Originally Posted by
baldilocks
Have any of you started using clipless in pedals late in life? I was considering Shimano PD-M324 SPD Dual Platform Pedal. As a young man buying a mountain bike, the sales man talked me out of clipless and into a half clips, and I have used them since then. At age 51 is it too late to teach a old dog new tricks? I only commute 5 miles a day, but would like to do do some bike over-nighter's and maybe touring someday. Also do any of you use clippless on technical trails, or should I stick to sneakers? Thanks in advance for all your answers.
IMO, the M324 is the perfect pedal for transitioning to SPD. I have a pair that is currently on my wife's vintage road bike. Previously, it was on my hybrid, then on my road bike. It comes with the silver cleats, which are easier for beginners to use. (easier clipping in and out than the black cleats, though both are SPD cleats) And the flat side is nice and grippy for when you need to use flat pedals and if you somehow don't clip in cleanly, you can ride it a few rotations while you flip the pedal over to the SPD side.
Wellgo, Performance, and Nashbar sell a knockoff of the M324 that will also work. I have a couple of the Wellgo M324 knockoffs. They work well, but are not as nicely finished as the Shimano.