I've got knackered ankles, sore knees and dodgy hips should I try clipless?

mikes-brother

As per title thread - interested in trying clipless for leisure riding / bikepacking / gravel riding

Worried that having my legs held in same position with clips may aggravate my accumulated injuries. (Mostly worried about knees, the ankles fused so less of an issue)

any thoughts appreciated.

First.Aspect

You may want a pedal system with some float, so your knees can naturally align.

By leisure riding, are we talking afternoon with the family along a tow path, or a few hours for some fitness?

mikes-brother

Leisure riding = a few hours out enjoying the countryside up and down a few hills - on road or gravel. Not racing, not trying to beat strava segments etc.

yes I would need some float definitely - and more than most people -- that's the question really.

mikes-brother

& I've got on fine with flat pedals for many years - but cycling more now

First.Aspect

You don't actually need a lot of float, but personally the quality of float is important. Some pedal systems have more resistance to float than others once you put the power down.

I use Speedplay. Those have very free float at all times, which I love but some don't. I've also used Look, and in my fairly limited experience, they were quite different in that respect.

mikes-brother

OK - thanks - I will try those two systems when I get a chance

ps Impressive X-ray

mikes-brother

(how did you do that?)

First.Aspect

mikes-brother said:

(how did you do that?)

It was a smidsy.

me-109

Not advisable to use Speedplay on gravel though. Any step offs or walking will see the cleats full of dirt. Take more maintenance than other systems. Newer Wahoo gen pedals at least remove some of the faffing.

First.Aspect

If its proper gravel with potential for mud amd some walking, no road system will be suitable.

You are really looking at spd's and mtb shoes.

If it is some nice almost road like cinder track and mostly road, speedplay is no better or worse than any other pedal system to be honest. It is the bearings, not the cleats that are the issue.

MidlandsGrimpeur2

OP - do you need shoes as well if you are switching, I assume you do?

If that is the case and you are doing more gravel/off road than road, you may want to look at a MTB shoe with something like a shimano XT pedal. Could be another viable option and is what I use for gravel riding.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-rc2-road-bike-shoes-154188.html are a relatively uncommon option for both 2- and 3-bolt cleats. Presuming it doesn't cause issues, put bolts in unused threads, in case you dabble in both versions.

Time ATAC 2-bolt pedals are great for float, but there have been QC issues since my still used pair from 2006 (XS Carbons) on the commuter.
I got my first 3-bolt in '19, Time Xpro 10s, they needed much more precise setup due to less float and my bow legs.

mikes-brother

thanks everyone, that's really helpful. I've a pair of MTB shoes (Bontrager £100ish) which are OK with flat pedals. But aren't nearly as robust (or as well made) as my Scarpa approach shoes. So yes it's the MTB pedals I'm thinking of ..... thanks all for the great ideas there - I will try and find a specialist shop and test some -

mr.b-campag

What do you actually want clipless pedals for? Do you have problems slipping off flat pedals or something else? As you are not racing they will make almost no difference to your power output, and if you are primarily using them off road in a fairly leisurely manner I would have thought you are better off sticking with flat so you can put your leg out around corners for stability etc. if you find yourself going that fast.

mikes-brother

mr.b-campag said:

What do you actually want clipless pedals for? Do you have problems slipping off flat pedals or something else? As you are not racing they will make almost no difference to your power output, and if you are primarily using them off road in a fairly leisurely manner I would have thought you are better off sticking with flat so you can put your leg out around corners for stability etc. if you find yourself going that fast.

Thanks, those are very good points - especially about putting my leg out round corners.

webboo

If you are not racing why do you need to put your leg out to get round a corner.

DeVlaeminck

I tend to agree - clipless pedals are over rated for leisure riding.

I do use them on my road bikes but I prefer flats on my MTB (which is fully rigid and used more for gravel rides). That said no harm in trying clipless other than a bit of expense.

First.Aspect

I have used clipless for so long I struggle to ride up hills on flats. I kick my own backside. Kind of.

mikes-brother

webboo said:

If you are not racing why do you need to put your leg out to get round a corner.

when I lose control!

webboo

Using clipless might improve your cornering technique then.

laurentian

Buy a pair of these and use as and when you do/don't clip in - best of both worlds. Ive got them on my pub/winter bike

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m324-combination-pedals

orraloon

laurentian said:

Buy a pair of these and use as and when you do/don't clip in - best of both worlds. Ive got them on my pub/winter bike

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m324-combination-pedals

^ An option. I use SPDs on all my bikes, a follow through from a lot of MTBing in 90s, but I tend to have them on quite loose tension setting so can have a fair bit of ankle and knee wiggling. And fast unclip!

dj58

^ Same here. OP if you already own 2 bolt pattern MTB shoes, buy some double side SPD pedals and as above set the pedal tension setting to the lowest, you will have sufficient float and be able to unclip easliy, even with the SH-51 single release cleats. You will only experience difficulty unclipping when the cleats become exessively worn.