RDSChicago

I just got a Specialized Roubaix Pro. I never had road bike/clipl-on pedals before (Dura-Ace pedals with Shimano road bike shoes), and they are a bit tought to get used to, particularly with plenty of stop and go in my neighborhood where I have to disengage the clips somewhat often.

I know I'll probably get use to the clip-on pedals, but using them just adds undue stress to what should be an enjoyable bike and ride!

Do I really need these clip-on pedals if I am not going to be doing any racing? Can I get away with a good pair of old-fashioned pedals with the cage you place your foot into? If so, can anyone make any recommendations in terms of the best ones?

Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions.

monk

I think clipless is the way to go, whether you race or not. You'll get used to them in short order. It will become second nature. The worst thing that might happen is you'll fall over as your stopping - - I've done that a few times. More embarassing than anything. I've gotten now so I don't feel right or safe if my feet aren't clipped in!

Simmons Lane

I haven't ridden a road bike in years and this has been a concearn with me if i were to get one. I'd probably get those pedals with the clips on one side and platforms on the other so I could have the option and maybe get into clipless more gradually.

GP

Give it a couple of weeks. Once you get used to them, you'll never be able to go back.

Pamestique 

What would you use if not clipless? Flat pedal or a cage? Really no other option. Clipless is safest. Just take a ride or two to practice engaging and disengaging. After awhile it's second nature. I ride with the Dura Ace pedal and love them.

efrobert

Learn to use the clipless. There is a reason must cyclist use them.

msheron

Clipless like all other post stated are the way to go. You'll never look back once you get use to them, it becomes second nature to clip out and in!

TomMc1

Hang in there a few weeks. Before you know it your muscle memory will be such that you will kick out of the clipless pedals with ease. Last year I when I bought a new mountain bike it came with clipless SPD pedals and I had a tough time getting used to them because of so many years with the cages on my old bike. Teaching myself to kick out rather than pull back was tough and I fell a few times.

Practice in a grassy area if you can. It's about 18 months later and I have 1700 miles on my road bike which also has clipless pedals (I know, not much compared to many here but a lot for a guy that works full time, has kids and travels a lot). I wouldn't go back to the old pedals unless there was no other option. This is true for mountain biking and for road biking.

jccaclimber

Make sure that your cleat tension is down at first. There should be a small allen head bolt somewhere to adjust it.

slowandsteady

I am hardly a racer and I love my clipless pedals. Before I went out for a ride, I would put the bike near a set of steps and a railing where I could practice clipping and unclipping while holding on to the railing so I wouldn't tip over. I would do it hundreds of times before each ride for about a week. This built up my confidence and skill. I still ended up falling over twice in the first month. I was going maybe 1 mph. No injuries, just embarrassed. Now it is second nature and would never go back to clips or platform pedals.

The key to not falling over is to unclip WAY before you reach the intersection. Yes, you will be coasting for a long time, but it will keep you from falling down. Eventually, you won't need to start unclipping so soon.

Also when starting out from a standstill, just clip in one foot, then pedal for a while with one clipped foot and one unclipped foot. Wait until you are going a decent speed like 5 mph or faster, then clip in the other foot. If you can't get it and start to slow down, just pedal with the unclipped foot and try again.

In about a month you will be able to clip and unclip quickly and with confidence.

rmikkelsen

>>Make sure that your cleat tension is down at first. There should be a small allen head bolt somewhere to adjust it.<<

And "down," in this case, means the loosest tension setting. I screwed my allen-bolt adjuster all the way down toward the bottom of the pedal trying to follow the ambigous arrows on my first clipless pedals and inavertandly arrived at the stiffest tension setting!

kleng

To make it easier to clip out, put the foot your clipping out with forward with the cranks horizontal, that way the ankle twist will have more torque and leverage.

Ray Dockrey

I don't race either and never plan on it. But there is no way I would be without them. You'll get used to them and then you'll wonder how you ever got by without them. Good luck.

curiouskid55

If you are really scared of them put your bike in a stationary trainer and practice with them until you get a little confidence . Then car rack your bike to a park and prctice in the grass. You will be pro at them in no time. Yes you deffinately some sort of retention device. But if you think reaching down and loosenin a strap , then getting your foot out of the cage while disengaing the cleat is easier than clipless you must have never used them. Just plan you stops well in advance twist your foot to the outside , heel first and you should pop out no problem. Soon you will be track standing at the stoplights.

Hambone

true dat!

staehpj1

Really need them, no. If you are dead set against them don't use them. That said, I can't imagine going back to clips and strap or having no retension system at all. I think clipless are easier to get out of than clips and straps unless you leave the straps loose. I recommend just practicing until clipping out is second nature. If you have the option of using them on a trainer for a while maybe that would help.

They really aren't that hard to get used to and once you do it is a non-issue. I recommend giving them a good chance.

RDSChicago

Thanks for all of the feedback. Just reading the posts has given me a new-found confidence!

Regards,

RDS in Chicago

Ray Dockrey

Just remember, if you do fall it happens to all of us sometime or another. I have had my clipless since February. I have never fallen. That is until last night. For some unknown reason I decided to lean right instead of left. I couldn't get my right foot unclipped in time and down I went. Luckily no one was around. I still felt like a fool and I still can't believe that I did it.

Hambone

My time mtn biking made me much better at unclipping quickly and with either foot.

When you are riding technical trails and need to tap every once in a while, it makes you much better. (Or the butt of a lot of jokes over post-ride beers.) I find as I ride the MTB less and less often, I have to be more consious about unclipping.

uberclkgtr

And since you're using your bike for commuting with lots of start/stop, you'll get used to them real quick, because you'll be clipping in and out often every ride. =]

Dilettante

Good to hear. Much safer and more efficient than platform pedals, once you've practiced with them.

If they are a bit daunting, suggest replacing them with a pair of Crank Brothers Quattros (eggbeaters for roadbikes). Very, very easy to clip into, never need adjusting, good looking.

shaun3000

And you can walk around in mud all day and still clip into them just fine.

Greg180

If this is a commute trip get used to slowing down and gauging the light/signs. If this is a road ride go outsie the stop and go streets where you can enjoy a good spin.

Like previous posters you will fall...Never thought I would but two days after buying my newest set of SPL I fell over while stopping in my driveway after my ride. It gave my wife something to laugh about and tell at all the dinner parties.