I went clipless at last

Avoneer

Hi All,

After nearly 20 years of commuting (various bikes apart from a roady), I finaly took the plunge and forked out for a pair of Lake MX165's and some Shimano PD-M520's for £90.

I've always been a bit wary of clipless and how I would adapt, but after a few clicks on the bench with shoe and pedal in my hands to see how they worked, then a few whilst stationary sat on the bike and a quick ride up and down the road, I think I'll be fine.

Nearly a week and 100 miles later, they are awesome.

The pedaling is so much easier and I was really suprised how efficient they make you.

I find myself now pulling more then pushing, but I also like to sit on hills rather that stand up.

I've only had one incident as well when I pulled up at some lights, forgot and leaned over - Fatal....

I ended up laid on my side still attached to the pedal under the bike - was really funny looking back and I must of raised a few smiles.

Anyway, if you're thinking of doing it - do it - starts are easier than I thought they would be as you can just rest your feet any old how on the pedals and get going and then clip in once you're up to speed - jut remember when you are coming to a stop to click out slightly before you stop.

Can't wait for my 1st roady now coming in a few weeks.

Pat...

Gilbie

Good man for giving them a go! I was in the same boat, nervous to start with but wouldnt go back now.

symo

Thats nothing I still love them even after collapsing leftward at the lights last night on the Kiron andscuffing my new fatty bar tape and ultegra lever.

secretsam

I think I still prefer the old clips and straps, I keep getting caught out and having 'clipless' moments...

biondino

symo wrote:

Thats nothing I still love them even after collapsing leftward at the lights last night on the Kiron andscuffing my new fatty bar tape and ultegra lever.

I think you have to look on scuffs and scratches as war wounds, or like how crow's feet lend warmth to a face. Like I always prefer how books look when they've been read many times.

symo

biondino wrote:

symo wrote:

Thats nothing I still love them even after collapsing leftward at the lights last night on the Kiron andscuffing my new fatty bar tape and ultegra lever.

I think you have to look on scuffs and scratches as war wounds, or like how crow's feet lend warmth to a face. Like I always prefer how books look when they've been read many times.

But the horror the horror of non immaculate kit.

Paul E

first time i had fitted them to a bike, i pedalled out of my garage down the road a bit went back into the garage, forgot to unclip fell to my left right onto the aluminium ladders that were stored on the floor up the middle of the garage, OUCH luckily no one was passing the end of the drive at the time otherwise it would have added embarrassment to the pain i was already feeling.

Avoneer

biondino wrote:

symo wrote:

Like I always prefer how books look when they've been read many times.

They smell good as well - like old army kit - that always smells nice.

Anyway, no more falls yet - had a few "moments" though and mostly when I'm coming to a stop in front of my garage - saved by the wheelie bin several times.

Pat...

Agent57

After falling off about 4 times tonight, I'm putting flats on my new MTB!

On my road bike, I find I can't really start pedalling without being properly clipped in. My shoes just slide off the pedals as I put the power down.

SimonLyons

The worst moment I ever had was with some pedals from Aldi about 4 or so years ago.

I was used to Shimano SPD pedals.
I went out for a short test run. I tried to unclip but couldn't. I had to pedal slowly, undo the laces on my shoes and take my feet out and then lever the shoes off.
The shoes had recessed clips and the gap wasn't quite big enough to allow "easy" unclipping.

Avoneer

Scary (but funny) at the same time.

Similar to when I had a BMX in the old days and my loose shoelace wrapped round the crank and tied me to the pedal - cool until I came to stop.

Pat...

FeynmanC

I had another "moment" last night.

I even had time to think to myself "Bugger! Your going to fall over" :oops:

FeynmanC

Avoneer wrote:

Similar to when I had a BMX in the old days and my loose shoelace wrapped round the crank and tied me to the pedal - cool until I came to stop.

Pat...

That happened to me too - but i stopped when I rode headlong into a kerb cos I was looking down to try and free it.

Well, I didn't actually stop when I hit the kerb, the bike did and I stopped a little further onto the pavement when I landed on my head

gadgets

FeynmanC wrote:

I had another "moment" last night.

I even had time to think to myself "Bugger! Your going to fall over" :oops:

I had this moment last Saturday which earned me a road rash badge and a constant fear that it was captured in CCTV and will be in youtube soon :oops:

flathunt

I've got a pair of Shimano SPD pedals and size 11 shoes in the shed if anyone wants them, after almost ending up under a bus on Putney Bridge whilst I was flailing around trying to get my feet off the pedal and he figured he'd either go through me or over me. For a commute with about 20 sets of traffic lights and endless junctions they're a dangerous liability.

rolf_f

Anyone got any opinion on the use of the cleats that give less lateral movement? I have a feeling that I'd like to try those - in theory, the unclip should be easier and I think me feet tend to want to point outwards anyway which the less slack cleats would cure.

Avoneer

My setup certainley isn't tight with a fair bit of wiggle left and right without disengaging.

Pat...

girv73

I switched to SPDs (on a road bike, I know) a few months ago after decades on flats and toe-clips, and I wouldn't go back. I only had a couple of hairy moments near the start and have been fine since.

My commute isn't too encumbered by traffic lights though and I can understand clipless may be a pain if your route is very stop-start.

Kieran_Burns

flathunt wrote:

I've got a pair of Shimano SPD pedals and size 11 shoes in the shed if anyone wants them, after almost ending up under a bus on Putney Bridge whilst I was flailing around trying to get my feet off the pedal and he figured he'd either go through me or over me. For a commute with about 20 sets of traffic lights and endless junctions they're a dangerous liability.

I use double-sided pedals for my commute (SPDs) which means I have a flat pedal on one side for the stop start bits of the journey and the clips for when I have long stretches - best of both wolds, but it does mean being careful which side your feet are on.

downwardslide

I use the double sided M324's as well. Tend to stay clipped in for the commute, but great to have the option of riding in normal shoes if I'm just popping down to the shops or something.
Only hairy moment I've had is due to losing one of the cleat bolts, so when I tried to unclip, the cleat twisted on the shoe rather than disengaging, luckily i'd given myself plenty of time so managed to unclip on the other side instead.

pedalo delgado

Double sided too - handy as I have a fair few sets of lights to stop at.
(holmlea road victoria road t'toon)
Took me a few weeks before I forgot and had 'the moment'
Felt a right chump - in front of a bus queue at the lights outside Victoria Hospital.
Have toppled three times in a year of commuting - all in front of an audience.
*hurrah*
G

.

Wallace1492

Just got my doubles for the Tricross, off to fit them at lunchtime.
Had a few "moments" on SPD's, but mainly off road with the MTB, when I clipped in by accident at a dodgy up-n-over through tree roots.

Worst pedal moment was a number of years ago when had clips with shoes with small groove that when clips were tightened, was impossible to get off the pedal. Had been doing long run and came to quiet village and T junction, now been through it loads an usually very quiet, but this day, car after car crawled by the junction, and I had to go slower and slower, eventually had to stop, then the realisation dawned, and down i went grasping at my shoes!! To make it worse, a bunch of club cyclists were on the other side of the road having ice cream.... to be fair none of them laughed, and I manfully walked round corner before squealing.... no damage done, but was ever so carefull after.