Plexus

I bought the Shimano PD-a530 pedals but have not found SPD shoes yet. I wanted to get the Keen Commuter iii sandals but I seriously cannot find my size anywhere (size 8 1/2 Mens). Perhaps this is a good thing because I've been researching about clipless pedals and I'm starting to suspect they don't really provide all the pedaling efficiency people talk about. For the few studies I have found, it does not appear that there is any significant power gain on the upstroke or decrease in muscular efficiency.

In any case, don't want to get into this debate now. I thought the best thing to do would be to try clipless shoes for myself and see if I prefer flat pedals. But my concern is that I'm leaving in three weeks and almost everyone has said to expect a few light falls. I'm worried that one of these light falls could break a bone or sprain an ankle and I'm leaving for a two month tour in 3 weeks--not enough time for recovery.

What do you all recommend? How long did it take you to become comfortable riding clipless?

Should I sell my Shimano 530s or pick up a pair of SPD shoes and test them out? And does anyone know where I can buy a pair of Keen Commuter iiis 8 1/2 men's if I decide to try clipless?

bradtx

Plexus, I like clipless pedals. I don't really know if there is as much a need for them on a touring bike as on a roadie or mountain bike. I'm also a bit leery of experimenting close to the start of a trip. Not so much of the falling (I didn't), but rather proper adjustment and placement of the cleats in the shoes.

Why don't you try clipless after the tour.

Brad

andrewclaus

I never fell once using clipless pedals. It took a few days to get used to them. I used them for a decade or so, touring and commuting many thousands of miles per year, before switching back to the old toe clips. It turns out I just like biking in walking shoes, since I enjoy walking as much as I enjoy biking.

I agree with the studies you've read. But it seems easy enough to find a study somewhere on the internet to support whatever you want to support, isn't it? Good luck with whatever decision you make.

irwin7638

For what it is worth, I eventually gave up clipless pedals because of touring. The awkward shoes and hot foot from hours on the pedals while hauling a load on a heavy bike took away too much fun. I went to VP Components "Thin Gripsters" and have no regrets. The little rivets on the pedals hold your foot in place without any special shoe and the wide platform spreads the pressure and minimizes the "hot foot."



Marc

staehpj1

I like clip-less a lot. Well worth the change for me. If you go the clip-less route be sure to spend time getting the cleat angle and placement right. Take the time and tweak them until they feel right. adjust them in the middle of their adjustment and ride around the block. Pay attention to how they feel. Remind yourself to clip out and stop. Think about whether you want to move the cleats fore and aft or toe in or out more. Make any adjustments and ride around the block again. Again remind yourself to clip out. Repeat as many time as necessary. I find that most people repeat this enough that they are already conditioned to clipping in and out when they have the adjustment down pat.

BTW, The adjustments can be tiny and it can be tricky to measure where you are with them. I find it helps to clip the shoe in without your foot in it and measure how far the heel is from the crank arm with the pedal in a repeatable position. That way you can keep track of how much and which direction each change is.

If you feel any knee pain or discomfort especially in the first few hundred miles, but also in general, see how the knee feels when you rotate the foot toe in or out just for the few degrees of float. If it feels better one way or the other adjust the cleat very slightly in that direction.

Oh and be aware that both sides may not want to be adjusted exactly the same, we humans not always being completely symmetrical.

If all of that doesn't work maybe get a professional fitting, but I never found that necessary nor have the friends and family members that I have helped set up their pedals.

BTW on the efficiency studies... Most folks who talk about the various studies really are referring to Grant Peterson's interpretation of them and rambling on the topic. He says, "The good pedalers----the guys in the logo costumes and the white sunglasses and shaved legs----minimize the downward force onthe upward-moving pedal more.They don't pull up on it or even unweight it. They just minimize the downward pressure on it, so one leg isn't fighting the other as much." After reading that I think that you have to ask yourself how having one leg fighting the other less isn't a gain in efficiency. Even a small gain on each pedal stroke adds up over the many thousands of strokes per day. So I'd advise not taking his interpretation as gospel.

I find that the consistency of getting my foot placement the same each time is a big plus. I'd advise that pedals with a lot of float are not usually required or even beneficial for most riders if they take the time and effort to get everything set up right. If you are using the float during each pedal revolution, you either have poor form or some weird bio-mechanical issues.

On the other hand if you don't make the effort to get it right that same consistency could cause knee issues if it is consistently wrong. I am convinced the 95% of people who say they need a lot of float are using the float instead of getting their cleats properly adjusted. Better to take the time and effort to get it right and do any little tweaks over time until it is perfect for you.

My other advice is to buy a good brand of shoes. Sidis are hard to beat. Their lower end MTB shoes are ideal for touring IMO. The model names seem to change over the years, but I think the Giau is a current Sidi model in the price range I'd recommend for most tourists.

The bottom line though is that you can wear whatever you want as long as you are happy with it.

mm718

For me it wasn't worth the expense, fiddling, and need for extra shoes. I am much more comfortable with platforms. I would suggest skipping the clipless for the tour and then try them out at your leisure when you get back to see if you really like them.

