Clipless pedals for commuting ?
 

Anyone have any suggestions? I have a specialized sirrus sport that I commute a lot on but I also ride it for fitness. So I would like something semi casual so that I would not need to carry around a second pair of shoes with me.

This oughta be good. :lol:

I'm using SPD pedals and Giro Rumble shoes for commuting and all-day wearing. Love it. So much nicer than the toeclips-and-straps I was using before.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...lipstwo001.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...lipstwo005.jpg

Mountain bike shoes and Shimano M520 pedals. The pedals can be found for around $40.

Any reason to get the M520s over the M505s? Ribble has the M505s for $20.

Keen makes some shoes that can use spd clips and don't scream bicycle. They are at best business casual in design. I don't think anyone makes a suitable business shoe that is capable of using clips.

Other options is a dual purpose pedal, one of those that had spd on one side and platform on the other.

Or you can do what most people riding bikes (world wide) do and use pedals that don't require special shoes.

I saw a clipless guy fall over while trackstanding at a light the other day. I caught up to him and after asking if he was okay, said "that's why I stick with platforms for commuting."

Will clipless make you more efficient? Yes. Does it matter when you're stopping and starting often? No.

yep, I like toe clips/straps or platform for commuting. They work with most any shoe and they're cheap. Plus it's almost the only chance I get to use my vintage road pedals, ;)

I keep a pair of shoes at work.

I ride (currently) a pair of Ultegra SPD-SLs from my road bike until I can settle on which clipless pedals I want for my CX bike.

I rode the bike a couple of days when I got it, without clipless, and after riding clipless for so long, I can't stand regular platform pedals.

I'm sure he appreciated that.

I saw a guy stand on his platform pedals on a rainy day while pulling away from an intersection. He slipped and it appeared his family jewels had an unpleasant impact on his top tube.

I refrained from telling him that that's why I ride clipless. ;)

Actually, I use both clipless and platforms depending on which bike I ride. There are pros and cons to each. I've fallen over because I've forgotten to unclip. I've slipped on the platform pedals (though my current ones have plastic pegs). I've also managed to avert a fall or two because my feet were clipped in and I was able to maintain/regain control.

I've been using toeclips and straps on my fixed gear bikes, so far so good..But I really want to try out SPD's, my question is : Is it possible to accidently unclip when pedalling hard and riding agressively on a fixie ??

Wide platform pedals and the Fixie straps will work .. with what shoes you wear for the rest of the day

Ditto 'powergrips' they run diagonal so the heel out motion loosens them.. the 2 strap velcro adjusted type run straight across..

shoes for clipless pedals will have you clomping around all day in shoes
that wont be as walking comfortable .. in most cases.

I commute 20+ miles a day and I've been using Shimano PD-M540's with Bontrager Solstice shoes. So far the combo has been great (I keep shoes at work).

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The reason I like the Solstice shoes is because they have a recessed cleat position (like MTB shoes) but are more soft soled making walking in them much more enjoyable. (The sole is more soft rubber than hard plastic).

I have Shimano A530s. I like them, a little slick when wet on the platform side.

The clips mechanism on the pedals has adjustable tension. Given the variety of pedals and cleats, it is possible that in some cases you could unclip. Getting the adjustments right should prevent that though.

I use Keen Austin shoes * with Performance Campus Pedals. SPD cleat on one side, cleat less on the other side. Great for when I want to wear something other than a cycling shoe.

* on a side note the Keen Austin as a cycling shoe seems to be discontinued, much to my dismay.

I'm surprised you didn't walk away with a cleat imprint on your forehead.

I have ridden both for commuting. I prefer clipless and I'm commuting in an urban environment, so quite a bit of stopping and starting. After doing it for a while you don't even think about the clipping in and out anymore. Also, here in Seattle, it rains a lot. I know longer suffer from foot slippage.

I have the M540s. They were a very nice step up from the M520s. This is on my cross commuter in my sig.

I went through a phase about a year ago where I removed the clips from my pedals and just rode on plain, flat platforms for a while, swearing I'd never go back. Riding "au natural" was such a no-brainer when it came to all the traffic lights and STOP signs along my commute.

But ultimately, I began to long for my clips again, and now they're back. I would never ride any kind of pedal where half of it sticks to my shoe, or where I have to buy and lug around a special set of shoes just to get from Point A to Point B.

I'm with the crowd that suggests either clipless or nuthin' at all!

This is my setup for commuting...

I leave a pair of shoes at work. I have XTR Trail pedals and MTB shoes for the commuter and Speedplay Light Action pedals and LG shoes for the roadie. I will admit...I still ride platforms on my MTB...I am not that brave yet.

Probably not. I don't have direct experience with the 505s but they don't look too different from the M520.

It depends on how tight you have the pedals set. I've ridden clipless (M520) on a fixie and never had a problem. I have lots of experience with mountain biking and clipless, however, which tends to reinforce the ability to not crash when using clipless. Rocks hurt. I also have developed the abiilty...again because of mountain biking...to clip out with either foot without thought to the process. If I do crash, my feet are out of the pedals without my thinking to unclip. It just takes a little extra skill.

unclick one foot as you approach somewhere where you *might* have to stop. Clicking back in on the fly is easy (particularly if you still have tight control of the cranks with the other foot still clipped in)

As to what system - it's personal preference. MTB shoes is good advice as you don't have to clatter around like a tap-dancing student.

:lol: