I bought a road bike 3 months ago and it didn't have pedals so i used my plataform pedals from my other bike.
Now after almost 2000km i'am going to finnaly change to clipless pedals.
What advantages will it give? One of the reasons i want to change is because it's safer, some days ago my feet fall of the pedal ,hit the alpasht and it really hurt a lot.
Will clipless pedals make me faster?

They will definitely make you faster and more efficient.

Clipless pedals will make you faster, but it's gonna take some work. The main advantages I found after going clipless were the ability to pull up and forward/backward so you're able to apply power with both feet all the time. Also, clipless made it easier to spin at a higher cadence without worrying about keeping my feet in the right position.

You'll enjoy going clipless. Don't be afraid of them like some folks are . . . no reason to be.

I just got some clip less pedals after 3 months of using platform pedals. They do make you faster, but you get tired very quickly because you have to pull up and push down.

No one is going to warn the OP that he'll fall at least once learning to use them? But what would be the point, since umd can't jump into the discussion...

I went clipless some years ago on my mtb. Scared the $hit out of me when I got into situations I couldn't really navigate. Got in the lazy habit of unclipping one foot to be safe. Then I realized if I just powered over those sections I ended up doing better. Clipless is great. I'm not very good on the full circle power stuff, but when I go up a hill I tend to focus on doing that and it usually makes climbing easier - at least until my less used muscles complain and go back to just pounding down.

A couple things to remember:

1. You will fall - accept it.
2. Hmmm

Okay, just one.

"They do make you faster, but you get tired very quickly because you have to pull up and push down."

I don't think this is true.

There are a few things for you to think about once you decide to go clipless. First, do you want mountain bike or road pedals, then which pedals. They all work but I do have my preferences.

You beat me to it, great point!

I was hesitant switching to clipless from platforms, but I wouldn't go back now. They're awesome.

On a related note, what clipless setup would be good for a novice (ie, which clips in/out the easiest), Look/SPD-SL/Speedplay?

I keep reading all sorts of great stuff about speedplay on here, and it makes me wonder why the look style clips are still so popular.

I use SPD right now, but would like stiffer shoes which mostly only seem to come in 3 hole configurations. I'm still a bit paranoid about unclipping at intersections.

The most efficient way of pedaling is as if you are trying to scrape mud from the bottom of your shoes. There is no way you can accomplish that by platforms.

But you know he's reading this, itching to reply.

I gotta admit I laughed when I saw that.

Hey plx! If the pedals make you faster at all, the speed difference will be negligible. They definitely won't make you get tired faster unless you do something strange. The reason you're slow now is that both your conditioning and your form need a lot of work. Clipless pedals could encourage proper form and if they make riding more fun that would help your conditioning, so indirectly they might speed you up. Don't expect any miracles though.

There is a reason why the vast majority of experienced cyclists use clipless pedals, so I'm definitely support getting them if you are interested in them.

I remember a discussion about clipless pedals and speed.

umd posted in there that he had a friend who won a TT with slippers/ flip flops.

There are any number of SPD cycling shoes that are as stiff as road shoes. They will be a bit heavier, but are definitely more comfortable if you have to walk around a bit. I use double-sided SPDs on our tandem so I can clip in faster when we start on a steep hill. Also the lugs on the SPD shoes make supporting the tandem at stops much more secure.

I think I can speak to this. I started out with SPD-SL pedals when I first started riding. I only used them for a month so I might not have given them enough time. Once you are clipped in with them you have a very solid feel. They feel like you are welded to the pedals. I went down three or four times including in an intersection. I had a hard time getting in and out of them. Again, it may have been my lack of experience. I sold them on eBay and bought Speedplay Light Action pedals. I have not gone down even once in four years on my Speedplays. The Light Action pedals take a little time to adjust to the float. You feet can move side to side slightly as you pedal. Speedplay also makes Zeros where the float can be eliminated completely.

It is unlikely that I will ever use any pedal system other than Speedplay now. I am very happy with them. I have no fear of clipping in or out of them in an intersection, on a steep hill or anywhere else. You do not need to look down to clip in just step straight down and you will hear a click.

You don't have to pull up with your foot if you wear clipless shoes. In fact, I think someone said that it doesn't even really offer that much advantage when climbing or something. I don't pull up with my shoes a lot.

No doubt someone will disagree, but spd pedals might be a good choice for a novice. You have the benefit of a more comfortable shoe in case you end up walking a bit. You can also get a multi-release cleat which lets you release a bit more easily and in multiple directions. I almost fell the other day coming up to a stop light too fast and did a hard brake and then ended up slightly to the right. I normally unclip the left so I started to go over but pulled up and out just in time. Maybe other systems allow for this. I don't know. I just know I've been happy with spd. Maybe someday I'll get something else but for now I'm happy. They also have spd (and probably others as well) that have a clipless system on one side and platform on the other. I use one like this on the mtb so I can do short family rides and not deal with the shoes. Shimano makes a nice road version of this that I considered.

For example, https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-A52...ef=pd_sbs_sg_1

Something else to consider is float - which is the degree to which your foot can move around or float while clipped in. Until you get a good idea of what you want, you might want something with a bit of float. No float with something not set up right can lead to knee issues.

I switched over six or eight months ago, I guess.

My observation: Performance gains are modest and slow coming. You don't just automatically get X mph faster because you own them.

Platform pedals are more convenient when stopping and starting, and clipless are more convenient when riding. So if you're doing more riding and less stopping, they're the way to go.

On the "everybody falls", I haven't yet. Have come close several times, but managed to pop a foot out at the last second.

Sounds great, and simple. I didn't know you had to just step down to clip in, I assume you simply rotate the heel out to unclip? Another thing that appeals to the budding weight weenie in me is that the speedplay pedals seem minimal and light.


I've seen a few fiberglass soled shoes with SPD mounts, but all the super stiff carbon ones I've come across seem to be 3 hole only. Otherwise I'm pretty happy with SPD. If my new shoes end up with both hole types, I'll be keeping SPD for a while. My shoe choice will override any pedal system choice right now.

They'll make you faster, or at least make it easier

(1) in a sprint, and
(2) going up hills.

But it won't be like night and day.

I have a pair of clipless flip flops. I use them in the summer when I bike to swimming beaches with lots of rocks underwater.

I have a pair of carbon fiber SPD shoes. They're heavier than my Pearl Izumi SPDs, but they're stiff as a board.

Yes, you just rotate your foot outward to unclip. Some will say that Speedplay pedals are hard to walk in but I coated my cleats with shoe goo and they are extremely easy to walk in.