Fifty Plus (50+) - Guess who's thinking of going clipless finally?

Yep... Me.

I have my Roubaix at the shop for it's first tune-up. The one that comes free with purchase. After 650 miles or so, it was due.

So i'm thinking this is a good time to switch to clipless, because the shop said they'd give me a thorough fitting (saying it would take about an hour) with the new pedals on. The "fitting" they gave me when I bought the bike was a real quickie.

They also said my cheapo platform pedals were already wearing out (designed just to try out bikes on, actually). So I have to do something, so i might as well suck it up and go clipless.

They're recommending the Shimano 540 SPDs, since I already have (and like) my Shimano MTB shoes. The pedals are on sale for about $80, which I thought was high, but I'm finding that price or higher at places like Performance, etc.

Can you believe that DG is going clipless????

From those of us who care deeply about you:

1. Set the clip tension as low as you can get it.

2. If you have a trainer, practice on the trainer clicking in and out.

3. If you don't, practice riding around large grassy lawns so it will cushion your fall.

4. Be sure to buy sexy shoes. Something made by Sidi (OK, you already have Shimano shoes, but these are Sidi's, dood).

5. Always give advise that is numbered, for easy reference.

540 PDM or R-540? I presume for you roadie types R-540. Either way, you won't be sorry in a week or two after you've joined Club Tombe a time or two. Sure hope you don't hurt your bike when you fall. Which you will.

Don't forget the multi release clips for your shoes, they may save you a fall.

George is right, spend the extra $20 on the gold multi release cleats and start at the lowest tension possible for the first few weeks.

Practice clipping and unclipping often and for the first few weeks plan ahead.


Club Tombay awaits, previous members who have fessed up are entitled to pie for the first fall.

After a few weeks you'll wonder what took so long to take the plunge. I can't imagine ever riding without them.

Pay no attention to the folks implying that you are doomed to fall over.

Consider Speedplay Drilliums first. Best platforms out there. $110.00 Pricey, but worth it.bk

Practice this line for when you take that 0 mph fall in front of the young girl (required) -

girl - Are you alright sir?
you - cant' breathe

Us old guys need to prepare beforehand since we don't think fast enough.

Yep... Me.

I have my Roubaix at the shop for it's first tune-up. The one that comes free with purchase. After 650 miles or so, it was due.

So i'm thinking this is a good time to switch to clipless, because the shop said they'd give me a thorough fitting (saying it would take about an hour) with the new pedals on. The "fitting" they gave me when I bought the bike was a real quickie.

They also said my cheapo platform pedals were already wearing out (designed just to try out bikes on, actually). So I have to do something, so i might as well suck it up and go clipless.

They're recommending the Shimano 540 SPDs, since I already have (and like) my Shimano MTB shoes. The pedals are on sale for about $80, which I thought was high, but I'm finding that price or higher at places like Performance, etc.

Can you believe that DG is going clipless????

It was only a matter of time.

You did not ask for advice (like you have to ask on this forum) but I will suggest one thing that helped a lot when I started.....forget the trainer, you already know how to ride. Go ride the bike. Clip into one pedal (most people keep the right pedal clipped--I clip in left, but that is another story) and don't clip in the other side. That way you will always have your other foot free if you need to put a foot down. As you gain confidence, you will know when to clip in with both feet. On an open stretch of path or road, clip in and clip out while you are riding at a moderate pace. It is a little scary at first, but so was riding without training wheels and you learned to do that.

After you read all of the advice you are going to get, just go do what seems best for you. Oh, and don't believe a thing Tom B says about this, he has no idea what he is talking about.

Well, you know what I'm thinking so I won't even bother to say it.

DG...........Every time you push back your cycling boundaries I'm reminded of your observation long ago that you were perfectly happy to be a low mileage, low zoot rider. You are a cycling Everyman doing all the things that everyone else here has done or gone through at some point in time. Many smiles of self-recognition for lots of us I'll bet.

My bit of advice: Make sure your left foot goes in the left clip, and your right goes in the right-- not reversed. It's more efficient pedaling that way.

Oh, and don't believe a thing Tom B says about this, he has no idea what he is talking about.

The Grampster is a genius and you should follow his advice to the letter.

The Grampster is a genius and you should follow his advice to the letter.

See what I mean?

