Question about special cycling shoes/clipless etc

[Scotmitchy]

Hi there, I wear ordinary trainers or deck shoes and feel my feet slipping from time to time. Plus, I am sure with the right equipment my speed and distance potentila would hugely increase (yeah right! ).

I read on here about clipless shoes, though to be honest I am not really sure of the difference between clipped and clipless, and their relative advantages.

My real worry is that I have bad knees - both kneecaps can and do dislocate if you even look at them funny, never mind put them under strain.

So, my worry is, do you need to twist much to remove your feet when they are attached to the pedals, and, in the event of me falling off my bike, either at speed or slo mo cos I forget to unclip my feet, how much strain is this likely to put on me pins?


Edited to add that I have a sneaky feeling I may have asked this question last year when awaiting delivery of the bike, then never got round to buying shoes. Apologies if you are answering twice to me. Blame it on my new blonde hairdo!

Thanks

 

[Rouge Penguin]

Go to your local shop and try some on. They might let you test if you can clip and unclip without to much pain. on a loose setting, its not that hard.

If you do buy. Get them to set them up for you correctly.

If you're cycling in deck shoes, do you really need cleats

 

[ian turner]

There is something familiar about this and wasn't one of the suggestions flat pedals with pins so
something like DMR V8s for that matter.
I get the impression that the clipped pedals that come with bikes follow a one size fits all and aren't great for people with above average sized feet (I was clipping the chain stays until I swapped to clipless and I'm only about a 10.5/45 so above average but not massively)

 

[Twizit]

I've got next to no cartilage left in either of my knees so they're not in great shape, but I have no problems cycling with cleats. Definitely prefer using them and I find my cycling performance is a lot better than trying to ride clipless or using flats.

In terms of twisting your leg to disengage them... you can wind the spring tension right down to make it very easy to clip out. As suggested above, see if your LBS will let you try some out so you can see how easily you can clip in and out.

 

[siadwell]

"Clipless" is a bit of a misleading term, as it refers to SPD-type clip-in pedal systems, in order to distinguish from the old-fashioned clip and strap systems.

Other alternatives to consider would be mini toe clips (basically a plastic cup that protrudes from the leading edge of the pedal) and Power Grips.

One of my knees has recently taken to popping out of position. It happens all the time when I walk, but never when I cycle using cleats. In fact, I think the restriction imposed by being clipped in prevents me making lateral movements that cause it to pop out.

 

[raindog]

Sounds as if you might be better off with toe-clips and straps. No foot twisting to disengage, just slide your foot out backwards.

 

[Globalti]

My son has been using SPDs since he was ten years old without difficulty. They are excellent. You can buy cleats for the shoes that have lots of float if you are worried about your knees.

 

[Scotmitchy]

Thanks guys, think a trip to my LBS is in order.