Shifty

It takes only a few hours to get use to using clipless systems. It will help you more than you think, I say get set up today and you'll be happy you did.

benda18

If you're really concerned bring a backup pair of platform pedals and a pedal wrench, and on day 2 of your trip after you've made your mind up, send home whichever pair of pedals you don't like (and the wrench).


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alan s 

I love clipless pedals. When I occasionally ride without them, it feels strange. Aside from being able to pull up on the pedals, which is good because it uses your muscles differently, the main benefit is your feet don't come off the pedals on bumps or climbing out of the saddle, and they are always in the optimal position on the pedal.

Any fall would likely be at 1 mph or less, so serious injury is not likely, other than to your pride. When just starting with clipless, I fell once trying to ride over a root, and rolling backwards before I could unclip. You should have plenty of time to dial them in during the next three weeks.

Keen commuter sandals are great, both on and off the bike. I bought a pair at REI, so you may want to check there.

fietsbob

people show up on the coast having gone 3K miles on platform pedals across the continent.

axolotl

At this late date, I think the potential downside is far greater than the potential upside. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Doug64

I prefer the consistency of foot position and the security of having my foot anchored to the pedal, and use clipless pedal for all my riding.

My judo Sensei said, "do a move 1000 times and it is yours". However, I think most of us can learn to unclip fairly quickly as staehpj1 said.

Three weeks are plenty of time to try clipless pedals, and decide if you want to use them. You will probably come close to unclipping 1000 times on a 2 month tour, so the move will be automatic. Heck, if you ride through Cleveland, Ohio you will have 500 unclips out of the way. When it is all said and done, it is your choice and what you prefer.

staehpj1

I'll add another thing I forgot to mention. I set up my two Trans America companions both with clip-less pedals a day or two before the tour. We went through the setup very carefully and did many tiny adjustments until they were completely satisfied that the fit was right. By then they were both pretty used to clipping out. I reminded them each time for the first dozen times they stopped and they were fine. Both agreed that it absolutely was worth it.

contango 

I tried clipless, and on an initial test ride really liked them. The first time I used them in anger was also my first ever 200km brevet, which at the time set a new personal record for distance in a day. I had to fiddle with the cleats several times during the ride and finished using the platforms (I also have the A530, with SPD one side and platform the other) because my feet hurt.

Falling - I've been using them for two years and had one light fall. When I fell I picked myself up, dusted myself off, checked the bike was OK, and rode off.

For me the main benefit is that my feet stay put on the pedals. When I use platform pedals now I'm surprised at just how much my feet slide around.

All that said if you're going on a two month tour I'd be inclined to leave the whole "new SPD thing" until you get back.

alan s 

To those who think it's too late to switch to clipless three weeks before a ride, how long does it take to learn how to ride with clipless pedals and dial them in? 2-3 rides at the most, and you'll be there. Kind of like learning how to ride a bike...once you get the hang of it, there no more thought involved. I would regret embarking on a long tour without what I consider to be extremely helpful gear. Changing to a new saddle or new handlebars right before a tour could lead to fit problems, but I wouldn't put clipless pedals in the same category.

Cyclebum

Give 'em a try. Might be a perfect fit for you. Too much fiddle factor for me. Been there and done it. Hot foot and walking about were major issues.

staehpj1

Remember that you can always change your mind and switch back during the tour if necessary.

Plexus

Great replies! I think three weeks is enough time for me to get used to them.

I'm still having a hard time finding anywhere that sells the Keen Commuters. I called my local REI and they said they haven't carried them for around a year now, and before that they would carry a few pairs on clearance. I suspect that Keen discontinued them. I'm trying to talk to someone through live chat now on Keen's website but they aren't replying.

staehpj1, I'll check out the Sidis for a possible alternative. And thanks for the detailed suggestions!

staehpj1

Good luck, I hope you have a great tour.

Shifty

Are you sure that a size 9 will not work for you? Lots of adjustability there.
Sandals Cycling Products - BikeTiresDirect

Plexus

CSR on Keen's website said that all of Keen's cycling line are officially on hiatus. He also said the commuters are a little short but wide. I have fairly narrow feet so I don't think a size 9 would work for me.

JDFLood

It only takes one ride to get used to them. You forget when you come to a halt the first time and fall down. Then you remember. I have been using them for... 15 20 years, I have one bike without, drives me crazy. Going 50 mph down a pass, clip less is the only way to go. you become part of the bike.

Doug64

The one area where folks have difficulty with clipless pedals is starting on a hill. It would pay to practice this a few times before you run into the situation with a loaded bike.

alan s 

This thread has some useful information.

https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...t-finally.html

JoeyBike

I cycled much of the length of the Rocky Mountains - US and Canada - in Adidas running shoes with quill pedals and toe clips.

I cycled for 6 months and 6,000 miles over 30+ mountain passes in Hi-Tec light hikers high-tops and toe clips. Had to shave rubber off the soles to get them to fit in the clips.

I cycled for 7 Months and 6,000 in Merrell trail runners and toe clips.

I cycled for 5 months and 3,000 miles in Six-Six-One touring shoes with SPD clips.

I currently use platform pedals or SPD clips daily - depending on my mood and which bike I grab.

My message: Any sturdy shoe that you are comfortable in, with a suitable pedal for that shoe will work fine. DON'T OVER-THINK THE SHOES!