Clip into one pedal (most people keep the right pedal clipped--I clip in left, but that is another story) and don't clip in the other side. .

I'm curious as to why you clip in the left foot. I've noticed most the people I ride with clip into the right foot but like you I always clip into the left first.

I have actually entertained the thought, especially when my foot slides off the pedal. But it's still a loooooong way off.

I'm looking forward to a full report!

I'm curious as to why you clip in the left foot. I've noticed most the people I ride with clip into the right foot but like you I always clip into the left first.

I had my left knee replaced a few years ago and like to avoid any more torque on that knee than necessary. Most folks keep their right foot clipped in to help avoid chain tattoos on their calf.

Don't go on Texas street on your first try :rolleyes:

I'll be looking for a 30 day report as well. I was clipless for about 5 weeks. Apparently doing something wrong, as I have gone faster and fallen less when I put the platforms back on.

Deeg,

If you're gonna splurge on spd pedals, ya might as well go all out and get a pair of Shimano cycling sandals. You'll never regret it. Just ask Fox or anyone else who's tried them.

Deeg,

If you're gonna splurge on spd pedals, ya might as well go all out and get a pair of Shimano cycling sandals. You'll never regret it. Just ask Fox or anyone else who's tried them.

If you get sandals I suggest looking for some that are not open toe.

my wife took her first ride on the new bike that replaced the dead bianchi. In addition to the other modifications, I had a set of speedplay light action pedals installed for her new Sidi genius shoes. She had only used spds before that...She loved em. So, Gary...remember that my wife had to be dragged kicking and screaming to spds...but she'd never go back again

I like my Power Grips. Not sure they do much for my performance but they keep my feet on my pedals as tight as anything could and are very comfortable to use. Look pretty dorky though. I like how I can wear my comfy Merrill hikers - because when I'm out, I'm likely to take a hike or walk around a town.

I'm sure no roadie would want to be seen with them.

Take a look at Crank Brothers stuff. http://www.crankbrothers.com/eggbeater.php
Just think of the names we could call you.

I like my Power Grips. Not sure they do much for my performance but they keep my feet on my pedals as tight as anything could and are very comfortable to use. Look pretty dorky though. I like how I can wear my comfy Merrill hikers - because when I'm out, I'm likely to take a hike or walk around a town.

I'm sure no roadie would want to be seen with them.

Definitely not on my good road bike. Look pedals and Sidi shoes for that. But I wouldn't mind trying Power Grips on my old MTB converted to an upright casual street bike.

Regarding clipless sandals, here's my story. (I doubt I would wear them for strenuous riding, but obviously, as you'll see, I don't know everything.)

We call her Bronze Skin Girl. Mid twenties maybe. She's worn clipless sandals every time we've seen her. She's good. She's fast. She's gorgeous we think. We've never gotten so close to her to tell what make bike she rides, except it's black and has gold rims. Bronze Skin Girl is always ahead of us and never catchable. Once while we were filling bottles at a country park, she rolled by with legs like smooth polished myrtle wood. I don't know about your legs, DG, but if sandals are good enough for Her, they might be OK for you, too.

If you set the release tension very low at first, do not, I repeat, do not stand and try to pedal hard. Low tension pedals and starting to sprint are the reason I've seen so many riders go down by themselves when their foot unclips accidentally.
What I did was find a steep hill, and keeping tightening the tension until my foot stayed clipped in while climbing hard. Then I went two clicks tighter.
By all means, get the shoe cleats that release in both directions.

I thought for a moment it was going to be jonnysays420 (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=291386) finally having seen the light. The last three or so pages of that hyperlinked thread is a complete hoot!

If you set the release tension very low at first, do not, I repeat, do not stand and try to pedal hard. Low tension pedals and starting to sprint are the reason I've seen so many riders go down by themselves when their foot unclips accidentally.
What I did was find a steep hill, and keeping tightening the tension until my foot stayed clipped in while climbing hard. Then I went two clicks tighter.
By all means, get the shoe cleats that release in both directions.


+1. In a confrontation between nards and top tube-- guess who loses...and that could well happen if a foot comes off a pedal, among other things. Deege, you're a fairly big guy with lots of weight (;) ) to use to unclip with. I doubt you'll be trapped in your pedal, so.... start at least one click up from minimum tension.

And remember....push down then twist. This pushing down will tense the supporting muscles around your knee preventing a twisted, hurt knee and also facilitate getting out of the clip.

