Clipless pedals

[Mera'Din]

Okay, so I am thinking about making the switch to clipless pedals. What are your thoughts? I know absolutely nothing about these. I have seen the specs and see many different options. One that intrigues me is the float, what is that about?

I mainly ride with the family on my hybrid but I do ride alone once a week for speed (as fast as I can go on my hybrid at least). What is a good setup for comfort, cost, and performance? Or should I just stick with a set of clips?

[masiman]

Clipless are great. I'd have my kids wear them for longer rides but they don't make shoes that small.

Float is a method of allowing the foot to rotate without releasing from the pedal. There are even some pedals that allow for not only angular float but also lateral float. Float was desired due to the tendency to injure knees from improper positioning when cleats used to be nailed to the shoe.

I'd go with clips, they are a very different experience. Because it sounds like you want to do both street shoe and cycling shoe riding, you may be best served by the dual sided SPD pedals. You likely will not want to put clips on them and will be without their benefit when riding in street shoes but you will have real clipless available to you. If you decide that you really want to do clipless, you can get dedicated clipless pedals and use touring type shoes that are much more comfortable for short walking than road racing type shoes.

[Longfemur]

The ideal pedal for a recreational/fitness rider is Shimano SPD, the mountain bike kind (even for a hybrid or road bike). Get the model that is SPD on one side, and ordinary pedal on the other. Then you have the best of both worlds. These work very nicely. Also make sure you get the multi-release cleat (it may be optional now, not sure). And when you buy them, you will need to back off on the tension so you can get in and out very easily while remaining secure when pedaling clipped in.

If you're afraid of looking like a newbie, don't worry about it. I've been riding road bikes for going on 40 years, and I use those on my otherwise all-custom all-Italian lugged steel road bike.

Once you try a setup like this, it's really hard to go back to ordinary pedals or to toe clips. Also very affordable, but of very high Shimano quality. Some might dispute my use of these on a road bike, but sometimes I just want to ride casually. But they are certainly just the ticket for a hybrid or even a touring bike.

[Andy_K]

If I may offer a somewhat contrary opinion.... I use clipless pedals on my road bike for commuting (my ride is 11 miles each way), but I have a hybrid that I ride when it rains but also use for recreational rides with the family. In the winter (when it always rains) I use clipless on that one too and swap out the pedals for platforms on the off chance that I'm out with the family. In the summer, I keep platforms on it because it's mainly going to be used for the recreational rides.

The problem with clipless is that when you're going slow and stopping a lot, you spend too much time clipping in and out for them to be worthwhile. Now, if you're family doesn't go slow and stop a lot, you may be OK with clipless, but if they do, platforms are handy.

If you really want to try clipless, then I concur with the opinion that the two-sided pedals are the way to go. And if you really, really want to go clipless and throw caution to the wind, check out Crank Brothers Eggbeaters, which are nice because you don't have to worry about having the right side up. I haven't tried the two-sided myself, but I hear that no matter which side you're using the wrong side is always up. :)

[st0ut]

i am used to clipless and was on my wife flat pedeled bikes crossing an intersection my foot slipped off the pedel. i landed hard enough on my heel to bruse my heel and achellis thru a pair of murell adventere shoes.

I will be the duel sided on my next bike

[Longfemur]

The problem of which side is up is a myth with the Shimanos. If you use the pedals that are SPD on both sides, then you just step down and you're in no matter what. If you use the pedals that are SPD on one side and regular pedal on the other, you quickly figure out that unless the bearings are too tight, they always go to rest the exact same way, with the "platform" side in front and the SPD side down and towards the rear. So when you want to clip in from a stop, you just move your foot forward as you slide into the mechanism.

[wb647]

I have a hybrid and often I'm pulling an Adams TAB. I also use my bike for commuting. I opted for the best of both worlds- Crank Brothers Mallets. They are a platform pedal with an egg beater in the middle, so it doesn't matter which side is up. For short trips, I can wear regular shoes, but its nice to have the extra control for longer rides (and dragging the TAB) I can wear my fancy clip-in shoes.

[Mera'Din]

You don't feel the bars under your feet when you pedal?

