Pedal advice for newbie

[gillelive]

Another newbie question from me......

I have been reading up on the different pedal types, shoes etc. but still a bit unsure what to do. My main 3 times weekly trip is a work cummute, about a 20 mile round trip. My ride is a Specialized crosstrail comp. I also enjoy some nicer rides at a weekend, upto 35 miles.

Anyway my problem is pedals, I have found that I am slipping off my current pedals on occasions and wondered if it's worth trying clipless. The shoes I use are mtb style shoes that have a cleat plate that I don't use. I use them more like a trainer.

My question is: will I notice a difference with clippless, and what is a reasonable pedal/system to look out for. I want to be able to walk around in the shoes so have been looking at recessed cleats but the range of pedals is confusing, any advice appreciated. I have up to £50 to spend.

...just to add I was look at these on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shimano-PD-57...sure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item43a1ee6b32


Thanks

 

[potsy]

Those are road pedals,you won't be walking far in them.
If you already have the MTB SPD shoes (2 cleat holes) then I would get some Shimano M520 very popular on here,I have them on both my bikes.And at £20 if you don't get on with them it's no great loss,you could probably sell them on here.
Main reason I use them is I hated when my feet slipped off the pedals,wouldn't be without them now.

 

[guitarpete247]

If you want recessed cleats then SPD-SL are not what you want. Look for standard 2 bolt SPD type such as Shimano M520's. Many places sell them for about £20. I've got 520's on road bike and these from EBC on MTB. I went for SPD pedals on both bikes so I could use MTB shoes and dhb R1's on road bike in case I wanted to go walk about if I wanted to. And got the two way pedals for the MTB so I could use ordinary shoes if I wanted to (haven't done so yet though just a pair of Lidl MTB shoes).

 

[gillelive]

thanks for the advice and links, my wife thinks I am going to kill myself being attached to the bike!!!

 

[Peter10]

I have the M770XT pedals which are brilliant. The M520s are more than ideal for a first set of SPD pedals, unless you really want to spend all of the £50 that is. Off the top of my head, I can't remember getting cleats with the pedals though, not 100% on that one...

And I thought the same about the thought of being clipped in. I actually feel safer in the rain with clipless pedals than normal old pedals as my feet don't slip around. The only thing I still don't like doing is filtering with them. However, I do wonder how much of this is because I am still not the best rider at slow speeds on a road bike and need to work on my balance & control more.Years of using mountain bikes have done that to me I guess.

 

[Steve H]

Agree with above. Also - for the two sets of pedals that I've bought so far, both included cleats with the pedals. Just got to get the right pedal for the shoe. As stated above, MTB SPDs have two hole for attaching cleat to shoe, Road Bike SPD-SLs have three. You can put whatever kind of pedal on whatever kind of bike though. Based on the shoes you have the recommendations above are all good.

 

[snorri]

Anyway my problem is pedals, I have found that I am slipping off my current pedals on occasions and wondered if it's worth trying clipless.

You might wish to consider toe clips like these
http://www.cyclerepairman.co.uk/details.asp?ID=688
They can be fitted to most conventional pedals, but are rather looked down on by those seeking higher cycling performance. As a utility cyclist and tourer I find them perfectly adequate. They have the advantage that they can be used with any regular fotwear. I don't bother with the straps, the plastic clips are sufficient to prevent my foot slipping.

 

[Sieve]

You will never look back.
When I first rode clipless I couldn't see what all the fuss was about - until I got out of the saddle on a hill! The difference was obvious and immediate. just set the retention springs as loose as they will go so that you can unclip easily and quickly.
Honestly, you will soon get used to them and feel the big benefit.
Good luck!

 

[jarushby]

thanks for the advice and links, my wife thinks I am going to kill myself being attached to the bike!!!

There are few certainties in life but one is that when you start using clipless pedals you WILL fall off. The upside is that, as you fall off when stationary, the only damage is to your pride.

 

[the snail]

There are few certainties in life but one is that when you start using clipless pedals you WILL fall off. The upside is that, as you fall off when stationary, the only damage is to your pride.

It's amazing how quickly gravity works... all part of the fun though.

 

[MacB]

That you will have a clipless moment and fall off is not guaranteed
But neither is the concept that if you do fall only your pride will be injured, you, and your bike, are also at risk
There is a definite performance gain when honking uphill out of the saddle, the rest of the time, ie the majority, it would be a marginal thing
You may suffer foot and knee problems even if you spend time and money getting the pedal/shoe combo fitted to you

If you only wish to stop your foot sliding off a pedal then the toeclips Snorri links to are fine, you can also get some that are designed not to include straps. Then there are the options around various types of flat pedal and various types of shoe. Plenty of people cycle without being clipped in and don't suffer from foot slippage. They also enjoy the ability to cycle in any footwear they own rather than something cycling specific. Plus they're not spending £'s on shoe and pedal combinations.

By all means go clipless and, if you're racing it's probably essential, but recognise as well that shoe/pedal/cleat sales are a huge market that is cynically exploited to the max. Neither should you expect the 'night & day' difference that so many allude to in throw away remarks, the evidence to support this doesn't exist.

 

[jarushby]

That you will have a clipless moment and fall off is not guaranteed

But neither is the concept that if you do fall only your pride will be injured, you, and your bike, are also at risk

I don't know anyone that has not had at least one clipless moment. I think more recent models of pedals even offer a "money back guarantee" if you dont fall off in the first 3 months .


However, you are correct that injury/damage can occur but statistically the probability of it is low.


I would also add that although clipless is not for everyone, the majority that switch to clipless do not tend to switch back.

 

[MacB]

I don't know anyone that has not had at least one clipless moment. I think more recent models of pedals even offer a "money back guarantee" if you dont fall off in the first 3 months .


However, you are correct that injury/damage can occur but statistically the probability of it is low.


I would also add that although clipless is not for everyone, the majority that switch to clipless do not tend to switch back.

Hmmm, the statistical probability is even lower if you don't use clipless but hey, it's personal choice, just felt some reality needed to be added. Rather than endless anecdotes about how you will fall off but it'll be oh so funny.

How many don't switch back due to the £'s they've spent, the placebo effect, a perception that it makes them a 'proper' cyclist and a belief that things will get better?

Time for a Shoes Ruse link I think:-


http://www.rivbike.com/article/clothing/the_shoes_ruse

 

[snorri]

Time for a Shoes Ruse link I think:-

Good find there MacB, a voice of sanity from across the pond.

 

[tyred]

Good find there MacB, a voice of sanity from across the pond.

And we don't get much sanity from across the pond...


Toe clip user here but I never pull them tight, I'm not racing after all.

I also have normal pedals on some bikes and have never noticed too many problems with my feet slipping off, even on the horrible rubber block pedals found on old three speeds. Decent MTB or BMX type pedals are much grippier, the alloy pedals with serrated edges found on old road bikes are okay as well and suit my vintage bikes.