Is it time to give up?

6wheels

Cheers, wondered why I couldn't find the article.

Moonbiker

GCN video comparing them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNedIJBZpgM

dj58

keef66 wrote:

As a youth back in the 70s I rode thousands of miles in my school shoes on flat pedals with toeclips (and my jeans tucked into my socks to protect them from the cotter pins securing the cranks...)

Ah, those were the days eh Keef?

cooldad

HaydenM wrote:

cooldad wrote:

Flats and 5 10s or similar. Mountain bikers manage.

As a slight aside, my new 5.10s are pretty poor quality, they seem to be getting worse and worse. I get a lot of cramp type pain in my feet on long, rough downhills because they flex around the pedal too much which all my old pairs never did. I'm not sure if the pain would translate to road riding in them but it might over hard efforts/climbs. Not sure what the alternatives are

I did say similar. Most people have 5 10. I have a couple of pairs of Sombrio.

But mainly needs soft rubber and a stiff sole

webboo

5.10 climbing shoes used to be notorious for their poor build quality. I haven't worn any for a few years but I gather from what folk on UKbouldering say some models don't last the distance.

iron-clover

If you're not worried about absolute performance, a comfy pair of trainers and flat pedals are perfectly fine for riding in. My brother rides like that (I did try to convert him to clipless) and has done some very long days in the saddle on our Way of the Roses trip without them causing any issues.

If you are performance orientated then the next best thing to clipless is some old school road shoes and pedal straps- but to get them tight enough to be worthwhile you won't be able to get your foot out...

DeVlaeminck

Shame if the OP does give up but another vote here for using flats - then in 6 months give clipless another go. Back in the day most riders probably started on flats as kids anyway so there is no shame in not adapting to clipless straight away. I'd also try some easy release pedals when she does try again.

bendertherobot

To the OP.

Tour De Celeb. Angellica Bell.

Don't give up!

LukeTC

Webboo wrote:

5.10 climbing shoes used to be notorious for their poor build quality. I haven't worn any for a few years but I gather from what folk on UKbouldering say some models don't last the distance.

I found the same thing, I always have wondered why companies like Evolv or Boreal haven't branched out into cycling territory

emma154

Thanks to all who've taken the time to reply. There was a lot of frustration in that post as I think was clear! I probably should have said but I was wearing SPD's at the time and had loosened the tension so in general they are easy to get into and out off. But doing so quickly is a skill I do not have. Toppling over didn't hurt but finding myself on the ground with a car heading towards me and not being able to move much because I was still clipped in was well ... I think even those who say clipless are fine would concede falls are more common to start and when they say that's usually ok it means sometimes it's not! Anyway.

I am competitive so admitting defeat is one source of frustration but so was the lack of options after settling on flats. M324 pedals is one I've looked at as I would want to clip in for a turbo trainer but I can also use the flats outside. However footwear is then a problem in winter as it's all geared around clipless. Stiff soled shoes that are warm enough for a 4h ride in winter is something I have struggled to find! One MTB forum suggested army boots for winter for example and that might work but I hoped there would be something better (it's possible but perhaps there's no market for it). Anyway the other frustration was realising that I may end up stuck indoors during the winter when the whole thing was about getting outside. Sorry about that.

mrfpb

emma154 wrote:

M324 pedals is one I've looked at as I would want to clip in for a turbo trainer but I can also use the flats outside. However footwear is then a problem in winter as it's all geared around clipless. Stiff soled shoes that are warm enough for a 4h ride in winter is something I have struggled to find!

I use a pair of flat Chrome Kursk Storm shoes and a pair of Endura overshoes - they keep the wet out really well on my muddy canal rides and wet road rides. I decnt pair of wooly socks helps as well.

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Endura-Road-Wat ... wodEN0ANA#

https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/endura_baa ... lsrc=aw.ds

The endura socks are thin enough to go under normal socks and still fit your usual shoes. They stay warm when wet if you do end up with wet feet.

keef66

MTB winter boots have stiff soles and are grippy enough to use on flat pedals without cleats.

eg http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-mw5-dry ... oad-shoes/

They ain't cheap though...

hsiaolc

If you have problem with SPDs then Speedplay is not for you either.

Normally we can clip in and out very fast but in a accident it is impossible because it is a split seconds thing and normally we are trying to steer away from trouble first before even thinking about clipping out.

Give you one example. I was riding to work going through Regents park and there was a set of lights around the bend, my mind was elsewhere and when I released it was red, I panicked and grabbed the brakes. I went over the bars and went over my bars and landed with my hands for impact. My watch (Titanium) strap completly detached and the face torn. I suffered minor injuries but at no time did I have enough time to clip out. In an accident it clips out by itself. At least the SPDs was designed to do that.

