I just had to throw it out there for anyone that is on the fence about going clipless... make that move. I just got back into cycling last summer when I realized just how much I needed to lose weight along with how much I enjoyed riding. Earlier this month I decided I needed to lose the 10 year old mountain bike and upgrade to a newer cyclocross bike that better matched my normal riding experience. After reading up more on clipless pedals I began to see the sense in having my foot locked to the bike where before I was scared to death of the idea.

Well on Monday I went nose first into the deep end, and I am never going to look back. I have already had the ego bruising experience of falling over in front of my GF, and the following day I fell over at a stop light. Even with those two falls I am still 100% behind the concept. It is much easier to hold my cadence on rides now, and my times and gear choices have both improved. Thanks to the improved ride dynamics I did my first 25 mile trip on Wednesday, and I plan on upping by at least 5 miles per week to hit the 50 mile goal. This is all for a clyde with exercise induced asthma and so far out of shape that I am not even sure I remember what the shape I was supposed to be. If it is round then I guess I am pretty close, but anything else is still a bit off.

So lose the fear and make that move. You will not regret it.

What clipless system did go for. I'm considering it and am just curious what brands people are using and why.

..having my foot locked to the bike where before I was scared to death of the idea.


Ironically I'm afraid of riding without them because I can imagine myself taking the lane, sprinting to keep pace with traffic and my foot slips off the (platform) pedal and I momentarily fall off the bike :eek::eek::eek:


Well on Monday I went nose first into the deep end, and I am never going to look back. I have already had the ego bruising experience of falling over in front of my GF, and the following day I fell over at a stop light.

This will pass. You'll find that your muscle memory for unclipping will become so great that when you ride a bike with platform pedals, you'll still twist your heel out as if you were still riding with clips.


So lose the fear and make that move. You will not regret it.

There's no going back :).

And I, too, am curious as to what system you're using.

What clipless system did go for. I'm considering it and am just curious what brands people are using and why.

I've actually tried three systems.

I tried the Shimano SPD's as my first clipless and since the tension is adjustable, I lowered and found clipping in and out to be easy enough.

I tried the Crank Brothers Candies because I saw some for dirt cheap at an REI used gear sale. The engagement and disengagement was generally smoother and sounded less metallic than the SPD's and I think I like them better.

I've become a roadie bike commuter and so I'm using Speedplay Light Action pedals, which are double-sided road pedals. They're easy to clip in and out of and I love em. I think that for a first time road pedal user or someone coming from double-side MTB pedals, the Light Actions would be the best choice.

What clipless system did go for. I'm considering it and am just curious what brands people are using and why.


IMO Shimano SPD's is what I would suggest to start off with even if you are on a road bike. They are the easiest to get out of and road shoes are slippery on asphalt. The SPD's have a shoe that will grip when you put your foot down.

Been using the same Wellgo SPDs for 6 or 7 seasons now. If/when they finally go, I'll probably get something different, like Bebops.

Lots of folks recomend Shimano SPDs.

The first year I used SPD compatible Wellgo mountain bike pedals on my road bike. That was a pretty good choice, since they were double-sided, easy to clip in and out, adjustable, and fairly walkable.

Last year I got the Speedplay Light Action pedals, and they are even better, if a bit less convenient for walking around. I love the free float now, but it took awhile to get used to. I also have to carry around cleat covers for hobbling around when I'm off the bike, or else the cleats get clogged easily. Other than that I'm happy with the switch.

I use SPD's. They work great for me. Plus I got a pinch flat last year and had to walk two miles. I couldn't imagine doing that with road cleats.

Shimano Dura-Ace PD-7800 with Pearl Izumi shoes. They clip in easily and work well for me. I figure if I need to walk, the shoes will be the least of my problems as I didn't prepare for my ride. And I can always take off the shoes and walk. Plus since I got the entire setup for less than the pedals cost and everything was still in the box new, I couldn't argue. If I get a mountain bike or cyclocross bike, I will probably go with Eggbeaters.

I've used SPD's, Look A3.1, Look Keo's and Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL. I have found in my case, the SPD's seem to be the best for me. The road pedal cleats positions seem to be too far forward for me and are causing me foot pain in my road bike.

I went to the foot doc yesterday about the foot pain and road pedals and he told that the cleat position limited in how far back the rear position can go and cause foot pain. SPD's bolt patterns typically can sit back further on the shoe and foot. He also said that the hybrid positioning is different from the road bike and I might find them more comfortable on it so will try them tonight.

In any event, I found them all easy to clip in an out of

Congrats on the move. I went clipless last summer, and I'll never forget trying to clip in the first time. I fell over in my driveway a few times (but, fortunately, nobody saw me -- or if they did, I didn't see them). Feel much more comfortable with them now, but still get a little antsy heading up to a stoplight in traffic.

