Get me into (or talk me out of) clipless pedals / shoes
 

I've been gaining interest in trying clipless pedals with my bike. Not sure that i'll love it yet, so I want to get an inexpensive setup, if I do go through with it.

I've already gotten recommendations but also wanted to see what the BFSSFG fam have to add.

Looks? SPD? SPD-SL? Others? Should I just stick to clips and straps?

Talk some sense into me.

do you want to walk in 'em?

I have clipless on 100% of my FG bikes and wouldn't want anything else. Once you try it and realize how much better it works and how much easier it is to get in and out, you'll never go back to clips/straps. If you do a lot of walking while using your bike, then get SPD pedals and shoes.

I think road clipless set up is good if you are going for a long ride, with not too many stops, just ride, ride, ride. You could bring a pair of shoes with you if it doesn't bother you.

How would I get you into a clipless pedal without physically assisting you?



....... My bad, that joke was horrible. Anyways, from what I hear, once you start using clipless pedals, you cant go back to anything else. I guess there is only one way to see if you'll like them or not.

I always bring a backpack with me, and wouldn't mind bringing an extra pair of normal sneakers, so the walking thing isn't that big an issue.

TT what clipless system do you have on your bikes? SPD? SPD-SL? others? I've been looking at the shimano PD-R540. Also looking at some decent shoes, but most of them are SPD, not SL, so there's a thought. What specific pedals for each system do y'all use or would recommend?

And well... this is NYC, so there's plenty of stopping and going. So it makes me wonder if clipless is a good idea at all.

I just use two systems on all my bikes, either Look road or SPD. All my shoes for road and track are Shimano. I race track and ride geared on road in Shimano SPD SL shoes with Look Delta cleats. My SPD shoe is a Shimano SH-MT51, which is a very walkable shoe. I use the SPD system on my commute geared bike and one of my street FG bikes (Kilo WT), and also my Cross bike and full suspension MTB. As far as NYC being stop and go, I'd say clipless is a lot more convenient than clips/straps in terms of getting in and out.

For me personally, the stopping/going thing isn't so much of the issue as stopping for extended periods of time to wander around on foot. But being as you said that you generally carry around a backpack, that wouldn't be an issue.

Having issues with stopping/going with clipless is not so much a prominent issue once you get used to the whole thing. Just be careful, really. And if you fall, no big deal, everyone does. The difference between clipless and just straps and clips is large, in a small way. You'd be surprised how much more up-pull you get, and how much it helps to have back-pull. The only reason I ride straps and clips majority of the time, is because my commute is too short to justify the clipless and extra luggage with shoes (my bag is on the smaller end). Being said, if you're mainly going a block or ten blocks, I would stick to clips and straps. If you're talking five to fifteen miles, I would consider it more thoroughly.

Just my $0.02

Oh, and I am using Egg-beaters (Quattro SL's to be specific) with a set of Nike shoes.

If you can't trackstand very well then I wouldn't get road pedals because you'll wear out the cleats, I know I did from city riding on my road bike but im getting better at trackstanding on the roadie. MTB pedals are excellent too. Clipping in/out become second nature with time

I just ordered some SPD-SL 105s. I was thinking of Ultegras but I saw 105 is literally just a few grams heavier and 1/2 the price (I can't find any good info on the two)

I like eggbeaters and run them on my fixed gear and road bikes. I have never given real road shoes and road pedals a try. I like being able to walk around in my shoes. I have some Specialized BG Mountain Comp, or something like that.

I chose eggbeaters because I read they were the easiest to get into and get out of. I have had a couple of spills, but only because I wasn't paying attention.

I have eggbeaters on both bikes and shimano MTB shoes that I wear all day long at work. no problem walking around in a MTB shoe

I usually do between 10 and 20 miles, so I might be considering it then. The only thing for me is the stopping and going here. Probably gets to me a little more than others cause I honestly suck at tarckstanding.

Sounds like SPD shoes + pedals might be a better idea then, at least til I get the hang of it. I'll also look into those egg beaters.

Keep the suggestions coming! Thanks!

+1000

I use my clips on longer trips. The back and up pull is so awesome.
But I'm trying to practice trackstanding better before I put them on for regular commute. There's nothing scarier than falling from a trackstand while clipped in into a nyc intersection. That'll be horrible. Or I guess I can just clip out.

I think you should give it a try. Or use it as weekend longer ride setup :D

My clipless setup is SPD-SL with Sidi Genius 5 shoes. Horrible for walking, awesome ride tho.

