Also combined them with the multi release Shimano SM-SH56 cleats that are as easy to release as taking your foot off a pedal, but have never released without me doing it intentionally.

This combination is in my honest opinion the best starting point for anyone looking to test the water with clipless pedals, and whether your commuting in a busy city (I live in London!) or splicing the rural B roads up they WILL make you feel more connected to the bike and foot slippage is none existent now.

My main worry was in an incident the extra damage potentially caused by being so connected to the bike, but those multrelease cleats sorted that too, I had a high speed moment at 40.1 mph on a bend a few weeks ago, and pulled my legs outwards to help balance (in a kind of Basil Fawlty style) and without thinking the feet released from the pedals, just as I wanted, I stayed on the bike btw :P.

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

Hi again

I used some 3-in-1 spray to clear out some gritty stuff and gave the sticking pedal a good old squirt and the next day it was easy peasy. When I got home I did the other one too, which had felt ok, but was then much stiffer than the freed up one. I've not been on it since Monday though and yesterday was foul weather and tbh, I didn't feel like it (lol).

I'll report back soon and thanks for the link

Had a good ride today and didn't fail to unclip once - phew!

 

[Kevin Airey]

Nice one, don't think about it too much, just do it!

 

[Goldcoast]

Went out today and only had the one dodgy moment when a parked car decided to reverse out without looking. I managed to unclip ok but as I stopped my weight started to shift to my cliped in fot side - had a bit of wobble . My real problem seems to be clipping my left foot back in once I get going again.

 

[kedab]

My real problem seems to be clipping my left foot back in once I get going again.

that will come with time - don't panic when you don't get clipped in right away, it's going to happen. just start the process again, as if you were clipping in from the off. once your pedals 'learn' which way to sit when your foot isn't clipped in, that'll make it easier too - it'll mean you don't spend precious time kicking the pedal around in circles. as with all things cycling, just try to stay relaxed.

 

[deadpool7]

I installed my birthday present eggbeaters a couple of days ago on my mtb and am going to get shoes today. Whooooo!

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

I've now decided my shoes are too small (how they've suddenly become painful I don't know, but maybe because I'm pushing harder, going further or something) as I've got a blood blister on one toe and a bruise under my big toenail. Sooooo, this may be in the wrong section, but they need to be able to be used with my Shimano A520 road pedals and I'm looking at these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-ladies-wr35-spd-touring-shoes/

Does anybody know how sizing compares to 'normal shoes'? I don't want to spend an absolute bomb, but I need to be able to get more miles in.

Thanks guys for any help you can provide

 

[deadpool7]

I've now decided my shoes are too small (how they've suddenly become painful I don't know, but maybe because I'm pushing harder, going further or something) as I've got a blood blister on one toe and a bruise under my big toenail. Sooooo, this may be in the wrong section, but they need to be able to be used with my Shimano A520 road pedals and I'm looking at these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-ladies-wr35-spd-touring-shoes/

Does anybody know how sizing compares to 'normal shoes'? I don't want to spend an absolute bomb, but I need to be able to get more miles in.

Thanks guys for any help you can provide

I just got some Specialized MTB shoes yesterday and also tried Shimano. I found the Shimano shoes were more narrow and fit tighter. The Specialized I got were actually a half size smaller than my running shoes. Hope that helps!

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

Thanks Deadpool. All thoughts welcome

Have a good day