Crank Brothers Egg Beaters here. :D

You should be able to see them here

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/TomStormcrowe/Spring%20Break%202008/SpringBreak_2008035-1.jpg

and better here.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/TomStormcrowe/Black%20Beauty/BlackBeauty001.jpg

Shimano SPD on both my road bike and MTB. Wiped out once on my road bike because I couldn't unclip when 2 cars going in the opposite direction forced me to go into the gutter unless I wanted to get hit. Rode an MTB 1 week after getting them last fall and fell over about 20-30 times. It was my first MTB ride as well. I won't go back to platform.

I believe the SPD is more of an MTB pedal however, I put them on my roadie as well so I only had to buy one pair of shoes. I am cheap like that.

They do make a difference in your pedal stroke. In the words of Tim 'The Toolman' Taylor...MORE POWER, arr,arr!

I bought these at my lbs not the link, link just to show what they are:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/PE407A14-Wellgo+Wpd-95B+Cliplessclip+Pedals.aspx

I had never used clipless before as well and with the weather, snowstorm now, the Trek 7.5 FX is still on a trainer in the living room...or a set of cheap rollers.

I also bought a pair of Taho MTB shoes which I like, also at the lbs.

I've only used them on the trainer but I like them so far. Aside from the lifting factor of your uplifting leg, I just feel like the bike and me are one piece of machinery. Of course you are until you fall lol.

my $0.02 :)

Left Clipless...

I used to use SPD, but since becoming a daily commuter who refuses to dress in anything else that what I'm gonna wear for the day, I took the Welgos off for cheap platforms. It's not that I don't like clipless, but I don't care to always have to change back and forth out of my shoes everyday. I guess I could put them on for my weekend rides, but I just don't notice that much of a difference to bother (that and I'm lazy, and currently w/o a good pedal wrench).

Good luck with yours, it is enjoyable, and it is a really good cadence training exercise, much easier to make 'big circles' with the clipless :)

+1 on the specialized Taho shoes, they are one of my primary walking around shoes, i love being able to commute to class with them and still have a comfortable shoe to walk around in.

I use SPD-SL on my road bike. Regular SPD on the touring bike and my commuters. I'm thinking about switching to Crank Brothers for ease of use and maintenance issues. They cleat itself is also a little shorter so the should "click" quite as much when I walk.

I wasn't sure I wanted to go completely clipless, or whether I'd even like them, so that's why I got the pedals I did. This way I could clip in OR just use the platforms on the other side; i.e. not having to have the Tahoes on when I wanted to take a spin.

Once I try them out on the road, then I'll decide whether I want to use a fully clipless pedal. I'm thinking I will.

Time, every time!
http://www.timesport.fr/us/home.htm
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/manufacturers/3421/

http://www.fullcycles.com/images/time-atac-xs-carbon.jpg

Sidi SRS only!
http://www.sidisport.com/
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/manufacturers/3490/

http://www.terrengsykkel.no/img/guide/tester/full/sidi-under.jpg

I don't dress in costumes either.

Halthane I agree, although I haven't done it all day outside, I thing the Tahoes would be comfortable. The recessed cleates are nice. I will give it a try though, I always wear them with a pair of coolmax socks from http://www.nlzwear.com/ price is ok and shipping is fast, priority mail, 3 days.

-eric

I ♥ my SPD pedals.

I have a pair of decade-old Shimano 545 pedals on my mountain bike, a pair of Shimano 324 platform/SPD combo pedals on my greenway bike, and I have a pair of 'basic' 2 sided SPD pedals (Richey's I believe) in the parts box in my garage just waiting on another dropped bar road bike to put them on.

I like SPD's because they offer adjustable tension, a wide variety of pedal types, and they have proven to be reliable for a very long time.

Off topic, why are they called clipless if you have to clip in and out of them? Why not call them clips?

toe CLIPS and straps - hence the clipless in clipless pedals

http://www.wellgo.com.tw/p-image/LU-209.jpg

Left Clipless...

I used to use SPD, but since becoming a daily commuter who refuses to dress in anything else that what I'm gonna wear for the day, I took the Welgos off for cheap platforms. It's not that I don't like clipless, but I don't care to always have to change back and forth out of my shoes everyday. I guess I could put them on for my weekend rides, but I just don't notice that much of a difference to bother (that and I'm lazy, and currently w/o a good pedal wrench).



There are some clip on type dealie-bobs (not sure what they are called) that clip onto the spd's so that one side is like a platform pedal. The other allows the cleat to clip in. My mtb came with them when I bougth it. I've seen several on testbikes at the shops.

