Clipless pedal questions
 

I have a bike that came with some Wellgo wpd-800 clipless pedals. The problem is I have no experience with clipless, and no cleats to use them anyway. Is it cheaper to just buy shoes, or can you buy new pedals and shoes as a combo for around the same?

I understand the benefits of attaching your foot to the pedal but I am don't know how practical it is for me. I will probably commute on this bike, so how practical are the shoes that work with these pedals? Or should I plan on keeping a set a regular pedas, then threading the clipless pedals in only when I plan a longer joy ride.

Those pedals are SPD-compatible, So you can get a pair of shoes and the cleats are very easy to find. If you bought the shoes and cleats at a bike shop, they would put cleats on for you. SPD cleats are designed to be recessed in the tread of the shoe, so you can walk pretty normally. In reality, my Shimano shoes with SPD cleats click a little when I walk. Also keep in mind that some cycling shoes have very stiff or even rigid soles, so they won't walk like a normal shoe. That being said, there are casual-styled cycling shoes that would probably work great for you. If you do go with a clipless setup, make sure the cleats are adjusted properly on your shoe, to keep your knees from being injured over time. Most clipless pedals have adjustable release tension, like ski bindings. Start with a nice low tension so you can get out of the pedals easily, then tighten it as you gain experience. Most important, practice getting out of the pedals on a nice grassy area, because forgetting to unclick is almost inevitable and you don't want to go down knee-first on pavement. I recommend you give clipless a try. Enjoy!

I went for the best of both worlds with platforms on one side and clipless on the other. I looked at a lot of pedals and decided on the Shimano PD-A530 SPD. They are a great looking pedal, well built. I just got my bike and there is too much salt on the roads right now for me wanting to ride my new bike, but I did use them on the platform side last week for about half a mile. They did fine. I finished dealing wiht all the details tonight on the bike and tried the clipless. I leaned up against the wall and figured out how to clip in.

With these dual pedals, I can jump on the bike and go where ever with whatever shoes I have on. When I go for a longer ride, I can put on the bike shoes.

The only thing you may need to get used to is that if the pedal flips to the side you don't want. It's not a big deal if you're familiar with flipping the pedal with your toe for toe clips.

http://www.shimano.com.au/publish/co...bm.512.384.gif

I like those shimano pedals. I saw them for 99.00 at Harris, anyone else know a good source for them?

I got mine at Universal Cycles with their price match of Amazon. I had them price match 3 items for me and I don't quite remember if they exactly hit the $68.55 of Amazon, but if they didn't hit it exactly for the pedals, they were real close. I'd rather give a bike shop a few more dollars than Amazon with a tad lower price. Universal also has good shipping rates and I got my order quick like.

Here's the link for Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Dual-P...1795294&sr=8-1

Make sure you use that link as Amazon also has the same exact pedals listed another time for $76.99.

If you choose to use Universal Cycles price match, here they are, then underneath the price is a "price match" link. Enter the info with the above Amazon URL and then Universal will send you an e-mail with the price match info and a code to enter when you check out at their web site to get the price match.

Cool, thanks for the info. I agree that I would rather give my money to a shop. I went to one of the local shops today and they were selling them for 100.00. They told me that their prices were fixed and that they could not match or lower. Not to slam that particular shop since they are usually pretty good, but 25-30 dollars is a big difference.

Matt

I haven't done the clipless thing before, but, I'm about to as soon I get my order from Universal Cycles. That's a big order, but, it's got in it Shimano PD-6610's that were on clearance for $62 (reg about $140). Now I just need some shoes, and that won't be too long. So this thread is good for me too.
Of course... the bike has to be done first...
-Gene-

Check here for some decent prices:
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk

I'd go ahead and just buy a pair of shoes before you buy new pedals. It's really easy (5-10 minutes of pedaling around?) to get used to clipless. It'll be easier to learn on the double-sided pedals (don't have to worry about flipping pedals over) and you won't have as much money invested if you don't like clipless.

I have clipless SPDs on my Merckx (don't shoot me!) and clips on my Olmo and Rauler. I use Shimano MTB shoes with a low profile/narrow toe box, and can therefore use them with all three bikes.

Mine are no longer made, but they're pretty similar to these...

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?ID=39466

I have those on my LHT. There is one other consideration with them though. The platform side seems about 1/2" farther from the saddle than the SPD side.

Ah hah, I figured there would be some sort of multi-tool trade off.

As others have mentioned, it won't take long to get used to clipless - and its nice to be able to lock in and release without having to reach down and tighten/loosen straps.

One thing to look for though is how much float your pedal provides your foot (without unclipping) - some people find the clipless a bit hard on the knees if the pedals don't have enough flexibility for their riding style.

