clip-less pedals

"George Hauxwell" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

I'm thinking about moving over to clipless pedals but have some
questions that maybe someone could kindly answer.

1. Will they make a difference to my average speed?. I currently
average around 16mph for a 20 miles ride (1hr 15mins), on a mountain
bike with sliks.

2. Do I need special cycling shoes to fit the shoe part of the pedal
or will they fit to any shoe/trainer. Bearing in mind I cycle to work
and don't want to clomp about the place with metal plates on the
bottom of my shoes.

3. How long do they take to get used too?

4. Can anybody recommend a particular make/model?

Many thanks

George

George I have recently converted to clipless pedals. Before I had been
using my cycling shoes on normal pedals.

You can get single sided pedals which have flat cage on one side, spd on
the other. However I thought that the flipping of the pedal to get the
spd side would end up a major pain so I went for double sided Shimano
M520s. I just keep a pair of steel toecap safety boots at work, then
change into them when I get to work. (I don't think you can get SPD
steel toecap safety boots!)

Since fitting them I have noticed I can get more power through the
pedals, and it is a bit easier to "spin".

I'm more than happy with my Shimano M520 double sided spds.

I can't say it took too long to get used to them, just make sure you
practice clipping in and out.

I would say that fitting the spds has been one of the best upgrades to my
mtb.

I hope this is of help, let us know how you get on.

--
Brian

George Hauxwell said:

I'm thinking about moving over to clipless pedals but have some questions
that maybe someone could kindly answer.

1. Will they make a difference to my average speed?. I currently average
around 16mph for a 20 miles ride (1hr 15mins), on a mountain bike with
sliks.

Perhaps.

Quoted message said:

2. Do I need special cycling shoes to fit the shoe part of the pedal or will
they fit to any shoe/trainer. Bearing in mind I cycle to work and don't want
to clomp about the place with metal plates on the bottom of my shoes.

Yes.

Quoted message said:

3. How long do they take to get used too?

Depends. A couple of trips should see you comfortable, but there's
always the chance you'll forget.

Quoted message said:

4. Can anybody recommend a particular make/model?

Try the double sided SPDs - about 20 quid from Cycle Express

Al.

Quoted message said:

I'm thinking about moving over to clipless pedals but have some
questions that maybe someone could kindly answer.

1. Will they make a difference to my average speed?. I currently
average around 16mph for a 20 miles ride (1hr 15mins), on a mountain
bike with sliks.

Ish. They make it cycling more efficient so for a given level of effort
I s'pose you'll go faster. Much better on hills too, and much, much
faster acceleration. The increase in speed won't be much but it will be
there.

Quoted message said:

2. Do I need special cycling shoes to fit the shoe part of the pedal
or will they fit to any shoe/trainer. Bearing in mind I cycle to work
and don't want to clomp about the place with metal plates on the
bottom of my shoes.

Yep. SPD shoes have a metal clip recessed into the sole. They aren't
particularly deep so make the odd scraping noise on the ground,
particularly as the shoe wears. Fine for walking in, but maybe not on
nice wooden floors.

Quoted message said:

3. How long do they take to get used too?

You get used to them immediately. A combination of having mine on the
loosest setting and mtb clipless pedals (3 ways to unclip your foot)
means I've never fallen off despite forgetting half a squillion times.

Quoted message said:

4. Can anybody recommend a particular make/model?

Shimano make SPD which let you walk normally.

If going down that route consider shoes that hides the laces away. I
bought [1] 'cos they were cheap, but an extra tenner on [2] would have
been better - laces kept tucked out of the way and a slightly stiffer
sole. DO buy from a local bike shop where you can try them on - sports
shoes have stupid fictional sizes (the 12s were perfect for my size 11
feet).

Pedal wise you can get pure SPD ones (lighter) or ones that can be used
with normal shoes as well. Prices start at about £20. Shimano M424s
might be worth a look.

George Hauxwell said:

I'm thinking about moving over to clipless pedals but have some questions
that maybe someone could kindly answer.

I've reverted back to flats lately. I'll probably return to SPDs this
summer but I can't say it's that stunning a difference.

The only upgrade I've noticed that results in more speed is to buy a
road bike.

Quoted message said:

1. Will they make a difference to my average speed?. I currently average
around 16mph for a 20 miles ride (1hr 15mins), on a mountain bike with
sliks.

