Thinking about going clipless.
 

Never road clipless before and was wondering if this brand and type would be good for a four mile commute and still have the option to wear street shoes.
Wellgo Platform Clipless Dual Pedals w Shimano SPD Cleats | eBay
I have a old pair of Shimano 600s with the toe clips but lacking the cleats. cleats are pretty rare and pricy for em.
Ideas?

The drawback of that style of pedal is that that you have to look down to clip back in at intersections, right when you'd prefer to be having your eyes on traffic. Some people like them, others (like myself) have used them and don't like them.

Are you planning on doing rides longer than 4 miles? It's debatable whether clipless makes an improvement in efficiency, but for 4 miles I'd think you'd end up spending far more time changing in and out of shoes on each end than you would gain from clipless.

How long does it take people to change shoes if needed?

My clipless shoes have Velcro. Bend over undo four straps and slip them off. Slip on dress shoes tie. Done.

If I was commuting to a construction site and needed to lace up eight inch steel toe boots that is a bit longer.

But really shoe changes don't take long.

It is not a justifiable reason to oppose clipless.

Edit: I would probably spend more time ensuring my laces are not in the chainline if I wore regular shoes.

I personally prefer the dual sided clipless for the reasons mentioned above, I can clip in either side which required less focus; it matters in traffic especially.

I think that platform/clipless are a good compromise, my brother in law loves the Shimano version he has. If you miss the clip-in you at least have a nice platform to pedal on and it will not impede your pedaling. And you can ride in any shoe.

I personally like to ride with clipless all the time and if it is not practical I will just swap my pedals which takes a few minutes. I ride with SPD mountain bike shoes so I can walk around and do whatever. I do not mind walking in the stiff soles; I am used to them from my mountaineering/hiking boots and motorcycle boots.

There will likely not be a performance advantage; that is still debated in general. I recall having hamstring cramps and soreness when I started clipless. That tells me there is more effort on the pull than before clipless. I have stuck with clipless since I like the feeling of not having to think about foot position, keeping my foot on the pedals, can help with bike handling and I find it comfortable and practical for my riding.

I think clipless is an interesting option. I'd like to try it someday.

However, the necessity for two pairs is shoes is a pain.

I like being able to walk with ease when I get to the store or on breaks during the ride. And, you're right, they aren't any worse than hiking boots. I've got SPD road pedals on the roadie too, along with those Shimano SPD road shoes. They aren't but an ounce, or so, heavier than all but the high end three screw road pedals.

A like my SPD/Platforms. There is absolutely no problems at stops and certainly no safety issues. I rode the platform side the other day and paid close attention to the difference. To maintain my usual cadence I was always at least one gear lower on the same sections of road than when clipped in.

OP--The Wellgo pedals aren't as smooth as the Shimano and I've found that they don't smooth out with use. Not a real big deal though. I never really could feel it riding along. Those pedals are $31 with shipping. That particular seller (abaxo) is slow to ship, other than that I haven't had any problems with them. I'd look at one of the several Nashbar branded pedals, they have several different models before I bought those. I've bought several pair of used Shimano SPD's for less off of eBarf for less that were, and still are in great shape---they just didn't come with cleats.

For a 4 mile commute I absolutely would not bother with clipless. I have an 11 to 15 mile commute and I wouldn't do it again. I have them now and I keep using them but I wouldn't bother spending the money again. I'd just use toe clips.

Having spent a lot of time hastily putting on eight-inch heavy leather boots, it doesn't take any more time than your Nikes. There are techniques that you have to learn to do it quickly (such as one-handed lacing).

Whoa those Wellgo pedals look exactly like what I've been looking for to put on my kid hauler bike! There are times I wish it had clipless pedals instead of the current platforms on there.

I currently use Shimano A530 dual SPD/platform pedals on my commuter road bike, along with Bontrager SSR shoes which are okay for walking around in off the bike. Wouldn't want to wear them all day long, though. The platform is a bit small, but fits the bill for a short errand during lunch break at work with my normal office shoes.

*edit* not sure how those Wellgos would do, but my A530's pretty much always default to SPD-side up when starting off from a stop.

I use plain platform pedals and Chrome Truk shoes for my 7 mile commute, and have to change into steel toe boots for work.

