Should an old rookie go clipless?
#52
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I am 73 and have had and used clipless for over 20 years I still use them on my road bike but use pinned pedals and regular shoes on my touring bike and other bikes. The advantage on my road bike is I like them better when standing up on hills, the disadvantage on long rides I tend to get hot spots. The pinned bmx style pedals eliminate the hot spot problem and the pins do a good job of keeping my foot in the place I select. Some people never fall using clipless but a lot of people do. At 73 the thought of a fall kinda worries me, although I haven’t had a clipless induced fall for many years. I did watch one of my buddies go down because of them and he was a long time user. When I first got them I had several falls because of forgetting to unclip. I use spd style, I have also used look style, seems the look was better for the hot spots. The only way to find out if they are for you is to try them, most long term bicyclists do at some point.
Last edited by Baboo; 08-29-18 at 05:12 AM. Reason: spelling
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#54
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Well I picked up a set of m324 pedals never used for$25 then couldn't believe I found a pair of Shimano mtn. Bike shoes in my size like new in a local thrift store for $9 . Been using them for a couple weeks with no mishaps. In my opinion they are pretty easy to get in and out of after a short time. I believe the only mishaps would occur if your not paying attention and not thinking in which case you shouldn't be in the road
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Well I picked up a set of m324 pedals never used for$25 then couldn't believe I found a pair of Shimano mtn. Bike shoes in my size like new in a local thrift store for $9 . Been using them for a couple weeks with no mishaps. In my opinion they are pretty easy to get in and out of after a short time. I believe the only mishaps would occur if your not paying attention and not thinking in which case you shouldn't be in the road
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I've been riding my vintage bikes with either half clips or with clips with loose fitting straps. I just can't get used to the idea of having my feet strapped in where I can't get out of them quickly.
I'm curious about clipless pedals. So other than the pedals what type of shoes would I need and what pedals would be good to start out with? Thanks Bob
I'm curious about clipless pedals. So other than the pedals what type of shoes would I need and what pedals would be good to start out with? Thanks Bob
Even with cleated road pedals, a good twist and they'll come out.
I rode with toeclips and straps TIGHT from about age 10 to my late 40's. Then jumped on the SPD bandwagon. I love them.
But, I pull up at least sometimes, and enjoy the stability it holds the shoes. Also stiff shoes.
The better shoes seem to be important especially as one pushes > 100 mile rides.
For me, the conversion from toeclips to clipless was quick and easy. Not 100% incident free (had troubles with loosing traction on my driveway climb), but I believe a lot transferred from the use of toeclips as well as my old road shoes... where did those go?
The question gets back to what you need. It sounds like your primary goal with the toeclips is foot positioning, and not the upstroke, or really holding the shoe in place.
It is worth trying, but if you don't like a shoe strapped down, I'm not convinced you'll like it clipped to the pedal.
I'd probably first look at some really grippy pinned pedals. You can even use SPD style cycling shoes with pinned pedals. Many new shoes come with cleat covers. Perhaps there are other stiff sport shoes to try.
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Some shoes, like the Bontrager Espresso, allow you to walk without the cleats hitting the ground. A friend of mine forgot to unclip and when she went down, put out her hand to break her fall. She did, and her wrist as well.
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Go Clipless,
I was a new rider several years ago and had concerns about clipless pedals. I bought the Shimano Click'r pedal (PD-T421). Clipless on one side and platform on the other. The Click'r pedals supposedly require much less effort to get into and more importantly out of. Use with the multidirectional cleat SH-56 cleat I have never not been able to get out (unclipped) when necessary. Also I have not had them un-clip while riding. I convinced my wife to try this combination and she has done well.
I still ride them today. No reason to switch to another pedal.
Rick D
I was a new rider several years ago and had concerns about clipless pedals. I bought the Shimano Click'r pedal (PD-T421). Clipless on one side and platform on the other. The Click'r pedals supposedly require much less effort to get into and more importantly out of. Use with the multidirectional cleat SH-56 cleat I have never not been able to get out (unclipped) when necessary. Also I have not had them un-clip while riding. I convinced my wife to try this combination and she has done well.
I still ride them today. No reason to switch to another pedal.
Rick D
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IME, going from old fashioned rat traps to these new fangled clipless thing-a-majigs that these young 'uns are using is a no brainer. Very easy to use and a lot quicker to release than the old toe clips.