The experts will tell you it will make a difference. To the average
cyclist additional speed is more likely to be obtained from riding more
often than from changing the pedals.

Quoted message said:

2. Do I need special cycling shoes to fit the shoe part of the pedal or will
they fit to any shoe/trainer. Bearing in mind I cycle to work and don't want
to clomp about the place with metal plates on the bottom of my shoes.

New cycling shoes needed so you'll need to leave a pair of normal shoes
at work.

Quoted message said:

3. How long do they take to get used too?

Most people only fall off once.

Quoted message said:

4. Can anybody recommend a particular make/model?

Shimano make a pair of dual use pedals; can't remember the number. I
used to use these and liked them; retained the versitility of the bike.

Quoted message said:

Many thanks

George

"George Hauxwell" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm thinking about moving over to clipless pedals but have some questions
that maybe someone could kindly answer.

1. Will they make a difference to my average speed?. I currently average
around 16mph for a 20 miles ride (1hr 15mins), on a mountain bike with
sliks.

2. Do I need special cycling shoes to fit the shoe part of the pedal or

will

Quoted message said:

they fit to any shoe/trainer. Bearing in mind I cycle to work and don't

want

Quoted message said:

to clomp about the place with metal plates on the bottom of my shoes.

3. How long do they take to get used too?

4. Can anybody recommend a particular make/model?

Many thanks

George

Perhaps I'm not as bright as others here because I fell off at least half a
dozen times before I got used to them (always when stopping so I wasn't
going fast and wasn't badly hurt). I prefer the kind where you can only clip
into one side of the pedal. It means that if I anticipate a problem like a
very steep hill, I can unclip one shoe in advance. With the double sided
clip-in pedals there is a tendency for them to clip in even when you don't
want them too. Despite these words of caution I'd never go back. With
clip-in pedals man and machine are one!

Mark

in message <[email hidden]>, George Hauxwell

(') said:

I'm thinking about moving over to clipless pedals but have some
questions that maybe someone could kindly answer.

1. Will they make a difference to my average speed?. I currently
average around 16mph for a 20 miles ride (1hr 15mins), on a mountain
bike with sliks.

Yes.

Quoted message said:

2. Do I need special cycling shoes to fit the shoe part of the pedal
or will they fit to any shoe/trainer. Bearing in mind I cycle to work
and don't want to clomp about the place with metal plates on the
bottom of my shoes.

You need special shoes. Do not buy the shoes off a website, go to a real
shop and get ones that are comfortable.

Quoted message said:

3. How long do they take to get used too?

You _will_ fall off once from forgetting to unclip. Everybody does. But
it very quickly becomes automatic.

Quoted message said:

4. Can anybody recommend a particular make/model?

For MTB type pedals with recessed cleats (i.e. if you actually want to
walk around in the same shoes) Time ATAK. If you can use different
shoes when you're off the bike, Look, probably KEO.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

IMHO, there aren't enough committed Christians, but that's care
in the community for you. -- Ben Evans

In news:[email hidden],

George Hauxwell said:

I'm thinking about moving over to clipless pedals but have some
questions that maybe someone could kindly answer.

1. Will they make a difference to my average speed?. I currently
average around 16mph for a 20 miles ride (1hr 15mins), on a mountain
bike with sliks.

2. Do I need special cycling shoes to fit the shoe part of the pedal
or will they fit to any shoe/trainer. Bearing in mind I cycle to work
and don't want to clomp about the place with metal plates on the
bottom of my shoes.

3. How long do they take to get used too?

4. Can anybody recommend a particular make/model?

Many thanks

George

Same as everyone else says.
I changed last summer when my new bike came with clipless. Did my one fall
off on the first ride, onto soft vegetation, just to get it over with, and
have been fine since. Average speed goes up because you go faster up hills.
Surely you don't wear your wet muddy steaming trainers for work? Keep a
smart pair in your locker.
I fitted Old Bike with clipless as well, a short while after getting use to
them. I bought the one-sided type from Aldi because they were cheap. They're
even cheaper now - under £10, if you can find a store that's still got some.
--

Martin Bulmer

"George Hauxwell" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm thinking about moving over to clipless pedals but have some questions
that maybe someone could kindly answer.

