Clipless Pedals

[Groat]

Sorry for all the bike questions, but I've got another one for those of you who are more avid cyclists than I. I've only ever had cheap 'regular' platform pedals without straps or clips. I've got some credit at the bike shop and I'm wondering if some new pedals and the shoes to go along with them are worth it for the casual rider. I don't do super technical trails and I'm not a racer, just a guy who enjoys riding his bike off the beaten path. Even so, a good portion of my riding is done on unpaved paths.

The physics of a clipless pedal seems advantageous when compared to a pedal where your foot isn't attached to the bike at all. Seems like you could convert a bit of energy from the 'upstroke' of your leg to momentum, but that's just an uninformed guess. Would this upgrade provide the best 'bang for the buck' on a new, cheap mountain bike? If not, what else might I consider upgrading for ~$100?

 

[Poodle Soup]

Sorry for all the bike questions, but I've got another one for those of you who are more avid cyclists than I. I've only ever had cheap 'regular' platform pedals without straps or clips. I've got some credit at the bike shop and I'm wondering if some new pedals and the shoes to go along with them are worth it for the casual rider. I don't do super technical trails and I'm not a racer, just a guy who enjoys riding his bike off the beaten path. Even so, a good portion of my riding is done on unpaved paths.

The physics of a clipless pedal seems advantageous when compared to a pedal where your foot isn't attached to the bike at all. Seems like you could convert a bit of energy from the 'upstroke' of your leg to momentum, but that's just an uninformed guess. Would this upgrade provide the best 'bang for the buck' on a new, cheap mountain bike? If not, what else might I consider upgrading for ~$100?

I personally wouldn't have foot clips on anything other than a road bike. The straps make it so your feet will only come out one way. The foot clips are extremely easy to get your feet out but if the clips are packed full of dirt (such as if you stop while taking a ride on a dirt path through the woods) the clips can stick or wont clip in which makes the bike almost impossible to pedal.

Just my thoughts, I only ride on roads though. Someone who mountain bikes often may have another opinion.

 

[dklaiman]

I'd go clipless. With a mountain bike, you can get mountain bike specific pedals and cleats that disengage more easily than road bike pedals. You'll still get the benefit of the "up pull" while being less likely to kill yourself than with road pedals or the straps that go over your shoes.

 

[azmark]

I'd go clipless. With a mountain bike, you can get mountain bike specific pedals and cleats that disengage more easily than road bike pedals. You'll still get the benefit of the "up pull" while being less likely to kill yourself than with road pedals or the straps that go over your shoes.

I'd go clips with a mountain bike but would never use those straps that go over your shoe since you'll likely not break away from the pedal if you fall. With clips you can adjust the float to break away easier

 

[SSGDPM]

I use time atac clipless on my bikes. They work great and easy to get out of after a slight learning curve. I ride both on and off road and wanted one type of pedal and shoe for both bikes, these fit the bill for me.

 

[King Bongo]

It sounds like your riding style is kind of like mine, nothing too technical or racing. I ride a cyclocross bike as I like the versatility to be able to ride roads, trails, anything really. I use clipless pedals on my bike and I really like them. Up until about a years ago, I was using pedals with the strappy toe clips. I really noticed a positive change when I switched to clipless. I bought a cheap pair from Mountain Equipment Co-op, up here in Canada, but they also ship to the states at what appears to be a reasonable rate. I bought the Wellgo WPD-823 pedals, they cost around $30 CDN, and I have been using the for about a year with no issues whatsoever. I started with these, and for the cost I would buy them again when these go. Either way, have fun with whatever you choose!

 

[Groat]

Looks like a set of clipless pedals are the consensus on here. I priced out a set of beginner MTB pedals and shoes, Forte brand, at about $90 on sale at the local shop. I've got a 10% off coupon and about $53 in credit, bringing my out of pocket expenses down to about $30. Happy dance!

 

[Groat]

Just came back from my first ride with a set of clipless pedals and I really enjoyed myself. The pedals seem like they're of pretty decent quality and should last a while. Installation of the pedals and cleats is a cinch if you can turn a wrench. I ended up springing for more expensive shoes than I originally intended to buy, as the ones I saw online turned out to essentially be sneakers with a set of screws for cleats. Paying just a few more dollars for the shoes seemed to get me into the nicer stuff, so I didn't mind.

Seems like clipping in and out takes a little bit of getting used to, but for the most part is quite easy. I rode the bike around the block a couple times to practice before going on a longer ride, and didn't have much of a problem. While on the ride, I had one close call while stopping (took out the left foot and the bike tipped right) but managed not to fall. Clipping in after waiting at an intersection isn't bad, as I'm beginning to realize that as long as one foot is clipped in I can start moving through the intersection and clip the other foot in while I'm going.

I didn't go on one of my 'standard' routes, so I can't say for sure if they helped me go quicker.

 

[bindibadgi]

I'm glad to hear you like them. I won't ever go back now that I've got my clipless pedals; they really enhance the ride. Clips and straps are terrible IMO, and I could never enjoy them when I tried.

The only problem I've had is that occasionally I need to hop on the bike but don't have my shoes. The pedals are really uncomfortable under normal shoes, as they concentrate the pressure in a tiny area. That's not enough to convince me out of them though.

As an aside, I just got myself a singlespeed bike, and decided to go fixed gear. The clipless pedals are the only reason I didn't fall off while trying to ride fixed! If anyone ever wants to try out a fixed gear bike, I would strongly recommend learning clipless first, and then starting out on the fixxie with the clipless. Weird I know.