Also, are cycling specific shoes more ridgid, is that why they are more efficient? What about walking around with the shoes? Our ride usually takes us to soecific desinations, like a park, a cafe, etc...

[st0ut]

You don't feel the bars under your feet when you pedal?
No

Also, are cycling specific shoes more ridgid, is that why they are more efficient? What about walking around with the shoes? Our ride usually takes us to soecific desinations, like a park, a cafe, etc...
Yes they are more ridgid. my MTB shoes where better then my road shoes. I carry a pair of sandel when i use those so i can walk better and not look so outlandish.

[masiman]

You don't feel the bars under your feet when you pedal?

Also, are cycling specific shoes more ridgid, is that why they are more efficient? What about walking around with the shoes? Our ride usually takes us to soecific desinations, like a park, a cafe, etc...

I am not sure what scenario you mean by bars under your feet. If you are talking about riding on clipless pedals with street shoes, yes you will feel the mechanism. If you are talking about riding with clipless cycling shoes on clipless pedals, most likely not. There are some shoes that do not do as well as others at isolating your feet from the pedal mechanism. Better cycling shoes use a plate to isolate the sole of the foot. Sometimes they make that plate out of plastic which does not do always do a good job.

Because of the stiff plate in the shoe, the shoes are not as comfortable as street shoes for walking around. Add to that the slight protrusion of the cleat and you have a metal part that can be easy to slip on. I would walk carefully on slick surfaces. I would also avoid walking on expensive surfaces such as wood and polished stone floors. If you plan to do a lot of walking, taking along a pair of non riding shoes is a good idea. Crocs or something else lightweight and packable work well.

[wb647]

You don't feel the bars under your feet when you pedal?

Also, are cycling specific shoes more ridgid, is that why they are more efficient? What about walking around with the shoes? Our ride usually takes us to soecific desinations, like a park, a cafe, etc...

With my Crank Bros Mallets, I can tell the egg beater is there when wearing tennis shoes. I base my decision on wearing my clip in shoes on what is the primary activity: If I'm biking a mile to the grocery store and going to be walking around the store for a while, I'll opt to wear regular shoes. If I'm going on a longer bike ride (and dragging a TAB), I'll wear my clip-in shoes. I also bike commute, and wear my clip in shoes to get to work only because I have to change shoes once I'm there anyway. That way, if I'm running late I can make better time, and on my way home when I'm dog tired I can be more efficient.

[gregam]

+1 :thumb:

[DieselDan]

I don't think about clipless. I just do clipless.

[ijgrant]

If you aren't traveling too fast, and are stopping frequently, Clipless might not be a good match for you. You'll find yourself unclipping far to often.

If you do switch, give it a few weeks. You'll fall a few times, then It'll feel like second nature.

[jaxgtr]

The Shimano M324 is a great pedal for clipless or regular shoes.

[Mera'Din]

What about float? I have looked at the forte campus pedal on sale right now through performance. Is this a good pedal? It has 4 degress of float, will this be too restrictive and hurt my knees?

[masiman]

4 deg. is probably fine. By comparison, my two different pedal systems have 5 deg. I think there are different SPD's pedals with 6 deg.

If you need alot of float, SpeedPlay would be your best choice. They have adjustable float to 15 deg. They can be odd feeling at first as the float is free and it feels like you are slipping on ice. As opposed to other pedal systems which are self centering.

Crank Bros has at least one model, Quattro, that has a large float range. I am not familiar with them though. I am not sure if they are self centering or free float.

Release angle is another measure. Most release in the 10-15 deg range. I think the Speedplay release is based on the float value.

You may want to consider the walkability of the cleat system is your decision. Most walkable cleats are SPD, Time and Crank Bros.

Other cleat option include:
Look
Speedplay
Time road

Some of the manufacturers have two or more cleat systems. You'll probably be in the SPD, Time or Crank camp. Those Forte's are an SPD compatible pedal.

[andrelam]

The Shimano M324 is a great pedal for clipless or regular shoes.

