should i go clipless

[Nilesdad]

I'm a real bike novice (just bought my bike in January) I'm quickly becoming a cycling enthusiast though and I'm ready to move beyond sneakers for my regular 15-20+ mile weekend rides. Ok the point, I have a Trek 7100 hybrid with regular pedals (no system), I just bought some AXO clipless shoes on Ebay for dirtcheap can I use these shoes on my bike before I invest in the new pedals? If I can get away with it for a little while I'd like to wait on installing the new pedals. Thanks for your help anybody.

[sydney_b]

Well, I love my SPDs (shimano clipless) and consider them much safer than toe clips or even without any sort of 'keep the feet on the pedal' device.

For example, last week put ice on the bike trail for the commute and I fell twice getting to work. BUT, they were the least traumatic falls I've ever had on a bike and I credit the SPDs. Instead of flailing or trying to catch myself, both the bike and i slide down together. No sprains, no other injuries other than to pride.

I also like the fact that when going over bumpy terrain my feet stay put, but are super easy to release if need be.

Overall, clipless have allowed me to get better and safer workouts and commutes.

/s

[DiRt DeViL]

I'm not going to recommend a brand or system but want to let you know that going clipless will improve your pedaling but you'll take the occassional fall until uncliping becomes second nature.

If you give it a go get started on soft surfaces like grass in order to soften the fall, every body goes thru this so don't feel bad. Also practice clipping in and out while leaning on a wall or pole, remember that practice makes perfect.

[Psimet2001]

Go clipless. I have never met anyone who went clipless and then back.

It'b be like skiing without boots or bindings...just in case you fall.

Get them...and keep riding!

[masiman]

Clipless....mmmmmm, yummy.

Since you did a smart thing and purchased an inexpensive first pair of shoes (I hope they fit and are comfortable). I would vote for an inexpensive pair of pedals. My guess is that the SPD's would fill the bill. They are widely and inexpensively available. You can get an idea of what you like and don't like about the pedals and shoes and maybe you will decide in another year or two that you would like different features in them. Since you are on a hybrid and just beginning I will guess that you are doing rides where there are stops for breaks and maybe other events. This means walkability may be an issue for you. Additionally, during your stops your cleats may pick up dirt and rocks. You may find that ATB/Mountain pedals will fill your needs better than road pedals. Nashbar (www.nashbar.com) has some inexpensive pedals that may just what you are looking for. If you are unsure of what you want, by all means support your LBS (local bike shop). They may be able to help you with your decisions. Hopefully you can form a good relationship there as you discover cycling.

Good Luck.

[Phantoj]

I second the idea of getting some cheap Nashbar mountain SPD style pedals... your new shoes will be slick on the bottom, and probably won't work well without cleats and pedals.

Get 'em used off Ebay if you're cheap. All the SPD pedals I've used (several different brands) have been fine.

[Nilesdad]

Hey thanks everybody for the good advice. The shoes I stole on ebay are the MTB variety and according to what I've read have good breathability and walkability (see I'm using the terms and everything). One more question though.

Until I pop for the new pedals and install them will the shoes work on my bike? or will the tread and cleat plate slip off or something?

[DieselDan]

Get some double sided MTB pedals, Shimano SPD or a knockoff, then set the release tension all the way down. Find somewhere that you can practice clipping in and out, and enjoy. Your 15-20 miles rides will become 25-40 mile rides, then you'll want a road bike with Look or SPD-SL pedals, then try to race some, become a bike snob, and finally an eccentic on a 'bent.






Laugh, only the first two sentences are serious.

[masiman]

They will work but I would suspect not very comfortably.

The good parts of MTB shoes is that they are generally more comfortable than road shoes and they have a decent walkable sole.

The bad side is that because they are cycling shoes meant to have cleats mounted to them, they will likely have a stiff plate in the ball of the foot area of the shoe. That stiffness will by design remove alot of the feel of your platform/rat trap/whatever pedal you have. My guess is that they will not work as well as your sneakers. Your sneakers will likely grip your current pedals better and give you a better feel for the pedal. Your sneakers can also make you more prone to "hotspot/s" on your foot because they don't protect your feet very well from the point pressures of the pedals. But, by all means, try your new shoes on your existing pedals. Pedal around the block with them and see if you feel safe riding with that shoe pedal combination.

Nothing made me feel faster than my first pair of clipless pedals.

[cooker]

Road bike shoes might not grip the flat pedals, and might slide off, but since the mtb shoes have some tread, you may be able to use them on flat pedals. But why bother? Also, if they don't have tread on the heel (my Shimano mtb shoes don't), they'll be a little funny to walk in with the toes higher than the heels.

[MarkS]

I rode with mountain bike shoes with no cleats for two months before making the leap to clip less. I was using toe straps though. I think the stiff bike shoe may have more to do with performance boosts reported by some than even the clip-in pedals. Before that I was wearing tennis shoes, and the pressure on the balls of the feet were making them hurt. With the stiffer shoes, the pressure is distributed across more of your foot.

Before installing the cleats, the shoes were a little stiff to walk on, but not too bad. They were OK after the cleats as well, but do make a little click noise when walking on tile or pavement.

[bbattle]

On my wife's FX, the pedals are spd compatible on one side and regular shoe friendly on the other. My wife is interested in clipless pedals but maybe not for every ride so these pedals are just the ticket.

Here's a pair for $40 at Performancebike.com
http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/400/00_1473.jpg
Link to website (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=2275&subcategory_ID=5240)

[DieselDan]

Why the whining about walking in bike shoes? Bike shoes are for riding, not walking.

[curt in denver]

I just made the switch from SPD to Speedplay(another system) I have 3 sets of SPD peddles I'm not using. If you want I will send you a set, then you only need to buy a set of clete's. Shoot me a PM if you want them, you pay for shipping and the peddles are free.

[masiman]

That's a great deal Nilesdad that "curt in denver" is offering. You won't have much to lose on that offer.

[Dchiefransom]

The MTB clipless shoes that have very hard plastic soles and tread might not be good for riding flat pedals. If they have a sole that a bit flexible and soft, like a regular shoe, they should work fine.

[Daily Commute]

Why the whining about walking in bike shoes? Bike shoes are for riding, not walking.
Which is fine, until you get that mechanical problem you can't fix, or if you want to ride someplace, do errands, and ride home.

Some of us need walkable bike shoes, others don't. Get what's right for the way you ride.

As to the question, I'm sure you can ride with just the bike shoes and platform pedals, whether they will be practical or not, I can't say. But there's one way to find out--stop typing and try them out.

[Litespeed]

Go clipless. I have never met anyone who went clipless and then back.
No, you don't know me, but that is what I did before I got Candy SL's. I had tried clipless, used them for about a year, loss my confidence, went back to platform pedals, tried again with different clipless pedals, went back to platforms and stayed that way for a couple of years.:( I'm glad I finally found the pedals that worked for me, but it did take some doing, with my low confidence. There are a lot of hurdles to overcome but once you find the right ones, there is no going back. :D

[huhenio]

MOST people would not go back ...

Wifey and I ride clipless on hybrids, shimano 520's, and so far it has been a very good experience.

Last weekend we rode 35 miles on saturday, with the longest leg being 15 miles, and the comfort factor has never been an issue.