 

[evandood]

I have been riding for years, and I have been using clipless on road and mountain for about ten years. Once you get the hang of it NOTHING is better than the clipless. Word of caution though, go to a good bike shop, and get fitted. If the geometry is wrong you will put a lot of stress on your knees. As for getting in at out of them, I would practice on level ground getting in and out of them. In no time you will find it second nature. I like clipless much more than the rat traps I used to use. Hope this helps.

 

[perry]

I can still see the mark left when I fell while learning to ride clipless a little over a year ago. You WILL fall. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when.

I won't "seriously" ride a bike again without clipless pedals. I've sold my bike because it wasn't being used since I've started running, but I still have the pedals and shoes for the next time the bug bites me. I do spinning class every now and then at the gym and thought about buying cleats to match what they have on the spin bikes.

 

[Ghostwriter]

Glad you like them. I'd never go back to platform pedals.

Clipping in and out gets easier over time, due to experience and a little bit of wear on the cleats and pedals. At least, that's what I've noticed with all of my Crank Brothers pedals, anyway.

 

[tg16]

Just came back from my first ride with a set of clipless pedals and I really enjoyed myself. The pedals seem like they're of pretty decent quality and should last a while. Installation of the pedals and cleats is a cinch if you can turn a wrench. I ended up springing for more expensive shoes than I originally intended to buy, as the ones I saw online turned out to essentially be sneakers with a set of screws for cleats. Paying just a few more dollars for the shoes seemed to get me into the nicer stuff, so I didn't mind.

Seems like clipping in and out takes a little bit of getting used to, but for the most part is quite easy. I rode the bike around the block a couple times to practice before going on a longer ride, and didn't have much of a problem. While on the ride, I had one close call while stopping (took out the left foot and the bike tipped right) but managed not to fall. Clipping in after waiting at an intersection isn't bad, as I'm beginning to realize that as long as one foot is clipped in I can start moving through the intersection and clip the other foot in while I'm going.

I didn't go on one of my 'standard' routes, so I can't say for sure if they helped me go quicker.

I ride roads and most of that is on a carless place called the St. Tammany Trace. I use the Look Keo pedals and unclip my left foot and lean to the left when stopping. I leave the right clipped in. As you get used to them and begin unclipping when necessary by reflex, you will automatically begin adjusting your form and see the performance difference.

I once stopped and forgot to unclip. I was embarrassed but it was somewhat comical as the bike began to tip and I realized what had happened. I suddenly understood exactly how the coyote from the cartoons felt.

 

[Groat]

I ride roads and most of that is on a carless place called the St. Tammany Trace. I use the Look Keo pedals and unclip my left foot and lean to the left when stopping. I leave the right clipped in. As you get used to them and begin unclipping when necessary by reflex, you will automatically begin adjusting your form and see the performance difference.

I've learned already to pull my foot off the pedal well in advance of actually stopping. The first time I went out, I'd pull it out exactly when I needed it. That didn't go too well, as once I unclipped the left foot and began tipping right. If it wasn't for the fact that I was right next to a light pole at the time, I would have done the same slow-motion fall. I've now taken to unclipping and letting my leg hang there for a bit while stopping around intersections and the like. This seems to work pretty well.

I did go for a ride yesterday that was one of my 'standard' routes that I've got a reliable time on. The trail was super crowded because it was the weekend, but even so I beat my old best pretty handily. The pedals seem to be far more efficient in transferring energy to the bike.

 

[urkel]

sounds like you're getting into the routine. clipless is the only way to go on road or mt bike. much more effecient use of the muscles and makes for a more enjoyable ride. i don't know anyone who hasn't bit it while trying to unclip at a stoplight. you ride you fall and it's no big deal. you'll get jabbed from your buddies but then it'll be your turn someday. enjoy the new bike toys

 

[bindibadgi]

You WILL fall. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when.

That's not true. I have ridden clipless for years now and have never fallen. The last time I fell (not counting being hit by cars - twice!) was with traps. In fact, as I posted earlier, clipless has actually prevented me from falling.

 

[Groat]

Went riding again today. Realized that the cleats were too far back on my shoes and adjusted them afterwards. We'll see how that works out later.

In other news, the rear brake rotor on my bike is bent. It rubs against the brake disc now when turning. I'm not sure how it happened, but it sucks. It seems to be getting progressively worse, but that could be my imagination. I ordered another rotor and hopefully this one lasts longer than the week and a half the first did. I think that I possibly hit it when loading or unloading it from my car rack, but I also went to a crazy technical singletrack place this weekend that I wasn't ready for in the slightest. I may have banged it up there.

 

[Bullwinkle]

back in the day.. (before being run over and spending 8 days in the truma unit) I rode many miles on a road bike. Time clipless pedals were the only way to roll. There's a fall ride in Ohio called the Fall Challenge about 110 miles of nasty hills on Sat and then back on Sunday. For those of you old enough to remember the TV show Laugh In.. I don't know how many time I saw someone get 1/2 up a hill and couldn't go any longer and couldn't get unclipped and just flopped over.

 

[urkel]

i guess i need to edit my comment about falling off bikes................some people are lucky to have never fallen off a bike while being distracted at a light. one of my dumbest moves was learning to ride a motorcycle and forgetting to put my foot down, which wouldn't have been so bad but i was next to a bus loaded with people

 

[evandood]

Make sure your wheels are true, that can affect the rotor.