Hybrid Bicycles - Unsure about going clipless

Hi guys,

I've been back riding for about 6 months now and am becoming more and more addicted as the days go by.

I've already upgraded my bike and am now looking to swap from platform to clipless pedals...only issue is I'm a little scared!

Just as I start to think "yep...I'm buying them today" I hit a little bit of mud, my bike slips to one side and i swing both feet off the pedals to regain balance. Then I think "nope...I'd have been screwed there with clipless".

Am I being a big softy here...?

Do any of you guys have clipless on your hybrids?

I guess I want someone to talk me into going clipless...

YES you are being a big softy in my book, BUT it is YOU that must feel safe using them.

I use Shimano PD-M540 SPD pedals on my Hybrid, my Touring road and my Fixed Gear Bike (all self built). The only bike I don’t use them on is my Mountain Bike (Trail Rider) for the reason you suggested. Getting used to them is quite easy and has become second nature to mounting and dismounting. The Cleat tension is adjustable with this model, so it takes very minimal effort to release from them. I feel more secure using them. Try riding with them initially on a grass field in case you fall. You will quickly get the feel for them.

Hope my thoughts help

I use the Shimano PD-M520 (almost like the PD-M540) on both my hybrid and my road bike so that I don't have to learn two ways of clipping in and don't have to use different shoes. The thing I like about the M520 pedal is that you have clips on both sides so you don't have to flip the pedal, as you do a road pedal, if the clip is on the bottom. They are very fast to clip in and out of. I actually put the pedals on my road bike first but didn't ride it until I was satisfied that I could clip in and out without thinking. I learned to do that on platform pedals on the hybrid. Every time I started coming to a stop, I would twist my foot out and simulate clipping out. When I started up again, I would simulate clipping in. I did this each time I stopped, slowed down to an almost stop or made a U-turn before I actually clipped in on the road bike. I have only fallen twice because of the clipless pedals, but it wasn't because I forgot to unclip.

I also have a pair of Decksters that I bought which is an aluminum platform pedal that you screw cleats on the bottom and you clip them in when you want to ride a platform pedal and clip them out when you don't. You can also make your own out of plywood, a set of cleats and some self-sticking non-skid material.

I am a total klutz. Years ago I tried every kind of pedals imaginable and managed to fall over in just about all of them and never felt particularly safe. Then I met the speed play frogs. I have never fell, never felt unable to unclip, never freaked at an intersection. I can not ride for a couple of years and then hop on a bike with frogs and still feel comfortable. Lots of people love SPD and learn to use them easily but I never managed so I will stick with my frogs on both my road bike and my hybrid.

Hi guys,

I've been back riding for about 6 months now and am becoming more and more addicted as the days go by.

I've already upgraded my bike and am now looking to swap from platform to clipless pedals...only issue is I'm a little scared!

Just as I start to think "yep...I'm buying them today" I hit a little bit of mud, my bike slips to one side and i swing both feet off the pedals to regain balance. Then I think "nope...I'd have been screwed there with clipless".

Am I being a big softy here...?

Do any of you guys have clipless on your hybrids?

I guess I want someone to talk me into going clipless...

The first time I went clipless I had similar thoughts but went with them anyway and now would never go back. Also I dont recommend pedals with straps and wearing laceup shoes as there more likely to get stuck.

Every time I started coming to a stop, I would twist my foot out and simulate clipping out. When I started up again, I would simulate clipping in. I did this each time I stopped, slowed down to an almost stop or made a U-turn before I actually clipped in on the road bike.

I'm doing sort of the same thing. But my approach is to try not to take my feet off the pedals. I.e. go slow up to lights to time them, try to lean on poles, etc...I guess its just a habit like any other.

I went into town at lunch time and wouldn't you know it they're out of stock of the pedals I wanted.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SHIMANO-Deore-XT-PD-M785-SPD-Trail-Pedals-/310321933031

Looks like its off to the online stores I go..

