First ride on spd's

[BrumJim]

Oh dear, your stories aren't encouraging.

I'm thinking of going clipless but am really hesitant as most of my cycling is on busy London streets which are stop/start and lots of the unexpected. I see loads of 'clipless' cyclists but I'm still very unsure.

Lots of stops and starts means that you will learn very quickly, and not forget how to unclip.

 

[Moodyman]

Lots of stops and starts means that you will learn very quickly, and not forget how to unclip.

Agree. No clipless moment here and been using them daily for 2 years.

 

[HLaB]

Oh dear, your stories aren't encouraging.

I'm thinking of going clipless but am really hesitant as most of my cycling is on busy London streets which are stop/start and lots of the unexpected. I see loads of 'clipless' cyclists but I'm still very unsure.

I don't ride in London but I actually prefer my spd's in traffic I'm more certain about pulling away (can always put my drive foot to 2 O'clock) and I feel more connected to the bike. I do like to ride with spd pedal's that have a cage however (mine are M424), so that if I miss clip with the unclipped foot I can pedal away no problem and clip in at a later date or if I feel slightly uneasy I can unclip that foot well in advance and can also cycle without thinking about it.

 

[Jezston]

Agree. No clipless moment here and been using them daily for 2 years.

Me too. Went for Crank Bros cleats/pedals as on testing found them much easier to get in and out of.

Lots of people don't seem to realise there are alternatives to SPDs, and I don't just mean Look either.

For commuting purposes where you're clipping in and out often I would say Crank Bros are much more suitable.

 

[Bluebell72]

Oh dear, your stories aren't encouraging.

I'm thinking of going clipless but am really hesitant as most of my cycling is on busy London streets which are stop/start and lots of the unexpected. I see loads of 'clipless' cyclists but I'm still very unsure.

Not much vehicular traffic where I live/cycle, but often, in early morning/dusk there are deer/rabbits/hares.

If anything, using clip pedals has made me more aware in pre-empting situations - and don't forget, you only have to unclip one foot and put it down!
Tho after attending neighbour's BBQ the other week, and drinking lethal punch, cycling home I became somewhat confused - unclipped one foot, then tried to put the other down and overbalanced spectacularly.

(no public roads or paths were involved)