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Should an old rookie go clipless?
I've been riding my vintage bikes with either half clips or with clips with loose fitting straps. I just can't get used to the idea of having my feet strapped in where I can't get out of them quickly.
I'm curious about clipless pedals. So other than the pedals what type of shoes would I need and what pedals would be good to start out with? Thanks Bob |
Shimano MTB pedals. In particular, PD-M520s. Cheap, adjustable, tough. And MTB shoes you can walk around in, just like a normal person.
For shoes, the ones that fit you. You don't have to spend a ton. I tried resisting clippy pedals for awhile, and now I can't ride without them. If you can handle half clips or straps, clipless is waaaayyyy easier. |
I agree with DrIsotope mostly. However, I have two bikes set up with clips/loose straps and two bikes with clipless. They are all equal in comfort and ease of use in my opinion. I do agree that clipless is much more comfortable and easier to deal with than clips/tight straps combined with cleats, but I haven't used a setup like that since I raced many years ago.
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Like he said, Shimano mtb pedals with the release set loose ( at least at first ). You can find shoes on sale at Nashbar or Performance.
I hate toe straps and have been using clipless on everything for 30ish years. |
Would these be just as good? I like the fact that you can turn them over and not use cleats https ebay.com/itm/Shimano-M324-SPD-Pedals/323387139616?_mwBanner=1&_rdt=1
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To answer your original question, yes an old rookie should go clipless. This old rookie did this year with sbd pedals in case I don’t want to be clipped in. If I’m riding in areas with quite a few stops, I don’t clip in. If I’m riding quite a distance with very few stops, I’m clipped. I like being clipped as it seems more efficient when pedaling since your feet don’t move on the pedals. I really didn’t think I’d like them as much as I do, but took the plunge and glad I did. |
yes, they are super easy, i was in the same boat and worried for nothing.
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I thought about it too, and for me, I just can't do it... I've seen the Shimano A530's (double sided pedals) in my LBS, and even sat down on a demo road bike with them. Clip into them, or flip them around and use the flat platform. But like I said, I just can't do it... Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm just weird. :p
Honestly? Old C&V style road bikes, friction shifters, gumwall tires, etc... would look a little odd with clipless pedals. Sort of anachronistic -- I think that's the word. |
There should be no fear of clipless.
M520's are probably the most popular clipless pedal on the planet and dirt cheap. Just practice on a grassy field the first time. Remember that there are two kinds of cleats. SH-56 are going to be easier to get in and out of but less secure for aggressive riding and racing. SH-51 are going to be more secure if you ride hard but slightly more difficult to clip out if riding casually. That said, many people use the SH-51 cleats without a problem. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6f137bfbf7.jpg |
Yes. Consider the SH-56 cleat rather than the SH-51 cleat, as they are easier to clip out in a panic stop. (The guy above just beat me to it.) I am using the Shimano M647 pedals, which are pretty nice albeit a little pricey. I’ve never touched the tension settings on them, and I haven’t yet popped out of them when I didn’t want to. |
My wife and I went clipless for the first time about 10 years ago (I'm 70 now). We went with the A530 and SH-56 cleats - we are recreational riders, not aggressive. We ride a fair amount in stop and go city traffic with lights so the two sided pedals seemed preferable. Neither of us have fallen because of the clipless although we have both crashed for other reasons. We practiced getting in and out on the trainer for a while before putting the pedals on our street bikes. Been happy the whole time.
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Go clipless, you'll be glad you did.
Practice unclipping both feet, you'll use one foot most of the time, but it's good to have the muscle memory to unclip on both sides. And try unclipping by twisting your foot to the outside and to the inside. It will quickly become second nature to clip in and out with out thinking about it. BTW, you will fall over, we have all done it. Just roll with it, it will be ok. |
I think Mtn. bike pedals and the walkable shoes they employ are best for a recreational rider. I use Speedplay Frogs on my CX bike.