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Personally, I'm not a fan of the multi-release cleats. I want one specific motion to associate my muscle memory. But YMMV.
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I mention this every time the topic comes up:
- It took me 10 years to get completely comfortable getting in and out of toecllips/straps.
- It took me two weeks to get completely comfortable getting in and out of clipless pedals.
- It took me 10 years to get completely comfortable getting in and out of toecllips/straps.
- It took me two weeks to get completely comfortable getting in and out of clipless pedals.
#63
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There's nothing wrong with clips and straps for starting out. Get some mountain bike shoes to go with them. That way you'll get nice stiff soles to prevent hotfoot and tired feet, and if you ever decide to go clipless and buy some SPD pedals, the pedals will come with cleats that you can install on the shoes you already have.
#64
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Two weeks ago I broke my ankle in three places while cycling. I was clipless and when the bike went away from me my left foot stayed firmly attached to the pedal and was horribly twisted. I'm looking at at least another 6 weeks non weight bearing. Of course it was wholly my fault , I took a bend far too fast and lost traction, but if I had been on flat pedals or loose toe clips like I did previously I might just have gotten away with a few nasty scrapes. I'm not saying my injury is at all typical and I was stupid, Thankfully the bike was undamaged ...below my wheels for the next few weeks
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I tried clipless pedals, but didn't like them. I like to be able to position my foot on the pedal, where I want it, with clipless, your foot position is where it's clipped in-period. I also like to be able to get off of the pedal quickly and easily. I didn't find it to be nearly as quick and easy with clipless. I'm using "BMX" pedals-the ones with "pins" in them to keep your foot from slipping. So whatever shoes I want to wear are OK, and I don't feel any loss of efficiency-it's not like, at 67, that I'm competing in any road races. I know some people swear by them, I couldn't stop swearing at them. Many I ride with in my age category are using the "BMX" style pedals now, and getting along fine with them.
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I am a weak rider. What I like about clipless pedals is:
When my quads get tired, I can use my hamstrings and pull up on the pedals while I rest my quads.
Cooling When the feet get hot, I can start pulling up on the back stroke and pushing on the down stroke. This causes fresh air to circulate into the shoe and cools the feet.
When my quads get tired, I can use my hamstrings and pull up on the pedals while I rest my quads.
Cooling When the feet get hot, I can start pulling up on the back stroke and pushing on the down stroke. This causes fresh air to circulate into the shoe and cools the feet.
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I've been riding my vintage bikes with either half clips or with clips with loose fitting straps. I just can't get used to the idea of having my feet strapped in where I can't get out of them quickly.
I'm curious about clipless pedals. So other than the pedals what type of shoes would I need and what pedals would be good to start out with? Thanks Bob
I'm curious about clipless pedals. So other than the pedals what type of shoes would I need and what pedals would be good to start out with? Thanks Bob
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Clipless is the best way to go. I just never got around to them when I finally dumped my old cleated leathers. I still use clips and straps on my road bike. I use platforms on my mountain and flat bar city bikes.
As for shoes, I have found Specialized Touring Elite works well with clips & straps (no cleat) and to go clipless. You can ride and walk on them. Not sure if they are made anymore, but really nice shoes.
As for what others use, I have no opinion.
John
As for shoes, I have found Specialized Touring Elite works well with clips & straps (no cleat) and to go clipless. You can ride and walk on them. Not sure if they are made anymore, but really nice shoes.
As for what others use, I have no opinion.
John
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I liked clipless pedals but don’t use them anymore. I’ve shifted to mtb flat pedals with spikes. I’ve been enjoying a set of Race Face Chesters which are reasonably priced, light and hold well (aggressive spikes). I use VP 001s on my road bike with less aggressive spikes. I haven’t found a huge loss in pedaling efficiency compared to my spd pedals. I can wear almost any pair of shoes with them and it is easy to quickly put a foot down if needed.
If you do go to clipless but fear falling, there is usually a way to adjust how tightly they hold the cleats. My spd pedals have a screw in the back that enables me to loosen the clamping force. It’s a fine line between just tight enough and cleats accidentally popping out. With some experimentation, I found a happy medium. Still feel safer on my flats.
john
If you do go to clipless but fear falling, there is usually a way to adjust how tightly they hold the cleats. My spd pedals have a screw in the back that enables me to loosen the clamping force. It’s a fine line between just tight enough and cleats accidentally popping out. With some experimentation, I found a happy medium. Still feel safer on my flats.
john