Would allow you to use clipless on the weekends and platforms for the commute. Plus you don't have to remove the pedals risking the cance of crossing or strippin the threads!:eek:

A little over 12 dollars!:p
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000108&subcategory=60001077&brand=&sku=2434&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Pedal%20Accessories

The "Clipless Pedals" should really be called Cleat lock or Cleat binder pedals.

Off topic, why are they called clipless if you have to clip in and out of them? Why not call them clips?

Halthane I agree, although I haven't done it all day outside, I thing the Tahoes would be comfortable. The recessed cleates are nice. I will give it a try though, I always wear them with a pair of coolmax socks from http://www.nlzwear.com/ price is ok and shipping is fast, priority mail, 3 days.

-eric

I regularly go 12-14 hours on in them on Mondays when I have exams in the evening and have no problems. I also like the coolmax socks. I also regularly use a really light smartwool sock as well. In the winter I also use a heavy wool or wool/silk blend sock. For really long duration I think that the sock might almost be more important than the shoe. Note that I said almost...

+1 Tom, what a stupid name.

I ended up going with Specialized Taho shoes. They are not garish and are easy to walk in. For pedals I went with Shimano PD-M324s. It uses the SPD system of course, and the pedals are two sided with one side being normal sneaker style. I figure this gives me the option of doing a short ride to Starbucks without having to put on riding shoes at lunch if I want.

Currently I have the tension adjusted light, but it is already becoming second nature to pop out so I will be tightening them up a little next week to see how that feels. I also happen to like the metallic click when they engage and disengage. It gives me audible feedback about what I think is occurring under the shoes.

I am not sure I like the amount of float in this setup, so I am probably going to spend this season getting used to everything and then upgrade to something with less float next year.

I've been using SPDs since the mid '90's; and for almost as long: the "Big Meat"/LeWedge systems of cleat wedges/cants. For convenience, all my bikes have the spd-compatible pedals. But I have been thinking about trying the Crank Bros. pedals. Does anyone know if these LeWedge systems can be used with cleats other than Look/SPD/SPD-R?

I went clipless last December and they are great. I got the Shimano M520 pedals (SPD) they are double sided and easy in and out. Paired them with Answer Flatfoot shoes (they look like board shoes and are quite walkable). Moved these to my new road bike but am thinking of getting the A520s for the road bike and moving the M520s back to the MTB.

Crank Bros cleats are compatible with SPD Cleat Mounting points and can be used with Road shoes if you mount the Crank Bros road cleats you can buy separately. The Standard cleats come with the pedals when you buy them.

I've been using SPDs since the mid '90's; and for almost as long: the "Big Meat"/LeWedge systems of cleat wedges/cants. For convenience, all my bikes have the spd-compatible pedals. But I have been thinking about trying the Crank Bros. pedals. Does anyone know if these LeWedge systems can be used with cleats other than Look/SPD/SPD-R?

Thanks Tom!

I ride egg beaters on my MTB and candies on my roadbike. I would recommend it to anyone.

I just switched to Candies on my Hybrid and I really like them. I think I will put them on my road bike and mountain bike as well.

Left Clipless...

I used to use SPD, but since becoming a daily commuter who refuses to dress in anything else that what I'm gonna wear for the day, I took the Welgos off for cheap platforms. It's not that I don't like clipless, but I don't care to always have to change back and forth out of my shoes everyday. I guess I could put them on for my weekend rides, but I just don't notice that much of a difference to bother...

+ 1.

best part about clipless pedals part is the falling down in public

best part about clipless pedals part is the falling down in public

Yup...I can personally attest to that. :o

i use cheap wellgo spd compatible "moutain" pedals, however they're the same spd pedals that bianchi uses on some of their road bikes when they're stock. i've used the eggbeaters, however with riding fixed gear i'm already cautious of ground clearance(you can't coast at all, so turns are a bit different than with a freewheel), and the eggbeaters or other crank bros would decrease my clearance, plus i'm worried about snapping parts of the mech off if i did hit the ground or if i got pinched into a curb by a car or something. i like the cheap wellgos actually, and i get them cheap from my lbs(usually about $15-$20, when someone buys a bike that comes with them but wants different pedals he charges them the difference but can't sell them as "new" so he saves them for me.)
i've got specialized mountain sport shoes for 99% of my riding, and i also have a set of carnac road shoes that i love to ride in but HATE walking in(on carpet is fine but anything else sucks)
i've been riding clipless for a while and won't go back unless it's for a grocery getting beach cruiser or something. and oddly enough they're actually safer than clips and straps.

Had several BAD experiences going clipless with my MTB, but a must for my road bike with no bad experiences as yet. The increase in power and performance is undeniable based on my own experience.
Crank bros candy c pedals, Lake MTB shoes work best for me.
Good luck on your choice and I suspect you'll be amazed at the performance increase once the fear of being clipped in subsides.......