If you're riding far enough to care, go clipless for sure. If there's much at all in the way of stop-and-go, go mountain. I rode eggbeaters for a while and have since since switched to ATACs. Both perform about the same, but ATACs have proven more durable and I won't be going back.

definitely think it's a good thing and i'd like to try it myself. i'm still a little scared of the idea though 'cause when i was little my older sister tried to teach me to ride and duck taped my feet to the pedals. it was not fun. i know it's nowhere near the same thing, but i'm still a little hesitant.

I'm sure I'm going to get ripped for this but WTF. I don't like them at all, I mean unless your training for a race or some **** why would you use 'em? Want to be a better rider so you can zoom past slow riders while giving them the stink eye? OK, if thats what you do but again, why would you use them if not for those reasons? I used to commuted to work daily rain or shine for 8 years with clips and straps with no problems, and I tried clipless for 2 of those years.....hated it and still do.

I second ATACs for durability. They withstand a lot of unclipping and walking. As for WTF, I just think it's fun.

I like them a lot more than clips and straps, and you don't. It's just another way to try and enhance the feel of riding.

I use these on all my bikes.

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._1033468_-1___

Inexpensive, and no hassle return to performancebike if you absolutely hate them. I commute in the city (chicago) and I would never go back to pedals that I can't clip into. I like the above pedals because I can wear regular shoes if I want to without switching pedals, and they have a spring adjustment screw which determines how tightly the pedals hold onto your shoes when clipped in. I leave it quite loose for city riding, which involves a lot of stop/start, and tighten it up for longer rides.

The shoes I use:

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...1_20000_400034

Easy to walk around in. There is 'some' clacking of the cleats when you walk, but they are very comfortable on or off the bike.
Buy some shoes and pedals from someplace with a 100% no hassle return policy, and what have you got to lose? You will be AMAZED at how much better it feels to bike clipped in. I know I was...

It's not about beating someone to a stoplight and giving them the stinkeye. Don't be so dramatic.

It's simply more efficient. No different than running proper tire pressure or fitting yourself properly on the bike. It makes the ride less work.

To each his own. I don't like cheese or mushrooms.

I am a recent clipless convert! I picked up a geared bike with look pedals and found some new w/o box shoes with look delta red's for $35. I figured for that price, if I really don't like clipless, I didn't really put in a large investment.

Clipless makes you feel REALLY connected to your bike. I used to worry about foot-pedal placement alot but with clipless, you never have to worry about it once it's setup. Also, unclipping isn't really an issue. You might fall the first ride b/c you forgot but unclipping is almost natural once you get the hang of it. Now that I like it, I can invest in a better setup. I'm thinking SPD is the way to go for me (alot of walking & errands).

I'm looking at these Shimano PD-A530 b/c:
1. SPD setup is nice for wearing one pair of shoes. Riding, walking
2. If I don't have my riding shoes, they're platforms. Still rideable
3. My friends and I sometimes switch bikes while riding (they only use platforms). This way I can use their bikes and they can use mine.

For me the debate came down to what I use my bike for.

It is my mode of transportation. So for school I don't mind carrying an extra pair of shoes with me as I also carry an extra pair of clothes.
However, I only have one bike. So that means when I just want to hop on and ride to a friends house, I would have to wear shoes with cleats, and if I thought there might be a chance we go elsewhere or walk somewhere, then I have to bring shoes too. I'm a minimalist in a way (hence the 1 bike) and don't like to carry things with me if I don't have to.

I decided since I have only one bike at the time, which is sometimes borrowed by friends, it is best to not do clipless.

If I go out for the weekend for a good ride just to ride, sure I'll throw the clipless pedals on, otherwise, I just keep it simple with clips and straps.

Having said that, since you always have a pack, why not? Put some shoes in for walking, and you're set. Maybe if you are worried about stopping in the city so much, you should just run more lights.

And anyone who doesn't like cheese is subhuman in my book.

My setup: Shimano SPD M520s and MTB shoes (Specialized Riata, which probably doesn't help you much since it's a women's shoe).

I have never ridden straps because I learned to ride a road bike and clipless at the same time. I have, however, put thousands of miles on my setup on all kinds of terrain, and I would highly recommend it for beginners.

LOL! I do agree that it's more efficient but its also a pain in the ass that has many down sides, and how much efficiency did/do I need on a 5 mile commute? or a 30 mile ride? =0) I'm glad that we can disagree without having an aguement. =0) BTW, I'd say 75% of the riders in Philly are all about zoomin' past slow riders while giving them the stink eye. Heres something funny, I love both cheese and mushrooms! LOL!

HOW DARE YOU??? :D

i agree it really comes down to what u use ur bike for tho.