1. Will they make a difference to my average speed?. I currently average
around 16mph for a 20 miles ride (1hr 15mins), on a mountain bike with
sliks.

They might. Using clipless is more efficient, so I suppose you could go
faster for the same level of effort.

Quoted message said:

2. Do I need special cycling shoes to fit the shoe part of the pedal or
will they fit to any shoe/trainer. Bearing in mind I cycle to work and
don't want to clomp about the place with metal plates on the bottom of my
shoes.

Yes you need special shoes - they have the fixing points on the sole so you
can screw the cleat to the sole. It's this cleat that engaes the pedal.

Quoted message said:

3. How long do they take to get used too?

Varies from person to person. My teenage son took all of 30 seconds to get
used to them, I took longer - but I've never regretted the change to
clipless. I'd not willingly go back to standard pedals. Vernon still has
problems with clipless (spds) and tends to remain with standard pedals &
toeclips.

Quoted message said:

4. Can anybody recommend a particular make/model?

It can be a personal thing. I use Look. My son uses both Look & spds - not
at the same time, 'natch ;-)

Cheers, helen s

Quoted message said:

Many thanks

George

On 7/2/05 8:11 pm, in article
[email hidden], "Not Responding"

Quoted message said:

George Hauxwell said:

I'm thinking about moving over to clipless pedals but have some questions
that maybe someone could kindly answer.

I've reverted back to flats lately. I'll probably return to SPDs this
summer but I can't say it's that stunning a difference.

I have double sided pedals (flat/spd) on the commuter[1] and ride both with
and without clips several times a week[2]. The major difference is that you
don't have to worry about feet flying off the pedals when spinning, and you
can pull up as well as push down.

Quoted message said:

The only upgrade I've noticed that results in more speed is to buy a
road bike.

My mileage varies. Then again I have been riding clipless since the late
eighties (still have my original ultegra Look pedals).

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

1. Will they make a difference to my average speed?. I currently average
around 16mph for a 20 miles ride (1hr 15mins), on a mountain bike with
sliks.

The experts will tell you it will make a difference. To the average
cyclist additional speed is more likely to be obtained from riding more
often than from changing the pedals.

Depends if you spin or not, and under what conditions you ride. I find that
when it is raining my smart shoes slide around on the pedals, seriously
compromising my speed[3]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

2. Do I need special cycling shoes to fit the shoe part of the pedal or will
they fit to any shoe/trainer. Bearing in mind I cycle to work and don't want
to clomp about the place with metal plates on the bottom of my shoes.

New cycling shoes needed so you'll need to leave a pair of normal shoes
at work.

Always a good plan. Especially if it is raining. Nice to have clean dry
socks/shoes to put on when you get in. I would second those who recommend
going to a shop to try them on. I also happen to like really solid soles. If
they can be bent they are too soft. I was fortunate in finding a pair that
fitted me absolutely perfectly, like no other shoe I had ever worn. They are
still going strong many tens of thousands of miles later, through show and
ice, sun and showers, and even walking through sea water. I'll definitely
get another pair if they haven't changed the last.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

3. How long do they take to get used too?

A few rides. You get paranoid about clipping/unclipping at first, then it is
second nature. Once you are happy you can unclip on a whim.[4]

Quoted message said:

Most people only fall off once.

Apart from the other times. I have been riding clipless for fifteen years. I
average much less than one fall a year due to an inability to unclip. Not a
problem at all in normal road riding.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

4. Can anybody recommend a particular make/model?

Shimano make a pair of dual use pedals; can't remember the number. I
used to use these and liked them; retained the versitility of the bike.

I use them daily and have done for the last few years. Good kit. If you want
to set up a general purpose bike you can ride wearing whatever, these are
the way to go.

...d

[1] Mountain bike with slicks, rack, mudguards, big lights and trailer
hitch. Really my general purpose utility bike but also used for winter
training.

[2] Commute on the flats almost every day. Ride 2/3 times a week with clips
in the evenings/weekends.

[3] speed is the wrong word. Maybe I should say makes me even slower.

[4] Steep hill, starting off up hill, inner chainring bends dropping the
chain before the bike starts moving. Still get my foot out in time to avoid
a sprawl.

