General Cycling Discussion - Clip less pedals for total Newb

I have just recently started biking for exercise and commuting to work 15 miles RT. I am considering getting clip less pedals, I am looking at the Shimano Pd-m520 or the 540.

Is there any significant difference between the two, should I just get the 540 right out of the gate? Any advice to keep from falling, or is it a right of passage? I'm 6'6" and on top of a bike it's a long way down LOL.

Thanks

Sorry, I thought that you were comparing SPD-M520s to SPD-SL R540s. Since they're priced in the same range. I realized after re-reading it that you were referring to the $100 SPD-M540s.

Lord have mercy if you started with toe clips first. I had the hardest time converting my brain from pulling my foot back to twisting foot sideways. Luckily you will more than likely be going slow if any problems:lol:Becomes second nature in no time.

I switched to clipless from toe clips about 4 years ago. I love them for street use, didn't take long to get used to them. Can not get comfortable with them on my mountain bike. Might go back to flat pedals. Using Crank Bros Candy-Cs on both.

Lord have mercy if you started with toe clips first. I had the hardest time converting my brain from pulling my foot back to twisting foot sideways. Luckily you will more than likely be going slow if any problems:lol:Becomes second nature in no time.

No, going from flat pedals to clip less.

If you think that you are doomed to fall over if you use clipless pedals, that increases your risk. (Self-fulfilling prophecy.)
Think positive!

Think positive! While you are falling and yell Oh S***

Think positive! While you are falling and yell Oh S***

Yes! You got it!

if you pay $100 for 540s I want to do some business with you... My wife has 520s and I have 540s. They both work fine.

Buy the 520s. I don't think the 540s have much to offer for the higher price. I like my 520s.

Think positive! While you are falling and yell Oh S***

Ha ha!

if you pay $100 for 540s I want to do some business with you... My wife has 520s and I have 540s. They both work fine.

?????
i didn't mention a price, is that a bad price?

So do you also recommend he 520's?

Buy the 520s. I don't think the 540s have much to offer for the higher price. I like my 520s.

Thanks! I am looking at the 520's closer. If they are pretty much he same, I don't see a need or the 540

No, going from flat pedals to clip less.


Think positive! While you are falling and yell Oh S***

Why leave rlatform pedals unless you are taking up bicycle racing??

Not to smart............

I have just recently started biking for exercise and commuting to work 15 miles RT. I am considering getting clip less pedals, I am looking at the Shimano Pd-m520 or the 540.

Is there any significant difference between the two, should I just get the 540 right out of the gate? Any advice to keep from falling, or is it a right of passage? I'm 6'6" and on top of a bike it's a long way down LOL.

Thanks

Go with the 520. It's a little heavier but not by much and it has pedal wrench flats on the pedal for installation. The 540 uses an 8mm allen for installation and has to be screwed in from the back of the crank. It's not that big of a deal but they are more of a hassle to install.

As for falling, get multirelease cleats and set the tension on the pedals loose. Then go practice on somewhere away from traffic until you are comfortable with them. It shouldn't take very long. If you really want to learn fast put them on a mountain bike and go off-road. You'll quickly find that you are out of them before you even think about it because rocks hurt to fall on:thumb:

But to be honest, it's not that hard to learn how to use them. Most people crash with them at slow speeds and when they fail to anticipate stops. Clip out before you get to the stop and you'll be fine. Learn how to do a track stand and you'll be even better.

Mprelaw said they were $100. I didn't pay anywhere near that at an LBS. Don't listen to Nightshade. He's, um, uh, a little out of the mainstream on this. I would agree with most of what cyco said, except that I do think the multi release are a little unsafe if you ride singletrack or do any climbing, just cause they can release too easily.

Mprelaw said they were $100. I didn't pay anywhere near that at an LBS. Don't listen to Nightshade. He's, um, uh, a little out of the mainstream on this. I would agree with most of what cyco said, except that I do think the multi release are a little unsafe if you ride singletrack or do any climbing, just cause they can release too easily.

The M540 are around $100. The M520 can be found for around $40.

