Teon

Yea, I know there have already been a few discusssions on clipless pedals, and I have read them with great interest......but here's my questions on the whole matter....

So I have gotten my old 87 Schwinn going decent for riding....waiting for the parts to come in to do a full front and rear overhaul.....but in the meantime, it's certainly rideable.....

So I was coming home tonight on the bike, on the last half of my ride(a short one by comparitive standards, as I have just renewed my love of road biking).....and I am biking into a really nasty headwind coming home. (Usually I have a headwind going out, and a tailwind coming back.....but not tonight)

And I am thinking, while I am toiling away on my stock platform pedals.....'well crap, maybe I should reinstall the clipons that I took off, as they sure would be handy about now'.....

And then I started thinking about clipless.....

I am a COMPLETE noob at anything like that.....

I was looking at the Shimano M324 because it had platform sides along with clipless....and MT42 shoes......

Anyways, any suggestions for a complete noob to this clipless stuff? I plan to reinstall the clips on my old bike for now, as they'll be better than nothing in a headwind.....but am wondering about switching to clipless and what others might suggest.....sure would have come in handy today against that nasty headwind this evening.....

Basically...what are the best pedals/shoes for a total noob to learn on? I am just now beginning to learn that being more efficient with pedal energy is a very good thing........(my apologies, as it's been quite some time since I have been on a road bike)

Thanks in advance!

P.S. If I decide to go to clipless, should I get one of those big sumo foam costumes for the first week or so, so that I'll bounce when I tip over when I forget to unclip?

pastorbobnlnh 

I have Shimano SPD pedals on all of my bikes, vintage, somewhat old, and new. I love the way the cleat recesses into the sole of the shoe and is out of the way for walking. If you can, try to go to an LBS and try on various SPD shoes until you find the most comfortable ones. I'm using an older version of this Bontrager shoe at the moment.

Pompiere

I resisted the movement to clipless pedals until this year, when i really needed to replace my old Avocet Touring shoes. I bought a pair of Bontrager Street shoes, since they had a recessed cleat and fairly smooth bottom, so that I could still use toe clips. At first I tried riding with toe clips but the shoe was a bit thicker and didn't fit very well. So I bought an inexpensive pair of pedals to test the waters, not knowing what to expect. I have to say, that I have been very pleased. Clipping in has been very easy, basically just step on the pedal and go. I have double sided pedals and the dust seal is snug so they don't flop around. Getting out takes a deliberate effort, but if you already uses toe clips, it is just a slight change to the movement that you already are used to. I took the experts advice and backed the tension off, and I don't see why I would want it any tighter. I have several degrees of float, but my foot is secure unless I make the extra effort to clip out. I haven't fallen over yet, and I am wondering if most of the people who do fall are going from having no restraint at all to clipless pedals. I put the pedals on my Miyata 310, but I will be investing in some more for my other bikes.

Teon

I like the looks/functionality of that shoe. I'll take your advice and run into the lbs and check some of the shoes out. Thanks!

Teon

Does it take long to get used to having your feet in one position on the pedals? I notice that my size 12 feet move around quite a bit on the pedals when I am riding, so I imagine it would take a bit for me to get used to clipless.

atmdad

If you were looking at the M324, take a look at the M424 pedals. You can clip in both sides and the platform is just fine either side. I put about 30 miles on a bike with these in regular running shoes last week with no problem.

As far as getting used to keeping your feet in one position, personally I don't think so maybe a day or a good ride, and I think it's more efficient than having your feet sliding all over the pedal. Just remember to clip out before you come to a stop until you can trackstand.

Chombi

It seems that many people still make a big deal about transitioning from clipped pedals to clipless. It should really just take about a day or two of riding to get used to them. You can start out slow in an area without too much car, bicycle and pedestrian traffic like an office park on a Sunday. A wide sidewalk with grass on both sides (to possibly soften any falls) would be a good place to do your first rides with them. Once you get used to clipping and unclipping from them you will wurely ask yourself why you waited so long to go clipless, as I suspect millions did with their first clipless set on their bikes. Once youre used to them you would not even have to think about clipping them on and off and the action will feel very natural/intuitive.
Look clipless pedals is a good brand as they pretty much invented the modern clipless pedals, so they have the reliability and toughness of a Toyota. You can also save some buck and start with brands from a big bicycle retailer like PBS. Their stuff is usually about half the cost of Look equivalents, plus I think that their cleats might still work with look pedals if you decide to upgrade later.

Chombi

Beach Comber

I use SPD-SLs (Shimano's version of the look). I like the platform size, they are comfortable, good lateral float, and its no big deal to carry a set of boat shoes with me if I riding and intending on walking.