Spud flub.

Yep, that's why we do it. When you buy the pedals you get a manual on how to piss people off.

It's true. Every pair of clipless pedals comes with at least a pamphlet about how to be a scofflaw. I mean, there's an image to uphold.

Well I picked up a set of m324 pedals never used for$25 then couldn't believe I found a pair of Shimano mtn. Bike shoes in my size like new in a local thrift store for $9 . Been using them for a couple weeks with no mishaps. In my opinion they are pretty easy to get in and out of after a short time. I believe the only mishaps would occur if your not paying attention and not thinking in which case you shouldn't be in the road

If you use tennis shoes or similar, you can get your feet out of the toe clips cinched down as tight as you can get by pulling down and back.

Even with cleated road pedals, a good twist and they'll come out.

I rode with toeclips and straps TIGHT from about age 10 to my late 40's. Then jumped on the SPD bandwagon. I love them.

But, I pull up at least sometimes, and enjoy the stability it holds the shoes. Also stiff shoes.

The better shoes seem to be important especially as one pushes > 100 mile rides.

For me, the conversion from toeclips to clipless was quick and easy. Not 100% incident free (had troubles with loosing traction on my driveway climb), but I believe a lot transferred from the use of toeclips as well as my old road shoes... where did those go?

The question gets back to what you need. It sounds like your primary goal with the toeclips is foot positioning, and not the upstroke, or really holding the shoe in place.

It is worth trying, but if you don't like a shoe strapped down, I'm not convinced you'll like it clipped to the pedal.

I'd probably first look at some really grippy pinned pedals. You can even use SPD style cycling shoes with pinned pedals. Many new shoes come with cleat covers. Perhaps there are other stiff sport shoes to try.

Some shoes, like the Bontrager Espresso, allow you to walk without the cleats hitting the ground. A friend of mine forgot to unclip and when she went down, put out her hand to break her fall. She did, and her wrist as well.

Go Clipless,

I was a new rider several years ago and had concerns about clipless pedals. I bought the Shimano Click'r pedal (PD-T421). Clipless on one side and platform on the other. The Click'r pedals supposedly require much less effort to get into and more importantly out of. Use with the multidirectional cleat SH-56 cleat I have never not been able to get out (unclipped) when necessary. Also I have not had them un-clip while riding. I convinced my wife to try this combination and she has done well.

I still ride them today. No reason to switch to another pedal.

Rick D

Not..sure...if...serious...If at over 50 and you still feel the need for validation of other individuals, specially internet strangers, there may be somethign wrong with your development as an adult.

IME, going from old fashioned rat traps to these new fangled clipless thing-a-majigs that these young 'uns are using is a no brainer. Very easy to use and a lot quicker to release than the old toe clips.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the multi-release cleats. I want one specific motion to associate my muscle memory. But YMMV.

I mention this every time the topic comes up:

- It took me 10 years to get completely comfortable getting in and out of toecllips/straps.
- It took me two weeks to get completely comfortable getting in and out of clipless pedals.

There's nothing wrong with clips and straps for starting out. Get some mountain bike shoes to go with them. That way you'll get nice stiff soles to prevent hotfoot and tired feet, and if you ever decide to go clipless and buy some SPD pedals, the pedals will come with cleats that you can install on the shoes you already have.

Two weeks ago I broke my ankle in three places while cycling. I was clipless and when the bike went away from me my left foot stayed firmly attached to the pedal and was horribly twisted. I'm looking at at least another 6 weeks non weight bearing. Of course it was wholly my fault , I took a bend far too fast and lost traction, but if I had been on flat pedals or loose toe clips like I did previously I might just have gotten away with a few nasty scrapes. I'm not saying my injury is at all typical and I was stupid, Thankfully the bike was undamaged ...below my wheels for the next few weeks

I tried clipless pedals, but didn't like them. I like to be able to position my foot on the pedal, where I want it, with clipless, your foot position is where it's clipped in-period. I also like to be able to get off of the pedal quickly and easily. I didn't find it to be nearly as quick and easy with clipless. I'm using "BMX" pedals-the ones with "pins" in them to keep your foot from slipping. So whatever shoes I want to wear are OK, and I don't feel any loss of efficiency-it's not like, at 67, that I'm competing in any road races. I know some people swear by them, I couldn't stop swearing at them. Many I ride with in my age category are using the "BMX" style pedals now, and getting along fine with them.

I am a weak rider. What I like about clipless pedals is:

When my quads get tired, I can use my hamstrings and pull up on the pedals while I rest my quads.

Cooling When the feet get hot, I can start pulling up on the back stroke and pushing on the down stroke. This causes fresh air to circulate into the shoe and cools the feet.

As long as your shoes have cleats of some kind, you can push the pedals forward without clips. This I do with trail running sneakers. I dont race. Pedals should be regular, not small clip type.