I resisted going clipless for a long time. Then I tried the Shimano PD-A530 SPD. I've got a hybrid bike, why not a hybrid pedal? When I'm in an area where I might have to stop suddenly, I use the platform side of the pedal. The clipless side is easy to engage and you can adjust the tension so clipping out is effortless. I've had them for a month now and no falls yet. The efficiency you gain with the clipless pedals is substantial, and once you've gotten used to them there's no going back.

Go clipless, fall over your first time out like everyone else. Then fall in love and never go back

I have a Giant Rapid 3---I went with the Shimano PD-M520 and use Pearl Izumi X-alp Enduro II shoes. I started out with 540's on my Faleigh C-200 bike, but I sold that and decided, since I never used the platform side anymore, to go with the M520's. I love them and would nver consider going back to platforms.

I've got a pair of Shimano PD-M515s which I've owned for about 7 years and have had on no fewer than 4 different bikes. They work well, and I've never fallen using them, even when I first started using them.

I've got clipless on three of my bikes. On two of them I've got the dual sided pedals so I can still wear regular shoes if I'm in the mood. I've yet to fall, however early on I did have a couple of "OS" moments at stops where I thought I was going down but managed to get my feet out in time.

I'll be the voice of dissent on one thing, however: I really don't notice a whole lot of difference in performance between clipless and plain platforms. It is nice to be able to both pull and push on hills, but the flip side is my feet get a little sore on long rides 'cause I can't move them around as much. I use them, but I've never had the "wow, what a difference!" experience like many people report.

I don't run clipless on my winter bike for two reasons. First, I like to wear my hiking boots when the snow is deep or it's below 0. Second, it's not uncommon to suddenly hit a patch of something and need to suddenly get your foot down, which is a lot trickier to do with clipless.

I bought clipless pedals for the first time last year, Shimano M540s. I have them set as loose as they go and I never pull out of them when I don't want to and yet I have several times yanked my feet free in a panic to avoid a fall. It was a good choice for me and it is for most though not all. I think you can learn to steer out of a rear wheel slip (at least I presume that is what I do, I certainly cannot put my feet out while clipped in) and while being clipped in forces you to do that, learning first might avoid a fall.

Ken

Go clipless, fall over your first time out like everyone else. Then fall in love and never go back

+1

Don't let fear stop you from going clipless, you'll get used to them quickly. I however have gone back to platform pedals for their convenience. For most of us BTW I don't think there is that much of a performance plus with clipless. But give them a try, decide for your self

2 weeks after getting my Crosstrail Sport I ordered Shimano PD-M520's. Not bad for starter clipless pedals. They work great! Oh and this was my first time riding with clipless pedals. I had the same doubts about doing it, too, but decided to go for it. I ride mostly trails and some pavement and noticed a big improvement.

Think about getting clipless one side and platform on the other. This will help out if you decide some days you just want to cruise around and not want to wear your biking shoes.

I prefer toe clips. I wear the shoes I want, can get out of them quickly and without thought, and I believe they are nearly as efficient for the casual rider like me. I've used toe clips for something close to 40 years and have no desire to change. About the only people who benefit from clipless are the racer types IMO.

I appreciate the Rivendell take on biking shoes and clipless pedals.

So I bought these pedals:

http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/pedals/mountain/product.-code-PD-M530.-type-.pd_mountain.html

I looked at the XTR (AUD$192) and the XT (AUD$111) and these looked exactly the same for $40. Easy choice for my needs really.

They have a clip on both sides. I saw some with a clip on one side and a platform on the other...but I didn't want to be fumbling around trying to flick the pedal around when I'm trying to take off... I figure if I'm going clipless I'll go clipless!

Just got to wait for the shoes to come in now...very narrow selection in my size.

Actually just on that. I'm a size 46 (US13) in every single shoe I own - from sneakers to work shoes to boots to slippers to ugg boots...but it seems I'm a size 49 in cycling shoes...very odd and quite annoying. Considering sizes stop at a 48 in most shoes! I thought shoe sizes were standardised about 30 years ago.