Mark

Do you mean vertically? I would think so, just checking.



When I was leaning on the wall and clipped in, I could move my foot around more than I would think I should. I was locked into them. This is my first experience with clipless, so I don't quite know what to expect. I don't remember exactly, but I think I could pivot my foot 1/4" or so at the point of the cleat.

I have not ridden without some sort of mechanical foot-to-pedal fixture since I was a child. I finally took the plunge to clipless last year after two and half decades of toeclips. What did I learn?

I started with the SPD style cleat/pedal set-up mentioned already. These, I believe are originally from the MTB realm of our sport, and generally use comfy shoes, even sandals, that one can walk in. The shoes can be had with aggressive thread for hauling your bike up muddy slopes and stuff (MTB-style). They are often not so stiff, for off-the-bike comfort, but the trade off is less efficient pedaling.

The cleat is a little metal piece, screwed into the shoe and somewhat recessed, but not enough to prance across your in-law's hardwood floor. They are available with more or less release options.

They were easy to adapt to. If you miss a clip-in at the traffic light, just keep pedaling while scooting your foot around, and eventually you will engage. Side to side heel movement is generous. Getting out seems very intuitive and swift.

Then I got a vintage road bike with Look style pedals. After resisting for a few months I finally found a pair of shoes that would accept the big plastic cleats needed for this set-up. This is a completely different world.

Walking is an emergency measure only. The shoes are rigid as a board and the thick protruding cleat makes your stride very awkward. And the cleat get worn quickly. But the riding part of the experience is far superior. It is the easiest clip-in I have ever used, taking hardly any foot pressure. Far easier than the metal SPD. But on the other hand I find them somewhat harder to disengage in a jiffy.

The stiff shoes makes all your efforts go into the drive train. Side to side freedom is adequate with the red cleats. Other colors minimize the sway, and are not recommended for beginners. There seem to more pedaling noise, maybe since the system basically lacks any rubber cushioning. An improvement to off-the-bike activity are little rubber pads that easily slide onto the cleat.

What else? I still use toe-clips a lot, but I don't use my biking shoes. I found the SPD shoes to slide out too easily and the metal cleat, if you leave it on, will grind into the pedal body. With toe-clips in the colder months I can layer up with extra socks in my hiking boots and walk better thru slush.

So I commute with SPD shoes/pedals, go fast and long with LOOK style gear, and use toe-clips when it is cold and wet, or casual rides.

Jan

Thanks Jan, very helpful. My bike originally came equipped with look pedals, the fellow that sold me the bike said he switched to the SPD style for the ease of use. After my first post I realized that there is a lot more to clipless than just clipping in. I decided to buy regular pedals while I do more research about clipless. I got the MKS campy copies, that way when I do replace them, I can put the MKS pedals on my Raleigh.

Thanks for all the advice, and feel free to share more with me. I posted in the road cycling section and it dropped like a rock, not one singe response.

Thanks,
Matt

There you go!
My ordeals with the Road Forum was probably what got me into vintage bikes...

I like Looks, and use the older models on all my bikes, so I can use the cheaper cleats, etc.
My second choice would be SPD's, but single sided, since they're so light.

I learned about 1987 or so that it's very hard to go toe-toe with a bottle-throwing redneck while wearing bike cleats, especially the Looks. Fortunately, he took it outside to the gravel. Much easier then. There became a point where the hard soles and solid Look cleat was very handy.

I've outgrown that, or at least the opportunity hasn't presented itself, but I'm much more careful about road rage when riding. And rednecks are better armed.

I still prefer the Looks.

Hasek: that doesn't sound too far off if you are using SPD cleats and pedals.

Jan: great writeup on the differences - my clipless experience is all SPD on both my road and MTB - haven't had the opportunity (or frankly perceived the need yet) for the increased efficiency with the Look style. I also have my old Eddy Merckx with TA cleats but have not tried them in a while - however the new (to me) Trek has toe clips and so as soon as the snow melts a bit I'm going to try they out.

Mark

I was also worried about commuting and went with the Cheap Forte Campus peddles and a low end pair of shoes to make sure I was happy. I'm totally sold on them for Sunday rides now. I LOVE how much more power I can put into the peddles. Still don't like the idea of commuting in them with the traffic I have to navigate so very satisfied to have the platform/clipless peddles. I'll upgrade to a better set for my main bike eventually and put these cheapos on my Mountain bike.

Picked up a bike yesterday that has a set of Looks on it. I was hoping there was a Cleat that would fit my SPD shoes but it sounds like I am SOL and have to get either shoes or new peddles. :(