The 540's are a good pedal but so are the cheaper 520's. I know some are saying go road pedal- but that will also cost you a new shoe and you will have the problem of walking from the bike into the cafe with a pair of shoes that don't like being walked in.

So go SPD as you have the shoes- and go double sided pedals such as the M 520 or 540's.

Now- to get used to them. practice a few times clipping and unclipping while staionary, and get the tension set up low.And Don't forget to ask how to tighten them at the shop either. Then go out and ride. My first ride on SPD's was offroad on a a 100 miler. And I only fell over once.

So kill two birds with one hit. First clipless fall and first 100 miler. You know you want to.

I'm curious as to why you clip in the left foot. I've noticed most the people I ride with clip into the right foot but like you I always clip into the left first.

This is probably a ploy to fool the Tombay gods who have decreed that you will fall toward whichever side is still clipped in........:eek:

Deeg,

If you're gonna splurge on spd pedals, ya might as well go all out and get a pair of Shimano cycling sandals. You'll never regret it. Just ask Fox or anyone else who's tried them.


I love mine:D

Deeg,

If you're gonna splurge on spd pedals, ya might as well go all out and get a pair of Shimano cycling sandals. You'll never regret it. Just ask Fox or anyone else who's tried them.

A different angle on this would be - if you are going to be buying new pedals and shoes anyway, you might as well get road shoes and a true road specific pedal system. SPD pedals can work fine on a road bike, just as a hybrid bike can work fine riding on roads. But road specific pedals work better for road riding.
It really comes down to how much walking around you plan to do when riding this bike. If you will be riding the bike to places where you will be walking around for a good bit of time on most of the rides on that bike, SPD makes sense. But if you mostly plan to ride the bike with only occasional short stops for snacks, hydration and potty breaks, a road system would be my choice. I wouldn't want to walk a mile in my Look pedals, but with Kool Kovers in place, a walk through a convenience store or restroom is no problem at all.

Pedals aren't welded on. You can quickly change to SPDs if you are planning a ride that will involve more walking than your normal rides. That's what I do.

If you set the release tension very low at first, do not, I repeat, do not stand and try to pedal hard. Low tension pedals and starting to sprint are the reason I've seen so many riders go down by themselves when their foot unclips accidentally.
What I did was find a steep hill, and keeping tightening the tension until my foot stayed clipped in while climbing hard. Then I went two clicks tighter.
By all means, get the shoe cleats that release in both directions.
???

I've never had a problem with the A520s in that regard. The tension doesn't seem to go as low as the M520s. I think the M520s are absurdly easy to get in and out of, so I could see that happening is you set the tension too low on those. But not the A520s. FWIW.

I'm curious as to why you clip in the left foot. I've noticed most the people I ride with clip into the right foot but like you I always clip into the left first.

I read somewhere - don't know where - that if you are right-handed you should clip in with the left foot first and then the right because you have more control over your right foot . . . or something like that. :rolleyes: That's just backwards from what I normally do but I have been trying it lately and it works.

As for the part about "you will fall" with clipless pedals . . . I have been clipless on my mountain bike and my road bikes since the early 80's. I have never fallen. (Now watch. I'll probably go out and fall this morning. :o )

My son just converted to snap-in pedals and wonders, "what's all the fuss about falling over?" However, he's just shy of his 23rd birthday and quite adaptable.

The main factor keeping me from changing from toeclips and straps to a snap-in binder system is that I think it would be safest if I converted either all of my bikes or none of my bikes. Do any of you confidently switch between a strap-in pedal system and a snap-in pedal system without forgetting which is which in a panic stop?

This thread is not reassuring me about going clipless. It seems overwhelming in terms of choices about pedals, how to adjust them, and so on. How can something that should, it seems to me, be pretty simple get so complicated?

Now I'm (still) worried about falling over, and worried about making my knee problem worse, and buying/regretting the "wrong" pedal, and I'm getting overwhelmed with all the well-intended advice and opinion. (This is about me, not you...:) )

I have a headache. :(

Maybe that's why I like platforms so much. They are no-brainers. Kinda like me.

My son just converted to snap-in pedals and wonders, "what's all the fuss about falling over?" However, he's just shy of his 23rd birthday and quite adaptable.

