Will clip in pedals and shoes help me ride in the correct position?

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

medication25

New Member
I'm currently riding a GT Zum, and i want to switch to clip pedals because i understand it helps you “pull up” as well as push when you pedal (fact?).

I currently find myself riding with the pedal positioned in the middle of my foot rather than under the ball of my foot (maybe a legacy issue from when i used to BMX as a kid) .. would getting clip-ins help this too?
 

Tynan

Veteran
Location
e4
makes a load of difference, I can't imagine riding without them now

getting your cleat position right can be a pain but it's a no brainer if you can afford the pedals and shoes

MTB style shoes are much easier to walk in than roadie shoes
 

Cubist

Still wavin'
Location
Ovver 'thill
medication25 said:
Can you suggest some decent entry level shoes and pedals for my Zum... im willing to take the plunge...:birthday:

I'd suggest you go for SPD systems, and MTB shoes, the reason being that the cleats are set into the tread on the shoes, so you can walk on them. Shoes? There are a good few shoes on the market these daysand a realistic starting point is about £50. Some fit wider feet better than others, but always try to try them on before you buy. Look at
Specialized Taho, (look like trainers) Shimano M076, bit sportier. Wiggle do the DHB M1 or whatever, for less than £50. Shimano MP66 look more like skate shoes, and are really cool! Shimano MT41 are their budget trainer lookalikes. mavic Cruize lok pretty good value in the £50 odd range.


Shimano M520s are supposed to be the dog's danglies for entry level pedals. They are dual sided and have adjustable tension for clipping in and out. They are however quite heavy. You can get bikehut or wellgo copies for less. M520s can be found on ebay for about 25 posted.

Look cool with some Crank Bros eggbeaters. They can be found for £45 if you shop around, and are amazingly easy to clip in and out of, no tension adjusters to bugger about with, and unless you weigh 25 stone and regularly honk your bike up near vertical slopes then tales of reliability can be ignored. Oh, and they weigh about as much as your helmet.
 
medication25 said:
I'm currently riding a GT Zum, and i want to switch to clip pedals because i understand it helps you “pull up” as well as push when you pedal (fact?)

Basically you can pull back,pull up, push forward and push down.

With a bit of practice on each of these you can put them all together in one fluent movement and turn the wheel - if you cruise in this mode it leaves muscles fresh to push down in order to accelerate or climb a hill etc etc.
 

briank

New Member
You may have to fiddle about a bit to get your cleats (and so feet) fixed in exactly the right position, but even without doing that you're bound to get them close - much closer than they have been, by the sound of it.
 
OP
OP
M

medication25

New Member
Great info all.. thanks..... i went with the Shimano MP66's love the look of them and the rewviews are great.. and got the Shimano M520s pedals... i assume these will work together... or do i now need to cancel an order :birthday:

Man i love this forum, i have found out so much info from it.. and read everything.... My GF hates it though....:birthday:
 

ianrauk

Tattooed Beat Messiah
Location
Rides Ti2
+1 to all this

Tynan said:
makes a load of difference, I can't imagine riding without them now

getting your cleat position right can be a pain but it's a no brainer if you can afford the pedals and shoes

MTB style shoes are much easier to walk in than roadie shoes
 

Sittingduck

Legendary Member
Location
Somewhere flat
I suspect you're going to be very pleased with your M520's medication - they're just what the Doctor ordered :ohmy:
 

Cubist

Still wavin'
Location
Ovver 'thill
medication25 said:
Great info all.. thanks..... i went with the Shimano MP66's love the look of them and the rewviews are great.. and got the Shimano M520s pedals... i assume these will work together... or do i now need to cancel an order :laugh:

Man i love this forum, i have found out so much info from it.. and read everything.... My GF hates it though....:biggrin:

Cool shoes. Yes, they're compatible with your pedal cleats. :ohmy:
 

Soltydog

Legendary Member
Location
near Hornsea
It does make a difference. I used to get terrible pains in my knees, but switching to clipless has almost cleared my knees of pain, I still struggle sometimes on longer rides (50+ miles)
It's worth trawling through all the online retailers as there are many really cheap deals to be had on some shoes, but usually very small or large sizes :ohmy:
 

PaulSB

Squire
Tynan said:
getting your cleat position right can be a pain

Quite literally. Be prepared for making a number of small adjustments until you get it spot on for yourself. In my first few rides I was getting numbness in my feet and cramp after 10 or 12 miles. Both solved by correcting the cleat position. Try making adjustments when you are on a ride, only takes a few moments and gives almost instant results. When you are making changes mark the original position with nail varnish or something similar so you can easily assess what you have done. You may find the final adjustments can be very small.

Numbness is a common problem. In my case it was caused by a combination of cleat position and overtightening the shoe across the top of the foot.
 

I am Spartacus

Über Member
Location
N Staffs
PaulSB said:
Quite literally. Be prepared for making a number of small adjustments until you get it spot on f

You've made the best effort at answering the question....
No, just using cleats.. and whatever type of pedal/shoe combo will NOT in itself help you ride in the correct position.
I repeat NOT!
For that.. you can spend an absolute fortune in getting 'fitted' or you can make acquaintance with a few people who seem to ride with seeming effortlessness without issue for knee this hip that....moan here ... whinge there
Ask them to view over your riding style... it's another good reason to get involved with a club
 
Top Bottom