becwells

I just got a Fuji Finest 2.0 - my first road bike! Woo! Anyway, it came with pedals that have toe clips, and I LOATHE them. I absolutely hate having to stop at intersections, because I know that sooner or later I'm going to have to fumble my way back into the damn things. So, are clipless pedals really easier to get into than toe clips? I don't think I can stand the toe clips any more, but I'm worried that clipless will make me go ass over.

palu

Yes, clipless are more secure and easier. But there is a little bit of a learning curve, so you have to practice and practice. You will never go back to toe clips or flat peddles.

merlinextraligh

Clipless are not only easier to get into, they're easier to get out of.

For toeclips to be used they way they were intended, they have to be tight enough you can't pull your foot out without loosening the strap, and should be combined with a cleated shoe. It's a lot harder to reach down and undoe the strap than it is to rotate your ankle out.

umd

Yes

/thread

becwells

See, I'm obviously not using my toeclips as intended - I just have them tight enough that I can get my shoe in and out without having to adjust. Oh well, it doesn't much matter as I'm upgrading to clipless.

Next dumb question - I have Pearl Izumi road shoes...I'm assuming I can fit either 2 or 3 spike (prong?) cleats into them? What clipless pedals should I look at (not too expensive, easy to use, etc.)?

Longfemur

If you stick with a sensible, urban riding solution and you end up with "mountain" bike SPD or SPD compatible, yes, it's easier than toe clips. You just step down on it and you're in, slightly twist you heel outwards and you're free. That's a lot easier than getting into and out of toe clips. And with Shimano SPD, you can also get the multi-release cleat which is even easier to release from. Absolutely ideal for urban riding even on a high zoot super duper all plastic racing road bike. It's up to you whether you take this advice or not, but I did ride toe clips for decades, and clipless for the past 10 years (along with some toe clip riding as well) -- and I'm here to tell you that there's no comparison. The only easier solution would be no toe clips and ordinary pedals (which is not necessarily a disadvantage for urban riding).

BTW, you WILL read a lot of stories about falling. Don't worry about it, because those that fall with clipless pedals would fall just as easily with toe clips. It doesn't matter what is holding your foot on the pedal if you stop while forgetting that your foot is not free, or if you stop but then lean on the side where the foot is still restrained.

umd

Obviously

becwells

umd

Seriously though, the most efficiency gains are by pulling back at the bottom of the stroke, not up. If you don't tighten the straps, they aren't really doing much of anything for you except keeping your feet from slipping off the pedals.

Flatballer

Your road shoes will only take a 3 bolt cleat. The SPD 2 bolt style will not fit in them. You have to get a road style pedal/cleat system; such as Look, Speedplay or something like that. I've heard great things about the Look Keo Classic. I just ordered my first pair of clipless and that's what I ended up getting. Really cheap at PBK. Hopefully they're as good as they say. Everyone has an opinion of their favorite pedals, but it seems like it all comes down to feel generally and what works for them.

weavers

i like the toe clips my bike came with. i use my bike to get to college, to work, and out for a long ride. its nice being able to use the upstroke without special shoes. the only thing thats hard is switching from my road bike to my mtb cause my feet will fly off. ;p

oh with toe clips at a red light or stop sign(don't blow threw these on a bike) just put one foot down when you stop and stand over the top tube, have the other foot already in the toe clip and get ready to standup to asclerate. i tend to petal once or twice on the bottom of my left petal before i am able to put my foot into the toe clips. there is no reaching down to make it tight or anything. hardly a bother considering i don't need to bring extra shoes(i ussaly have extra shoes cause i dance though, but 3-4pairs of shoes with me would be silly)

or just stop like these guys if you have no brakes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwVqHaYdC0I

Ed in GA

When I got my bike, I had platform pedals put on it. Not finding them to be satisfactory, I ventured into a set of pedals with toe clips. I rode once with the clips and decided that they were about the most dangerous thing I could have on my bike. On Tuesday, I got a set of Look KEO Sprint clipless pedals and took my first ride with them.

All I can tell you from my experience is....

Get Clipless Pedals sooner rather than later. You will be, as was I, absolutely amazed at the difference.

ciao`

Ed

becwells

Yep, I know how to do it, I just find it annoyingly difficult.

Anywho, I just went ahead and ordered the Look KEO Classic's. Hopefully they'll do the trick.

MichaelW

Any pedal attachment system is for people who are confident about riding their bike. Are you new to road bike or cycling in general? Can you do a track stand?
I would hesitate to fit clips to a brand new bike until I get the feel of it.
My daily rides are fitted with toe clips, used lose. That way I can use any footwear, casual, formal, work, pub etc.
If you want the highest performance then clipless is the way to go but not all cycling is performance cycling. Imagine if every pedestrian was advised to wear running spikes because that is the fastest way to cover 100m.

Are clipless easier? If they were, why would people fall over sideways at a stop. Ive taken slides on ice and wet grass that tipped me without warning and I was able to get a foot out of my toe clips to the ground during the slide.

jsatan

If you started with toes clips like me (coming from a MTB) you tend to compensate for this lack of "hold" on the back stroke by pointing your toes down, I noticed I was doing it and why.
Clipless pedals and shoes at my door tomorrow.

umd

I agree that clipless pedals are not for everyone but they are much better than toe clips & cages that aren't tightened. I still maintain that if you are going to properly tighten them down, you may as well not have them. People fall over with clipless pedals because a) they can't balance and b) they panic. Contrary to BF lore, not everyone will fall over because they forgot to unclip in time. If you know how to properly use your clipless pedals, you can be more securely connected with them and be able to release more quickly than with cages & tight straps.

CharlieWoo

Put a clipless on one pedal, clips on the other and see which you like.

MrCrassic 

Clipless is daunting at first, but is VERY easy (and superior to toeclips) once you get used to it.

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ShadowGray

At 1 month, I'm still trying to get used to clipping in my left foot after red lights..