too old and scared to go clipless

[rowan 46]

I have recently bought my first road bike for over 30 years and after reading the stories of people falling while attached to their bikes discovered I am too old and terrified to go clipless I went googling and found these has anyone here tried them?
http://www.protonlocks.com/

 

[slowmotion]

You are never "too old... to go clipless". I've been over three times while getting the hang of them. Each time, I bounced and giggled.

slowmotion ( aged 57 )

 

[Mozzy]

I have recently bought my first road bike for over 30 years and after reading the stories of people falling while attached to their bikes discovered I am too old and terrified to go clipless I went googling and found these has anyone here tried them?
http://www.protonlocks.com/

Reading through all the blurb Rowan, I got the distinct impression these in all sizes were aimed at mtb/stunt. May be wrong of course. I thought they seemed expensive to just try out. No experience in being attached, but thinking I may try it soon.

Mozzy

 

[al-fresco]

I got my first cleats at 56. At my age I need all the help I can get.

 

[Manonabike]

I bought these pedals when I first went clipless. They have a standard side which was useful while trying to get used to. Whenever I was riding in a congested area and I needed to put a foot down at anytime I would use the standard side. This way I built confidence until I use clipless without even thinking about it now.

 

[MattHB]

I bought these pedals when I first went clipless. They have a standard side which was useful while trying to get used to. Whenever I was riding in a congested area and I needed to put a foot down at anytime I would use the standard side. This way I built confidence until I use clipless without even thinking about it now.

These look great! I've been wondering about clipless, but these would solve a few of my reservations.

 

[steve52]

nothing to fear, and if u take the time to detesion the clip in spring when u start you can avoid falling because its easy to just rip your foot of? simples

 

[Alembicbassman]

I've fallen off bikes more times using normal flat pedals than clipless therefore I think they are safer

 

[Norm]

I've had one very-near clipless moment, which was off road on my CX bike when I got caught in a rut and tried to lift out both feet at the same time. That tensioned my thigh muscles, I can tell you, although neither foot did come out of the cleat.

I also use the single-sided pedals on my CX bike, so I can use the flats when approaching a junction or an area I might need to put my foot down quickly, and (other than getting stuck in ruts) I have not had a problem.

I've got double-sided pedals on my road bike and part of the "game" when I ride is not to put a foot down.

I've got flats on my MTB, and that's the only one that I have actually fallen off (again stuck in a rut) but I don't think that can be blamed on the pedal-type.

 

[wakou]

To the OP, I am also an elderly gentleman..... (!! I am 50) I bit the bullet and bought some cheap SPD shoes to clip to my single sided SPD pedals..... I find them brilliant, and that they inspire confidence rather than the opposite.
I think the link above points to Shimano M324 pedals, http://bit.ly/sK5Dlb
I am sure that they are great but at 533g (best part of 1lb) they are very weighty!


http://bit.ly/sAPVHQ

are slightly better at 472g but are IMHO fugly.

I am thinking of getting a pair of these, http://bit.ly/tbnRI6as
I believe covers are available so they can be used flats, but I can't find them on t'internet, anyone help with those please?


I am currently using similar to these http://bit.ly/vdMXGh and am considering another pair for the other (n+1!) bike...

 

[Nufab]

The thing with spd type systems is that it keeps your foot in the correct place on the pedal, and means you can pull the pedal up as well as push down for more power. Twisting your foot sideways snaps the clear out of the pedal. With those magnetic jobbies, I can't see the magnets being powerful enough to withstand being pulled against too much, and if they were that strong then I can't see how you'd ever detach your foot from them!

SPDs are awesome once you're used to them... I fell off twice when I first got them, as I just forgot to snap my foot out of them. Other than that, I've been fine, and I couldn't use flat pedals anymore.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Yeah, logic would seem to dictate that magnetic pedals will purely be there only to minimise the chance of your foot bouncing off the pedals if going over bumpy terrain akin to a MTB trail, and to aid putting your foot back on the pedal in the same place every time. They simply can't help in applying power through your legs upstroke, otherwise you'd never be able to detect your feet!

Take the plunge and go clipless, it's honestly not as scary as it sounds. I know as I'm writing it I'm setting myself up for a fall here (pun intended) but I've never had a clipless moment, I've simply found clipless pedals brilliant in all ways. The thing you should note is that for all the posts about falling, I've yet to see one single post where someone says 'tried clipless, didn't like them, going back to flats'.

For the record I use both SPD-SL on the road bike and SPD on the MTB.

 

[Norm]

I've yet to see one single post where someone says 'tried clipless, didn't like them, going back to flats'.

Really? I can think of at least two regulars on here.

Edited to add: Captainhastings, MacB, Brandane and pepecat just from one thread.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

I was not that keen on them at first. I use the Shimano spd system, at first I used regular cleats and I nearly fell off. So I bought some multi release cleats, Shimano SM-SH56. Even if I forget to twist my foot in a panic and I end up pulling upwards my foot still unclips. The odd time I have became unclipped when I have not wanted to, when I have been struggling up a steep hill. But this hardly ever happens, and in my case it is worth it as I prefer a cleat that is easier to unclip in a panic.

 

[cyberknight]

Do you use the regular pedals with the toe straps that come with some bikes? as i find them harder to get out of than clipless pedal systems unless you have the strap really loose.
If you are used to riding on flat pedals you could also look into getting some mini toe clips which will help a bit but are easy to get out of .

Clipless is not for everyone, do not worry if you do not want to use them, as long as your happy riding the bike .It took me a few goes to get used to them and longer to be able to unclip at a standstill before i fell over, untill then i would unclip a foot well in advance .