+1. I just bought these for my hybrid that I use for commuting. I bought a road bike this Spring for fair weather riding and bought Shimano SPD pedals for it and new shoes. That was the perfect excust to upgrade the hybid. I considered the Forte Campus pedals, but there were various reviews that questioned the over all durability of the Forte. Shimano makes very good quality gear. Last week Performance has M423 on sale about $5 off, then I used the 20% off coupon that was good on one item. At that point the price was about the same as the Forte, so I went what what is known to be good quality. The pedals work very nicely.

As a side note I am very happy I went with SPD clips. It is nice to be off the bike and be able to walk normally! The slight enhanced performance with the road clips would not matter for the kind of riding I do.

Happy riding,
André

[avmanansala]

Take a look at the Shimano PD-M324, PD-A530 and the M424.

They will all accept SPD mountain cleats and regular shoes.

I use dual sided Shimano PD-M520 pedals (no platform) and am considering a pair of A530 pedals. I like mountain bike shoes (Keen also have a sandal that accept SPD cleats).

[referee54]

The Shimano M324 is a great pedal for clipless or regular shoes.

I like 'em, too---I have them and use Shimano MT41G's for the shoes.

Tim C.

[That Guy]

I wouldn't worry too much about clipping and un-clipping frequently, unless you'll be doing it every 20 feet or so. With the tension at minimum and the cleats clean, it literally takes 2 seconds per foot. It's really very fast; catch the leading edge and press down... "click" and you're done. Its a single motion.

You'll want really to consider what kind of shoes you'll be using and the platform of the pedal. Softer soled shoes will be more comfy to walk in, but less efficient at putting down power, so you'll want a larger pedal platform. A stiffer shoe will be more comfy riding, but less so at walking, and you can get away with a smaller platform pedal. As an example, road shoes usually have an extremely stiff sole (non-bendable), a huge cleat, and a large platform pedal. As a result, there is nearly no flex in the pedal system and all the power gets transferred to the crank. You'll ride faster and longer with less fatigue.

I'd say if you're going to do recreational riding, pick up a pair of cheap SPD style two-sided pedals and inexpensive shoes. Stretch your dollar and get 'em on sale; brand is completely irrelevant. Set the float to max, the tension to minimum, and go for a ride to get used to them. Riding will never be the same again.

Chris

[RonH]

Hybrid? Get either Candy (http://www.crankbrothers.com/candy.php) pedals or Eggbeater (http://www.crankbrothers.com/eggbeater.php) pedals.
They work with any shoe that has the 2-hole (SPD) pattern.

[Genn75]

Okay. I too am contemplating on switching to clipless. After reading this thread and my husband's constant nagging, I decided to do it. I read on one of the previous posts about the dual sided pedal. Specifically the Shimano PD A530. I found a pair for 65 bucks. What do you guys think? Too much pedal for a newbie? good price? Any opinions would be great!

[Genn75]

I couldn't wait any longer for someone to reply. So I went ahead and bought the pedals on ebay for 65.00 dollars w/shipping. I looked on other sites and the price was almost $90. I hope I made the right decision. My next step is finding the right shoe. I was looking at the Shimano SH-WM40. Opinions?

[masiman]

Hmmm, 12:30 in the morning and after 40 minutes you couldn't wait anymore? Lol, sounds like impulse control problems.

Given the price, I am thinking you bought these PD A530's (http://www.bikesomewhere.com/bikesomewhere.cfm/product/18/97/21890?g=1). My guess is that this is an older version of the pedal since I could not find that many of this type, but instead found alot of this version of the PD A530 (http://brandscycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=9825) for ~$85.

If you did get the first one, I will assume that it is not what you are looking for. I.e. it is dual sided, but dual in the fact that it is clipless on both sides. The second version does have both a platform and a clipless side.

On another note. These are expensive versions of dual sided pedals. You can get some like these (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000108&subcategory=60001078&brand=&sku=6223&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20ATB%20Clipless%20Pedals)for ~$35. Occasionally they are on sale for 20-25.

[Genn75]

Thanks for the reply masiman. The version that I bought was the 2008. The one that retails for $85 and is clipless on one side and a platform on the other. I read that shimano's are a very reliable and good quality brand. Thanks again for the info.