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Originally Posted by ButchA
(Post 20496599)
I thought about it too, and for me, I just can't do it... I've seen the Shimano A530's (double sided pedals) in my LBS, and even sat down on a demo road bike with them. Clip into them, or flip them around and use the flat platform. But like I said, I just can't do it... Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm just weird. :p
Honestly? Old C&V style road bikes, friction shifters, gumwall tires, etc... would look a little odd with clipless pedals. Sort of anachronistic -- I think that's the word. |
LOL... Probably!! :D
I just prefer to get out there and ride "old school" style. 27" gumwall tires... Friction shifters... and yes, TOE CLIPS & STRAPS on MKS Sylvan platform pedals! :50: |
No reason to go clipless if not competing. Nothing to gain and much to lose. It is not a hard transition to make but people of all ages and skill levels frequently fall for no other reason than clipless pedals. Falls that usually result in minor bike damage, cuts, bruises and even broken wrists. The best part is that you paid a lot of extra money for this to happen in the form of special pedals and shoes. But hey, if it makes someone feel like a more legit or serious biker who is anyone to dispute that? Rock on |
I have the Shimano MX80 pedals. They are great. Feet never slip off of these.
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-MX...nt+flat+pedals |
Originally Posted by downhillmaster
(Post 20497718)
No reason to go clipless if not competing. Nothing to gain and much to lose. It is not a hard transition to make but people of all ages and skill levels frequently fall for no other reason than clipless pedals. Falls that usually result in minor bike damage, cuts, bruises and even broken wrists. The best part is that you paid a lot of extra money for this to happen in the form of special pedals and shoes. But hey, if it makes someone feel like a more legit or serious biker who is anyone to dispute that? Rock on If I wanted to be completely safe I wouldn't ride a bike to begin with. |
Originally Posted by robertj298
(Post 20497938)
With regular pedals I have trouble keeping my feet in the right position on the pedals and I would think clipless would solve that and be more comfortable than half clips or clips with straps.
If I wanted to be completely safe I wouldn't ride a bike to begin with. Was just simply and clearly pointing out the negatives. Unusual rationale though. Bike riding isn’t completely safe so anything goes. Why wear a helmet or use lights? They both add weight and make you less aero. Either way, keeping your feet in the proper position on the pedals is a skill that you have yet to master so it seems you have no choice but to go clipless. Problem solved :thumb: |
Originally Posted by downhillmaster
(Post 20497718)
No reason to go clipless if not competing. Nothing to gain and much to lose. It is not a hard transition to make but people of all ages and skill levels frequently fall for no other reason than clipless pedals. Falls that usually result in minor bike damage, cuts, bruises and even broken wrists. The best part is that you paid a lot of extra money for this to happen in the form of special pedals and shoes. But hey, if it makes someone feel like a more legit or serious biker who is anyone to dispute that? Rock on |
OP, try to ignore the troll. No one that clips in tells people riding flats that they're "doing it wrong." You'll either like being clipped in or you won't, and odds are you will. A buddy of mine had never clipped in to any pedal in his life, and was a convert the very first time he tried it. A lot of people, myself included, find it more comfortable.
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Originally Posted by robertj298
(Post 20498104)
So all these clipless riders over 50 just do so to feel more legit or serious?
Road cycling is a marketing and accessory driven sport. Rec riders of any age with average speeds of 18 mph or less will routinely spend thousands of dollars on wheels alone. They will spend additional hundreds and thousands upgrading their stock $3k bike to shave off 1.5 lbs. If it makes them happy it’s all good though :thumb: |
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...45c566651.jpeg
Originally Posted by ButchA
(Post 20496599)
.....
Honestly? Old C&V style road bikes, friction shifters, gumwall tires, etc... would look a little odd with clipless pedals. Sort of anachronistic -- I think that's the word. OP should pick what he wishes but go try on a few. I always say 1st pair from a decent bike shop that you wear for 30 min. |
Originally Posted by robertj298
(Post 20496270)
I've been riding my vintage bikes with either half clips or with clips with loose fitting straps. I just can't get used to the idea of having my feet strapped in where I can't get out of them quickly.
I'm curious about clipless pedals. So other than the pedals what type of shoes would I need and what pedals would be good to start out with? Thanks Bob |
Originally Posted by ButchA
(Post 20497594)
LOL... Probably!! :D
I just prefer to get out there and ride "old school" style. 27" gumwall tires... Friction shifters... and yes, TOE CLIPS & STRAPS on MKS Sylvan platform pedals! :50: |
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