Originally Posted by
IAmSam
There are are not very many kinds of clipless pedals I haven't used over the years but Time is one of them so I have no input to give about them and maybe should not even be commenting here...
But what the hell…I use single-sided roadie clipless pedals on my road-going bikes, including fixed, and I just do not get the constant refrain in this group that they are more difficult to live with than double-sided pedals or "are kind of a pain when riding in the city."
In fact my older Campag-branded Looks that are likely the same as the OP's pedals that he seems not to like much...have been my personal favorite pedals for years. Adjusted right they're easy to get in or out of and I've never accidentally pulled out; and they provide a nice stable spinning and climbing platform with the red 9 degree float cleats that I use. The only bad thing about them is that they are showing their age and I want to preserve them - so now I only use them for vintage-oriented rides and events.
Even their daily-ride replacement Mavic roadie pedals are no trouble whatsoever. It’s kinda like riding a fixed bike instead of a SS...just takes a bit of coordination and few seconds to get used to and you (or should I say I?) never really have to give it a second thought
I totally agree with you on many of your points. I was in the same boat as you. Yeah, most likely we ran/run the same pedals...I have the Shimano DA 7401. It wasn't until recently that I saw the same pedal with a Campy logo. I agree in the sense they have awesome float with the red cleats, easy to get in and out of, lock you in securely, easy to rebuild/clean, etc..
The only time I despise them is riding in the city. It's ride one block, stop sign, unclip, reclip, ride one block, etc.. I can do it quickly most of the time but it's that 10-15% of the time when I'm trying to clip-in and find myself pushing into an upside down pedal. I run a 65/66 gear inches since I have tons of hills....so even at a 5-10mph, the pedals are really spinning and I'm trying to clip in with traffic around me. It doesn't help that the back side is smooth so if they are upside down, it's easy to slide your foot off the side in road shoes especially when leaving a green light on an uphill.
I'm sure that seemed a bit drama-queenish but it's just a pain in stop/go traffic with high cadence gearing. Double sided is just so much easier to do constant clip-in/outs under stress. Just wished the Shimano's had more float.
On regular casual riding days or longer rides on paved bike trails, the 7401's are a dream and couldn't be easier.