Another time I flipped because a pedestrian decided to just walk into my cycle part (cycle lane too) and I crashed into him and flipped over the bar and landed on my back with my back pack. Again I had no time to clip out but it did it for me.

I actually though you quit already. But sounded like you are just frustrated.

I am not sure how you fell and the relation with regards to Clipless? So you come to a red light or stop and you can't clip out fast enough? Normally myself and I see others anticipate the lights and we clip out 10 meters before the stop?

I really do find clipless (cipped in) so much secure than flats. Once you clipped you can't slip. I really do find riding flats insecure. I only do it now on MTBs because I want to learn Bunny Hop the proper way and not the way with clipless.

fenix

emma154 wrote:

. I think even those who say clipless are fine would concede falls are more common to start and when they say that's usually ok it means sometimes it's not! Anyway.

I'd disagree with this - I've not had one off with clipless pedals. I'm not understanding why you say that they're slow to disengage ?

You don't stop and then unclip. Coast to a halt and unclip as you're coasting.

If you are having lots of sudden stops then you need to read the road better.

You have a turbo - you can practice clipping and unclipping to your hearts content there.

mrfpb

Emma, meet Mike Brew, resident Bike Radar troll. Have you worked out how to block people yet?

Bobbinogs

OP, just get some decent cycling MTB shoes (winter options are available but don't lump in until you know the solution works), matched with good flat pedals with cages. You don't need tight cages, just use them for keeping your feet in position as they really do help and make a difference...in addition there is no reason why you should have a clipless moment using cages, although it is worth practicing on the turbo for confidence.

My wife cycles most days and has never used clipless. Cages suit spinners rather than stompers so you may need to adjust your style to suit.

fat daddy

MikeBrew wrote:

Of course, you could always look into fitting stabilizers to your bike.

don't do this ... stabilisers are fine for a straight line, but in the case of a severe camber or turn, its physically impossible to lean the bike and you will end up tipping it over. ... if I have seen that once I have seen it a million times

hsiaolc

He/she doesn't seem to be on the joking side so maybe should steer away from it.

She/He is here for our help not to be joked at.

smoggysteve

Maybe is not so much clipless but the type you are using. Something like SPD-SL although larger and ine sided can for some be easier to manage than SPD. Getting the technique of unclipping can be achieved if you stick at it. You do mention having a few near misses so try finding a quiet road wuth no cars and practice unclipping while going slow which seems another skill you need to work on. I believe that if you improved you bike handling skills at low speed you could unclip more confidently. My wife had issues with unclipping and it was all down to her skill at keeping going straight at a low speed. She was fine when riding at 15mph but she would wobble all over at a crawl. Hesitated flapped and fell over. I got her to get better at very slow speeds . Riding in a very low gear and spinning at a pace where snails were going past her quicker. Her core strength and balance has improved and now she has no issue unclipping.

homers_double

A wise old man once said "It is better to keep quiet and appear stupid than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt".

Take heed Brew...

fat daddy

heh .... you can only be a road cyclist if you wear clips ..... if that isn't already in the velonanumpty religion of making people conform then it should be

fenix

As we have already said - if you can't get on with clipless then don't worry. It's not like you lose a huge amount of power or anything if you don't have them.

OP - what kind of riding do you do ? Racing ? Sportives ? Hour Records ? Commuting ?

MikeBrew

emma154 wrote:

I've only recently started road cycling but it's not been working out for me and I think I'm going to have to give it up which I will find really sad. I've done a lot of indoor cycling in the past so my fitness is quite good but my problem is clipless pedals. I use these in the gym so am used to them at some level and enjoy the feeling while cycling but I know if I continue to use them on the road I will have a serious accident. I've now had a couple of very near misses and feel I have absolutely no control at slow speeds. It's definitely the clipless pedals at fault as it's not the case with flat pedals. I've honestly tried to use them and have read lots but no amount of practising has helped. The experienced folks out there will probably say it's all in my head and there is some truth to that (although watching a car wheel rolling inches from your head is hard to forget). But there is still a skill and I certainly don't have it. I thought I'd just use flats from now on but as far as I can see that's not really an option for road cycling at the level I want to do it. Although I can get flat pedals I can't find shoes that work for riding multiple hours particularly in winter. Does anyone have any suggestions? At the moment I'm thinking my only options are to use the bike permanently on a turbo or sell it. Whatever you do though please don't suggest having another go at clipless! Unless the bike is stationary I'm never going to attach myself to it. Never.

I think you all need to read the above once more (At least). Neurotic, negative, and pessimistic - or in a nut shell "temperamentally unsuited", seems to sum it up quite well. Why encourage something that will very possibly - by the OP's own admission - end in serious injury ? READ THE ORIGINAL POST and be more responsible with your online advice.