Changing footwear is a pain I would eliminate if I could, its not like its the only thing I need to do at the beginning and end of my day. The dynamics of my route, which I have also ridden many times on my bike with clips, makes it clear clips or cleats are no advantage as they take more effort then they save.

Check out the Nashbar pedals that I mentioned a few posts earlier. Assuming that I didn't just get another pair of 530s.

My A530s hand up and down, with the SPD side towards the back. That makes them perfect to tip forward with my toe and slide right into the clips. So easy, and.......I don't even have to look down, as if that would be a big, huge or major deal. I have to look down more with three bolt "road" pedals more. Problem with 530s....none.

How's your bottom bracket woes progressing????

My experience is the exact opposite. I like my Shimano hybrid pedals; they allow me to ride either clipless or non, and I find them easy and convenient to use. Where you call it the worst of both worlds, I call it the best.

As far as the OP goes, I went clipless this spring after using platform pedals most of my adult life. My attitude was that clipless pedals were only for racing and I didn't need them; but now I like riding clipless so much that I'll never go back. Weather it's a trip to the store or a ride to the next town, I wear SPD shoes on the bike.

Oh, great might priest of clipless! How I have longed to find a priest of the one and true faith of olden times! I have many question of ask of ye, thy bearer of great knowledge of the great god of clipless riding!
1. Is it acceptable to accept employment at place where one is now allowed to wear clipless shoes during working hours?
2. Some claim, perhaps heretically, that a 5 year old child who is just learning to ride is to young for clipless. What doth they almighty clipless god say on such matters?
3. I have twice broken my arm while wearing they almighty road cleats in thy shower. Will this increase my odds of getting into thy great clipless heaven, or must I do more?
4. My wife continues to be upset that I insist that I shall not remove my clipless shoes when sleeping, or doing other husbandly duties. Will divorcing her suffice, or must I burn her at the stake?

I humbly ask for your great forgiveness and absolvsion of my sins for my earlier remarks, suggesting that there was any justifiable reason to oppose wearing clipless at any time.

I agree with others who said the dual platform/spd pedals are kind of a pain to find the right side. I prefer the spd's that clip on both sides. Personally I wouldn't bother with clipless. I had a compelling reason (lots of knee issues and needed clipless pedals to really dial in the fit and prevent misalignment problems), otherwise I'd still just be riding platforms.

All that being said, I really love the way riding clipped in feels, and since I've already sunk the money into a couple of pairs if shoes and pedals, I don't think I would go back. But you can be happy since you don't know the difference. :)

I have to wear dress shoes at work, so I have to change anyways. You can leave a pair of work shoes at work, so I don't even have to think about it.

Yeah, some people feel the opposite, but I used to ride similar pedals as well and feel the same way.

???!!!

I know you lived in germany but that is taking teutonic thrift to extremes!!!
More seriously...I keep a few pairs of shoes in my office.

Translation: People who wear clipless are heathens who blaspheme against the sacred writings of Sri Baba Grant Petersen.

It is nice to be recognized.

Thank you.

So....I guess I'll just mount some plastic toe clips to my platforms then.
But wait! Nobody knows anything about these shimano 600s I have?
( Heres another eBay link to the same model. but I a set of course. )
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-600-...item51c468a053
Anyone use these?

Why not good old duct tape? When you get to an intersection just lean on the car that's nearest the light, motorists are super friendly like that.

I just leave a pair of shoes at work. And my Nashbar commuter shoes aren't horrible for long periods.

I've got the Nashbar platform/SPD pedals and I don't have any problem clipping in. Riding on the platform side I find I've got to flip the pedals, but I almost never ride on that side.

Sure, I do that.

But it's not so nice when I need to stop somewhere on the bike on the way home (for a party, to go to the pub, to go to dinner, to catch a train/plane/boat).

It's just adds complication if the bike is really used as sole transport.

Get a mountain bike shoe (or touring shoe) with a recessed cleat. You can walk in them just like a normal shoe. I've walked in a carbon fiber soled mountain bike shoe for most of the distance of a marathon (the wheelchair rider I was shepherding was really slow) without problems. I've worn them into restaurants and movie theaters. They aren't a problem.

Road shoes, on the other hand, are mostly useless off the bike.

Yeah, it's more of not fitting with other proper attire.

Interesting idea, if I can find something that doesn't look like mmmm.