The easy release of the multirelease is the point for newbies. I usually use the single release type but for someone new to clipless, the multis are easier to use.

The multi release is what I was using when I tested the theory that you would automatically unclip after t-boning a car, and before flying over the hood. It worked. Is there a sadist in the crowd that I shold perform the same experiment on other types?

Why leave rlatform pedals unless you are taking up bicycle racing??

Not to smart............

Fair question.
1st, my Doc says it will help with my knees.
2nd, I may be wrong here, but I thought it works a whole other muscle set by being ale to pull up on the pedal?
3rd, I want to see if I can be more efficient?

I don't do much climbing, I'm in central FL, so not many hills. Thanks for all the advice, I will post back with what I choose after I get back from vacation. Again, thanks for the advice!

I just got some new 540's with cleats for $45 on ebay. Saw them elsewhere online for about 50-60. 100 is a rip-off.

M540 $51.99 http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_197373_-1___202530
M520 $31.99 http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_197367_-1___202530

How about something with a fat platform? I started with Crank Brothers Mallets with the notion that if I wasn't clipped in right away, I could still pedal safely enough. Pretty important at all the stoplights in town.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_506612_-1___202530
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_197362_-1___202530
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_175197_-1___202530

My vote among those three would be the first, the Time pedals. There are some others besides those, too.

Ergon pedals are a contour shape, they work well to consistently locate
your foot centered on the pedal, without fixing mechanically.

Fair question.
1st, my Doc says it will help with my knees.
2nd, I may be wrong here, but I thought it works a whole other muscle set by being ale to pull up on the pedal?
3rd, I want to see if I can be more efficient?

Fair enough. I never would have guessed that a doctor would suggest that clipless would be helpful.

Fair enough. I never would have guessed that a doctor would suggest that clipless would be helpful.

That's because you have a strange and irrational prejudice against clipless pedals.

That's because you have a strange and irrational prejudice against clipless pedals.

And he feels compelled to interject it into every thread about clipless pedals. :rolleyes:

You know its one thing in cycling I have never fancied trying is clipless pedals. I just use flat pedals with touring shoes and a small toe type clip (no straps or anything) and it works great for me.

On my mountain bike I just use flat pedals and old stiff trainers and that also works great....

Maybe missing something but never really wanted my feet locked to a pedal

You know its one thing in cycling I have never fancied trying is clipless pedals. I just use flat pedals with touring shoes and a small toe type clip (no straps or anything) and it works great for me.

On my mountain bike I just use flat pedals and old stiff trainers and that also works great....

Maybe missing something but never really wanted my feet locked to a pedal

That IS a cool story.

That's because you have a strange and irrational prejudice against clipless pedals.


And he feels compelled to interject it into every thread about clipless pedals. :rolleyes:

Where does your right to state your opinion stop and mine right to state mine begin?

I just took a lopsided loaded bike (one pannier) through loose sand today wearing clipless. The bike would snap over in the blink of an eye. That said, I got my foot out every time, in time. For all the worriers out there: I promise you, it becomes intuitive to clip out.

Where does your right to state your opinion stop and mine right to state mine begin?
Whenever you write a post. What's your opinion?

The multi release is what I was using when I tested the theory that you would automatically unclip after t-boning a car, and before flying over the hood. It worked. Is there a sadist in the crowd that I shold perform the same experiment on other types?

Works the same with toe clips and straps. But I prefer clip less now.

Where does your right to state your opinion stop and mine right to state mine begin?

You can spread your misinformed opinion all you want. I reserve the right to publicly disagree. That's kinda how it works.

Well, just an update. I bought the Shimano PD-M540's with the multi-directional release. Bike shop installed them and I practiced while leaning against his counter in the shop. Took it home practiced some more and went for a test ride. No falling!
Rode in to work on my normal commute, and didn't fall. I didn't notice a speed increase yet, except for climbing the small hill that's on my route.

I DEFINATLEY, noticed that it works a different muscle set, and also that I "feel" more connected to the bike.
I also was very comfortable with the release, and don't feel panicked, I feel confident that I can get out of them quickly if needed.

Thanks for all the replies, and help!