The main factor keeping me from changing from toeclips and straps to a snap-in binder system is that I think it would be safest if I converted either all of my bikes or none of my bikes. Do any of you confidently switch between a strap-in pedal system and a snap-in pedal system without forgetting which is which in a panic stop?

NO. Because since going Clipless- I can't ride a bike with vigour without them. So All my bikes have SPD's.

DG....you can't go getting hinky about clipless. It's just us BS'ing and getting pretentious. Do you have a pair of Look drilled (3 holes in a triangle pattern on the sole) road shoes? I'll send you a pair of old but very smooth running Look clipless to try out. but you can't keep them. ;) You'll just need to get a pair of bolt on cleats for $15 - $18. P.M. me. You're probably more of an SPD guy but try mine just for the experience.

Adjusting them isn't rockect science...you've got to get it pretty radically wrong to hurt yourself. As for falling, you know the old saw about two kinds of riders those who've fallen and those who will. A few falls are good for your cycling resume-- they make good stories to share with BF. Sometimes we talk about small things (e.g. whether to set your release tension one turn not two!!!) so much here (for want of bigger issues I guess or just for something to write about) that we misconfuse others.

Clipless aren't for everyone but they're worth trying......I recall you took 2 years to buy a real roadbike but now you're joyful and love Ruby. Let's not wait another 2 years for pedals.

(And your mom agrees with me!)

The main factor keeping me from changing from toeclips and straps to a snap-in binder system is that I think it would be safest if I converted either all of my bikes or none of my bikes. Do any of you confidently switch between a strap-in pedal system and a snap-in pedal system without forgetting which is which in a panic stop?

Yes. I have bikes with Look pedals, bikes with Eggbeaters, a bike with clips and straps and a bike with platforms. I go from one to the other without any trouble. Humans are pretty adaptable creatures. ;)

Regarding clipless sandals, here's my story. (I doubt I would wear them for strenuous riding, but obviously, as you'll see, I don't know everything.)

We call her Bronze Skin Girl. Mid twenties maybe. She's worn clipless sandals every time we've seen her. She's good. She's fast. She's gorgeous we think. We've never gotten so close to her to tell what make bike she rides, except it's black and has gold rims. Bronze Skin Girl is always ahead of us and never catchable. Once while we were filling bottles at a country park, she rolled by with legs like smooth polished myrtle wood. I don't know about your legs, DG, but if sandals are good enough for Her, they might be OK for you, too.

Well written CC.

I'm much like the male version of the Bronze Skin Girl. except I'm slow, and wrinkled and balding and graying, and I have a little paunch. And my legs, even when shaven, weren't anything like polished myrtle wood. More like cement. But I do have clipless sandals.

This thread is not reassuring me about going clipless. It seems overwhelming in terms of choices about pedals, how to adjust them, and so on. How can something that should, it seems to me, be pretty simple get so complicated?

Now I'm (still) worried about falling over, and worried about making my knee problem worse, and buying/regretting the "wrong" pedal, and I'm getting overwhelmed with all the well-intended advice and opinion. (This is about me, not you...:) )

I have a headache. :(

Maybe that's why I like platforms so much. They are no-brainers. Kinda like me.

Have you ever walked into the edge of a mostly open door. Have you ever left a cupboard door open and the stood up under it. Have you ever tripped over an invisable crack in the sidewalk. And have you ever slipped while walking thus tweaking your back for a couple of days. Do not make light of the Gods of Tombay, they are waiting. Everything is simple Grasshopper but nothing is easy.

This thread is not reassuring me about going clipless. It seems overwhelming in terms of choices about pedals, how to adjust them, and so on. How can something that should, it seems to me, be pretty simple get so complicated?

Now I'm (still) worried about falling over, and worried about making my knee problem worse, and buying/regretting the "wrong" pedal, and I'm getting overwhelmed with all the well-intended advice and opinion. (This is about me, not you...:) )

I have a headache. :(

Maybe that's why I like platforms so much. They are no-brainers. Kinda like me.


Don't fret, DG- it's not as bad as some are making it out to be. I switched from platforms to 520s about 2 months ago and absolutely love 'em. Have I fallen? Yes, twice. No big deal, I promiose you, except the first time was in front of about five young women taking a drink break, all in full kit with carbon. Ugh. Zero (forward) velocity, and a painless (physically) fall. Not even a scratch on my brifter or a scuff on my bar tape. Embarrassing is the key word here, but the women were very understanding and of course offered to help me up (thereby doubling the embarrassment :rolleyes:). Second time I was by myself, sono embarrassment- again, no forward velocity, and a painless fall. Little scrape on my knee- that was it. Both of these falls were because I forgot that I was clipped in!

