Clipless Pedals FAQ

[slowmotion]

i have 2 bolts, any chance of a link to cheap pedals to suit please

Shimano M520 SPD pedals are very popular with quite a few people hereabout, and they are pretty reasonably priced too.
Some of the ones on ebay are about £15 but come without cleats.
With cleats, about £20.....

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=3759

 

[david k]

cheers they look like theyd do the job

 

[Arjimlad]

This has been an excellent thread to read through.

Before finding this site I bought these Wellgo trekking SPD pedals within a normal pedal : -

http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/product/33/wpd998/wellgo-wpd998-treking-spd-pedal-silver.html

and these DHB shoes from Wiggle : -

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-t1-cycling-shoes/

I had to trim a bit of tread off the shoes to get the cleats to clip in, but otherwise I've been happy with this combination. I can hop on my bike whatever trainers I am wearing to go & get a takeaway or use the cycling shoes for commuting or more serious rides.

I am still having fun when approaching traffic queueing at lights - approach as slowly as I can, watch the lights change to green but the car in front is half asleep - of course, as soon as I unclip the car in front pulls away !

 

[Moss]

Hey Kestevan,

A Great Big Thankyou!

This thread is invaluable to all cyclists; and your post is brilliantly put together.

Regards

M

 

[Moss]

I'm seriously thinking of ditching my clipless pedals and fitting flat pedals to my road bike. I've found myself much more willing to go out on my hybrid/commuter bike than my new road bike and I've realised why: I dread the beginning of every bike ride on my road bike because I have to navigate my way out of the city. The thing is, I love cycling in the city, but as you all know one of the most important things for effective city cycling is confidence.

With clipless I have severely reduced confidence at being able to pull out of a junction, or put myself in that position on the road in only so much time etc. It's mainly because I still find it really hard to clip in with the second foot. I probably manage the clip in quickly about 1/10 of the time, which is just pure luck. The rest of the time I'm having to continue pedaling while not clipped in praying that my foot won't slip off the pedal.

It's been months now, but due to not wanting to go out in the first place I haven't practised as much as I would have liked. How long does it take to get as good at clipless as I am with flat pedals?

Also I think my shoes are too big for me. The LBS said there needs to be loads of toe room, but even with the cleats adjusted all the way back (which makes it even harder to clip in) the cleat feels way too far forward. This has given me Achilles tendon pain on longer rides. Unfortunately hardly any LBS's stock a good selection of shoes.

Hi Borbus,

I've bought some Shimano XT Pedals (The latest 2012 Model ) to use on this road bike >

They are SPD one side and flat the other! A perfect combination for city riding; and the clip in and out of the spd side is relatively easy!

Here's a link to the pedals >http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=67250 I think the treking style of this pedal would suit your requirements perfectly! BTW I never use the flats now, I find it so easy to clip in and out of these pedals.

Hope this helps

M

 

[Matthames]

Since changing over from using toe clips to SPD, in terms of amount of speed there is very little difference. However, my average cadence over a 10 mile ride has gone from 80 rpm to 90 rpm. Using SPD has made it much easier to spin than other pedal systems.

 

[Baja Dan]

that last part about falling, it's a scary feeling when you're slowly falling nothing can help you.

 

[Buddfox]

Had a clipless moment this morning - into oncoming traffic, eek! Was turning right across a main road, had my front wheel slightly into the oncoming lane. Tried to reverse back and keeled over - thankfully the oncoming taxi was watching where he was going! Slightly embarrassing, but in the end only a bruised ego...

 

[Scousegaz]

Had my first ride with clipless pedals yesterday on my new Trek 1.2 winter trainer, my Trek Madone is now having them fitted as I found them quite easy after having toe clip pedals for a while so the need to remove the foot from the pedal was always required. Go on take the plunge................not literally

 

[BC BOOTLE]

Had my first ride with clipless pedals yesterday on my new Trek 1.2 winter trainer, my Trek Madone is now having them fitted as I found them quite easy after having toe clip pedals for a while so the need to remove the foot from the pedal was always required. Go on take the plunge................not literally

went out today clipless myself for the first time,I agree a lot better,I got some pdm 505's so still got one side of the pedal for trainers if req,shimano RO64 shoes will do for me to start with,getting my foot out ok, ,getting it in is going to take some practise looking down isnt good,,no plunging yet

 

[cyclebum]

As this thread is so long, I'm afraid I've skipped the middle bit so humble apologies if this question has already been asked, but can anyone recommend a good reputable web site to look at? Obviously I don't want to be spending big bucks at this point in time till I know if this is for me!

 

[BC BOOTLE]

wiggle,chain reaction,sjs are to name a couple,hope this helps

 

[cyclebum]

Thanks, I've had a look on these and why is there so much more choice and bargains for men....
Any tips on shoe sizings? do I go for my own shoe size or +/-?

 

[PpPete]

Many cycle shoe brands come up small. Best to try them in the shop before buying online (or asking the retailer to price match)

I've returned to this thread just to let people know that clipless moments don't always happen in first few months of riding. I've come close a very few times since going clipless a couple of years ago - but never actually hit the deck until last Saturday. Chain-suck, drive train locked up, tried to free it by back pedalling, ignored fact I was going uphill at the time, speed bled away too quickly - cue slow motion topple into the road. No damage to me or bike, no traffic, just my pride !

 

[BC BOOTLE]

Glad the bike was ok Pete