Thinking of ditching Clipless Pedals

Soni

Hi Guys, i requested some Shimano Clipless Pedals and Shoes for Christmas but i'm seriously thinking of ditching them.

I've had my bike since around October, and 'was' going out every morning for 10 mile rides and 50-60 mile rides on a Sunday and was really enjoying it. I was originally using pedals with toeclips and wearing trainers.

However, since i've had the new pedals and shoes, i've only been out twice, one of which i came off in the ice and landing on my side in the middle of a lane on a blind bend.

The pedals released, but trying to stand up and walk in those shoes is just rediculous.

Other cyclists in the club i joined told me to get the mountain bike style pedals and shoes, as you can walk easier, but several different specialist rode bik shops i spoke to insisted the road pedals and shoes were the best choice for a road bike, hence the reason for my choice.

I wish i listened to the club guys now, as its seriously affected my enjoyment for the sport, as i'm not even looking forward to going out and haven't been out for over 2 months......

I was thinking of selling them and buying the mountain bike ones, but i'm going to loose money on selling the ones i have let alone not getting along with the mountain bike shoes/pedals if i was to purchase them, so i'm seriously thinking of going back to pedals with toe clips and buying some ultra slim trainers.....

What do you guys think? I know i would be taking a step in the backwards direction but its just killed my interest in riding.....

robmanic1

Soni wrote:

What do you guys think? I know i would be taking a step in the backwards direction but its just killed my interest in riding.....

Definite step backwards, you've had a bad experience, everybody without exception remembers there first clipless "off".
Wind-off the tension as much as you can and get used to the feeling of being attached. Practice clipping in and out as you ride and you'll soon get the hang of it.

Once you go clipless, you'll never go back!

redddraggon

I had about 4 clipless falls before I got used to the pedals......didn't dampen my enthusiasm.

As they'd say on the commuting forum, MTFU

It's not as though MTB pedals are any less likely to generate clipless moments.... just carry on riding the road system and get used to it.

brownbosh

I think you are following homers addage of
"if at first you dont succeed, give up its clearly not worth the effort". Pitiful! They are without a doubt the best tools for the job. They improve anyones cycling but just require a little planning on the users part. They are not for walking period. If you want to walk buy walking shoes. Otherwise start thinking about what you are going to do and when and stick with them. The benefits when turning the pedals are obvious.

iain_j

Ignore the bike shops. There's no reason you can't use MTB-style pedals/shoes. I have done for years with no trouble. Don't ruin your enjoyment for the sake of having the "right" equipment.

crankycrank

Why not just get some SPD shoes/pedals for winter walking traction and hang on to your road set for the summer?

dg74

I wish I had clipless pedals and shoes at the moment. I love(d) them.

antfly

Why not get the spd A520 shimano road pedals.They are like mountain bike pedals for road bikes

John.T

I always use MTB pedals and shoes in winter. They are easier to get into and walk in. Both considerations when the weather is bad. Don't get rid of the road ones, just put them back on when the weather improves. That is any time now. :roll: I see no point in using A520, the double sided ones are easier.

antfly

Well you only need one side when you are pedaling and the A520 have a bigger platform which I find is easier on my knees.They also look better.

Soni

Well i have two major problems with these pedals/shoes:-

1. When i came off in early January i hit Sheet Ice, and went down like a sack of cole, i had a helmet on and have no idea how my head didn't hit the road, i tensed the neck so rigoursly that it hurt for a few days later. Obviously i didn't want to risk riding the bike again that morning given the road conditions, so I therefore decided to walk the bike home, luckily only about 2 miles, but i couldn't even walk home, i just felt so helpless.

I could barely walk in those shoes, it was just adding insult to injury, i didn't want to ride the bike but at the same time felt so uncomfortable trying to walk the bike home i felt a complete dick!

2. When i stop at red lights, i can unclick fine, not a problem, until i go to clip back in, i only take out one foot, but trying to get that foot back in is a real nightmare, especially when you have cars revving up trying to race away and you're at the front messing around trying to get your foot back in the pedal.

Firstly, i pedal around half a turn with the pedal thats still clipped in, as its at the top, then i position my unclipped foot ontop of the pedal, and try and turn it another half crank so i can clip my foot in whilst its at the bottom near the road, but the material the bottom of the shoes are made of (really hard slippery plastic) just keeps slipping off the metal of the pedal and i can't even get the pedal around to the floor, it takes ages, by which time the bike has slowed down from the half a pedal i gave it with the clipped in foot so the bike is almost falling over on its side!

Also, the pedals i've got only clip in on one side, and the pedal doesn't stay straight so you can get your foot on it and clip in, ok so it doesn't spin right around, but you still have to move it around slightly....

Does the above make any sense?

ShaunL

Hi

It took me ages to get the guts to put my SPD pedals on my bikes but I simply wouldn't go back to pedals and toe straps.

You can come off with any type of pedal, sh!t happens.

Definitely go for the SPD SLs you have, you'll get used to them.

robmanic1

Soni, persevere and it will become second nature, trust me. Like I said, loosen the tension as much as poss to start with, then gradually tighten it as you become more confident (which you will).

redddraggon

You just need to get used to roadie pedals

STEFANOS4784

It all makes sense, sps-sl's can be slippery and i bashed my shins a few times, mtb pedals are much easier but they don't feel as secure and the small platform on my m520's can be a little un-comfortable on longer rides. Once you are clipped in do you notice the benefitsof your current system?

If you haven't been going out how can you expect to get used to them?

chuckcork

SPD's, I find they just seem to click in perfectly naturally.