ForumNewbie

emma154 wrote:

I probably should have said but I was wearing SPD's at the time and had loosened the tension so in general they are easy to get into and out off. But doing so quickly is a skill I do not have.

Don't give up Emma - I use double-sided SPDs but I very rarely need to unclip quickly as I unclip my right foot well before any junctions or potential problems on the road. With my MTB SPD shoes I can easily pedal with one foot unclipped whenever necessary, just by pressing hard down on the pedal with my foot moved further up the pedal.

I also find it easy to only unclip the same foot (my right) on the road so to avoid any panic as to which foot to unclip with. My left foot stays clipped in until I get off the bike at a café stop or at the end of my ride.

veronese68

I used to use M324 before changing to flats on my pub hack. I must say I found the flat side a bit slippery which is one of the reasons I went to spiked flats. If you already have SPD cleats I'm happy to post my old 324s for you to try. I would say make sure you have the SH56 multi release cleats though.
I'd agree with the others and say ignore mikebrew. If you need to buy anything go to PlanetX to spite him.

MikeBrew

Veronese68 wrote:

I used to use M324 before changing to flats on my pub hack. I must say I found the flat side a bit slippery which is one of the reasons I went to spiked flats. If you already have SPD cleats I'm happy to post my old 324s for you to try. I would say make sure you have the SH56 multi release cleats though.
I'd agree with the others and say ignore mikebrew. If you need to buy anything go to PlanetX to spite him.

Well anyone is free to heed or indeed ignore ANY advice... @ OP, If you do end up in A+E or the back of an ambulance due to any of the advice given on here, be sure and let us know. :idea: Everyone on here seems extremely keen to ignore the near misses that you've already reported, before proffering theirs'....

step83

ForumNewbie wrote:

emma154 wrote:

I probably should have said but I was wearing SPD's at the time and had loosened the tension so in general they are easy to get into and out off. But doing so quickly is a skill I do not have.

Don't give up Emma - I use double-sided SPDs but I very rarely need to unclip quickly as I unclip my right foot well before any junctions or potential problems on the road. With my MTB SPD shoes I can easily pedal with one foot unclipped whenever necessary, just by pressing hard down on the pedal with my foot moved further up the pedal.

I also find it easy to only unclip the same foot (my right) on the road so to avoid any panic as to which foot to unclip with. My left foot stays clipped in until I get off the bike at a café stop or at the end of my ride.

I do the exact same thing I use M520 double sided MTB ones (café stops are far more pleasant). Unclip coming to the junction its the same as shifting down gears as you slow. Keep to one foot, do it a while an it becomes second nature.

thumperman

I'm 46 and have spent my life on one bike or another with about 30yrs messing around on a BMX, also lots of riding in the woods, road bikes when I was a teenager and mainly that now. On the road I have no worries with clipless myself and never did with toe clips and straps years ago either. I'm not a nervous cyclist at all but I still hate being clipped in in the woods (mtb) as I'm so used to getting the leg out in dodgy situations. I've tried it for a while but just feel uncomfortable.

So if your new to it it's understandable that it's awkward. Give it time and have patience. Spend half an hour every few days in a car park clipping in and out and riding around slow. It sounds like riding at slow speed is half the problem so if you get used to that in a large open area it may well help with the unclipping. Try and stay relaxed and balanced.

Sorry if I sound like some bl**dy sports trainer or something, I'm certainly not. But I've spent a few hours here and there learning (trying) to do awkward stuff on bikes.

ayjaycee

I haven't read this entire thread as once it descended into a bitching contest rather than offering actual help, I stopped reading! Apologies therefore if I am repeating advice already given by others.

Firstly, don't give up on SPD, at least not yet. That said, there is nothing wrong with using flats if all else fails. For what it's worth, my suggestion would be to get a pair of Shimano SH56 cleats which effectively allow you to easily unclip from any direction (even by lifting the foot straight up off the pedal) if the setting is loose enough and couple them with a pair of Shimano A530 pedals which give SPD on one side and a pretty serviceable flat on the other. After they are fitted, find a large supermarket car park and ride around and practise - really, you will get there in the end but it's not the end of the world if you don't and have to use flats on a permanent basis - a lot of people do.

mercia_man

Emma, ignore those rude jibes from mikebrew. Don't give up on cycling. There's plenty of good advice from others in this discussion.

I would suggest using Shimano double-sided SPD mountain bike pedals with the tension turned to minimum combined with SH56 multi-release cleats on your shoes. This will allow you to release your foot with a gentle pull upwards as well as the normal twisting action. You could also consider Shimano Click'R pedals which have those cleats and are specially designed for people having difficulty clipping in and out. See http://road.cc/content/review/69035-shi ... ls-pd-t400