Originally Posted by
northtexasbiker
This may be a stupid question but can you ride with tennis shoes on an SPD-SL pedal? I am just starting out and thinking of going clipless, but don't want to have to wear cycling shoes if I am just cruising around the neighborhood with my kids.
It's possible, but I don't enjoy it. I'd rather swap pedals or just keep two bikes around, one with clipless, one with platforms.
Originally Posted by
philbob57
Those who ride modern clipless pedals are vulnerable to messing up their knees if the cleat adjustment is wrong, and they're vulnerable to inability to get out of the pedals at a crucial time. I'm pretty adaptable, but I never could get used to the SPD pedals I tried. I fell half a dozen times in about 500 miles; I fell once using slotted cleats/quill pedals for years.
I went on my first real ride with clipless and didn't fall even once. I was so excited when I got home I was planning to tell my wife about it. As I came to a stop I had a nagging feeling that there was something I was forgetting. I thought "Shut down Strava? Turn off the bike light? Open the garage door? Oh wait, the pedals!" as I toppled over into the garbage can.
But that was it. After that I remembered and didn't fall anymore. Quick study, I am.
And they never messed up my knees.
Originally Posted by
philbob57
If you've already made your choice, great - ride what you like. I would appreciate your not telling me to go clipless myself, though.
Do people really tell you what kind of pedals to use?