As a result, on take off from lights I get up to speed considerably faster than users of other styles of pedals, I'm usually moving at speed while they're still wobbling around...makes people who jump in drop in of me at lights even more annoying!

John.T

Soni.
1. You have no chance on sheet ice. You just have to try to recognise it and if nessesary get off. Walking in road cleats is not easy. SPD-SL are better than some but still not good if it is slippery. That is why I use MTB shoes and pedals in winter and on fixed.
2. MTB double sided pedals are much easier to clip in. With practice you just have to hit the pedal. Road shoes and cleats are more difficult but with practice you can clip in quickly. I usually get in first time now but if I do miss it is a bit comical. As you say they are slippery
What type of pedals are you using. We may be able to give some pointers if we knew.
The main thing is to persevere. Along with Ergo/ STI levers they are the best thing to come out on bikes in years. And I started riding in the 50s.

CiB

When you set off from the lights, remember that you can easily ride one-legged for a little way to build up the speed and get out of the immediate way, then you can worry about slipping the free foot back in to the clip. It really is a matter of practice though and worth sticking with. At lights, is it feasible to lean against a sign, or even a handy truck or car (be discrete...!) with both feet still clipped in, until you get the hang of it? As for walking, road shoes with cleats are a nightmare to walk in anyway, even just to the garage to get the bike out. If you intend to walk anywhere then try the other sort. Lidl had some in the other week which were gong for a tenner and I bought some, but they're a neither-here-nor-there shoe, not much cop for riding and not v comfortable for walking either. Really though, it's about practice and confidence. Go out on some quieter roads and ride along, clipping and unclipping as you go. It'll soon become second nature.

STEFANOS4784

ChrisInBicester wrote:

At lights, is it feasible to lean against a sign, or even a handy truck or car (be discrete...!)

Do people actually do this :shock:
Don't you get shouted at?
Personally i wouldn't recommend using some random persons vehicle as a balancing aid.

John.T

+1

softlad

Soni - stop being such a poof...

Stick with it and it will become second nature. Buy some MTB pedals if you prefer, but either way, you are going to have to learn to get in and out of them efficiently.

If you work on the adage that "if every other f*ker can do it, then why can't I..?" - it will become much easier....

STEFANOS4784

softlad wrote:

Soni - stop being such a poof...

Stick with it and it will become second nature. Buy some MTB pedals if you prefer, but either way, you are going to have to learn to get in and out of them efficiently.

If you work on the adage that "if every other f*ker can do it, then why can't I?" it will become much easier....

Fair point, presented in an articulate manner, hats off to you sir!

redddraggon

softlad wrote:

If you work on the adage that "if every other f*ker can do it, then why can't I?" it will become much easier....

If Willhub can do it.......

antfly

You don`t seem to hold Willhub in very high regard,I`ve noticed.

redddraggon

antfly wrote:

You don`t seem to hold Willhub in very high regard,I`ve noticed.

Nah I just like winding him up

N4PALM

I use M520 pedals with M076 shoes. Mountain bike gear but that means nothing. Its my only bike and sometimes I go to sainsburys or down the cash machine on it and walk around plus I live in a flat and need to walk up and down stairs.

Theres zero shame in wearing mtb shoes on a road bike. There are many mtb shoes such as these M076 and SIDI shoes that look just like road shoes anyway but for a bit more grip on the soles.

I'm planning on getting A520 pedals at some point. And maybe if I get a fancy carbon bike in the future thats never going to go shopping with me I'll buy road shoes/pedals. Til then MTB shoes are my best choice, probably your best choice and for a lot of people they simply are the best choice no matter what the eliteist staff at their LBS says.

GregV

In Chicago the preference is the mountain bike type shoes. Much easier to clip out of and walk around on. Less clackity clack and more grip. You won't lose anything wearing them really performance wise. Much more comfortable than peddles and holds your feet where they should be.

ris

i started clipless with spd's and got on with them fine after only a couple of rides, but it took me a little while to get used to spd-sl's and suffered a lot with skidding off the pedal with the carbon sole.

after a while though it all starts to make sense and i generally clip in without having to look down (just to check the pedal is right way up), although once in a while i get the odd miss. it's still not quite as quick as using spd's, but i don't mind about that.

one thing i have struggled with in usig spd-sl's is clipping in while going uphill, i find it rarely happens easily and sometimes i have to walk a short way to find a more level spot to get started. doesn't help that my work is at the bottom of a short but mildly steep rise.

just persevere with it, you'll get the hang of it soon enough. i find the security of the spd-sl binding is well worth it.

rally200

antfly wrote:

Well you only need one side when you are pedaling and the A520 have a bigger platform which I find is easier on my knees.They also look better.

antfly
Which shoes are you using? I've just swapped for A520,s but still getting "hot spot" after 10-15 miles - then again I'm still using some pretty old MT41's - I wonder if they were ever stiff enough to start with.

Agree they look pretty good on a road bike, plus the platform seems to give a bit of surface to pedal on wihtout clipping in when playing in heavy trafific

antfly

Rally, I can`t see anything bad about them really,plenty of advantages and no disadvantages.
I wear Shimano RT51 touring shoes and I have never had a problem with hot spot.I did replace the crappy stock insoles with specialized ones.

Soni

Robmanic1 wrote:

Soni, persevere and it will become second nature, trust me. Like I said, loosen the tension as much as poss to start with, then gradually tighten it as you become more confident (which you will).

Hi Rob, i've loosened the tension right off allready, luckily as otherwise my feet may not have released when i came off in January........