Speaking of knees- I find that my knees don't bother me at all, even on hilly metrics, since I switched. Something about the plane of motion through the pedaling stroke and the reduction in shear forces when you use clipless.

I would suggest practicing- I don't have rollers or a trainer, so I did mine in a very slow circle on a wide path, with one foot clipped in at a time, then alternating, then both, practicing clipping in and out. I had it down in about 10 minutes, and that was that.

Just do it, DG- you'll be fine!

???

I've never had a problem with the A520s in that regard. The tension doesn't seem to go as low as the M520s. I think the M520s are absurdly easy to get in and out of, so I could see that happening is you set the tension too low on those. But not the A520s. FWIW.

I've seen it happen several times, and the person always ended up saying they had the tension way down because they were afraid of not being able to clip out in time. (Yes, I asked them about the tension).
On my 'bent, I switched to Eggbeaters for a bit more float, and they have no adjustment. They are a bit harder to clip into than my SPD pedals(take more force), but very easy to get out of.

D G

Don't worry about going clipless. You may have a couple of "Moments" but providing you keep the brain in gear-Difficult I know- Falling wont happen for a couple of months- or never.

You have SPD shoes so forget about buying a pedal that will require a different shoe. As far as I can see- you have a choice of 4 pedals. The single sided with a platform on the other- that I would not recommend. The A520's that are a road pedal, but are single sided and I have just changed to on the new bike- and are a bit stiff to get into so don't recommend either.

That leaves you the choice of the M540 and the M520. Personally I have the 520's. They are cheaper and are not any different to the 540's. Life of the pedals is good as I have had the first pair since 99 and they are still good.

The problem you will find with clipless is when you get used to them in a couple of months. You will pull up at a junction and without thinkin you will attempt to put your foot down and it won't happen. Panic sets in and Tarmac sandwich. Right after that you start thinking about the pedals again so it never happens again.

DG, don't fret, it's not a big deal. You know how we are here about feeling the need to turn every piece of advice into a thesis. Just get the pedals, put them on, and go at it. I had mine for a over a year without a fall and then had 2 within 3 weeks. Both harmless and painless.

Looks to me like you just go buy what you want and then go practice around a lot of nice ladies. That way if there's any tumbles, you'll get lots of help and attention. Cool. ;)

I've seen it happen several times, and the person always ended up saying they had the tension way down because they were afraid of not being able to clip out in time. (Yes, I asked them about the tension).
On my 'bent, I switched to Eggbeaters for a bit more float, and they have no adjustment. They are a bit harder to clip into than my SPD pedals(take more force), but very easy to get out of.

+1 on Eggbeaters...they even work with Florsheims. Also you can get some styles in colours (trying to make Stapfam feel at home) to match your bike. Oh, wait, you have white, that isn't a color........never mind.

New to the forums here. Thought I would add my 2 cents to the clipless thing.

I've been riding mtn bikes for a while now, started out with SPD's and liked them, switched to CB eggbeaters, like them too probably better than the SPD's, although they were a bit hard to get used to - took a bunch of low speed crashes. Just switched to CB 50x/50x platforms about a month ago. Like them the best of everything I've used, I do loose a little pedal power but the convenience of wearing my light hikers and being more comfortable far outweight whatever loss of pedaling power I lost. I'm 52 years old and more interested in comfort and fitness (fitness comes 1st) than burning up the trails. If I had to evaluate myself using clipless compared to platforms I would say that I actually ride better and with more confidence with platforms.

D G

The A520's that are a road pedal, but are single sided and I have just changed to on the new bike- and are a bit stiff to get into so don't recommend either.

That leaves you the choice of the M540 and the M520. Personally I have the 520's. They are cheaper and are not any different to the 540's. Life of the pedals is good as I have had the first pair since 99 and they are still good.


+1. A520's are cool but M520's are wonderful. I bought mine for $39 on Ebay.

This should be the ultimate inducement for you to try clipless:

**heavy-handed irony alert**

Even I can use them.