I can't really add much that is useful to what others have said, but
here are a couple of product recommendations based on own recent
experience (I use these with the commuting bike):

Shimano M324 combination pedals (about £35) - flat on one side (so can
be used with ordinary non-cycling shoes) and SPD fitting on the other
side.

Shimano M072 shoes (about £50) - these take SPD cleats, which are
recessed into the sole, making the shoes perfectly comfortable to walk
in. I also like the fact that they have velcro straps rather than
laces, but that's mostly because I am lazy. I keep another pair of
non-cycling shoes under my desk to change into when I get to work.

d.

Find a pair of SPD shoes that fits your feet first, before you commit
to the SPD pedals. Shimano shoes are great for lots of people but
screaming agony for others - me included. I'd expect the same goes for
other makes.

As for disengaging automatically - meh. Some people do, others don't.
I've been using SPD clipless for some years now and at first I thought
I'd adapted well. But now? Every now and again I find that I just can't
disengage a foot when I need/want to, and that is with keeping the
action light and every thing maintained, and frequent on-grass
practice. I'm not prepared to crash in heavy traffic or on solo rides,
so currently I ride one foot clipped in and one not. When these shoes
and/or pedals wear badly, I'll be going back to toeclips with which I
never had a problem disengaging.

The plus side of that not having to lug a second set of shoes on tours.
Hmm. Might just dump the SPDs for the summer touring anyway.

Lin

"Lin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

The plus side of that not having to lug a second set of shoes on tours.
Hmm. Might just dump the SPDs for the summer touring anyway.

Not had a problem using spd shoes for normal use - I even wear them in the
office the rare occasions I'm there these days..

cheers,
clive

Lucky old you, and yes I have occasionally worn them them round the
office too without feeling like I've paid a visit to the footbinder's.

OTOH I've found that SPD shoes and cleats do not mix well with
sightseeing on foot or walking to/from/in restaurants where the
following floor surfaces are involved: metal ferry decks, flat cobbles,
round cobbles (esp. on slopes), pottery tiles, certain stone tiles,
marble, and wood. Puts a dampener on chateaux and hill-towns and
visiting the cafes/bars/restaurants and sights thereof.

Lin

"Lin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Lucky old you, and yes I have occasionally worn them them round the
office too without feeling like I've paid a visit to the footbinder's.

(hmm, any quoting there to help?)

Quoted message said:

OTOH I've found that SPD shoes and cleats do not mix well with
sightseeing on foot or walking to/from/in restaurants where the
following floor surfaces are involved: metal ferry decks, flat cobbles,
round cobbles (esp. on slopes), pottery tiles, certain stone tiles,
marble, and wood. Puts a dampener on chateaux and hill-towns and
visiting the cafes/bars/restaurants and sights thereof.

Oh well, not had a problem with that sort of thing. Bit of click-clack,
occasional slip, but nothing to really throw me. Maybe I've just got a bit
more rubber than you. What was a PITA was climbing things (a bit of
impromptu going round cliffs just above the sea) - the proper walking boots
I was wearing the next day were a lot more sensible.

cheers,
clive

Lin said:

OTOH I've found that SPD shoes and cleats do not mix well with
sightseeing on foot or walking to/from/in restaurants where the
following floor surfaces are involved: metal ferry decks, flat cobbles,
round cobbles (esp. on slopes), pottery tiles, certain stone tiles,
marble, and wood. Puts a dampener on chateaux and hill-towns and
visiting the cafes/bars/restaurants and sights thereof.

Well, one of the reasons I am so impressed with the M072 shoes is
precisely that I have not had any such problem. YMMV, but I speak purely
from personal experience of this particuar shoe and no other.

d.

davek said:

Lin said:

OTOH I've found that SPD shoes and cleats do not mix well with
sightseeing on foot or walking to/from/in restaurants where the
following floor surfaces are involved: metal ferry decks, flat cobbles,
round cobbles (esp. on slopes), pottery tiles, certain stone tiles,
marble, and wood. Puts a dampener on chateaux and hill-towns and
visiting the cafes/bars/restaurants and sights thereof.

Well, one of the reasons I am so impressed with the M072 shoes is
precisely that I have not had any such problem. YMMV, but I speak purely
from personal experience of this particuar shoe and no other.

And the only reason I use SPD instead of Look is because I could get shoes
that I could walk in.
(Diadora chili for those who are interested.. 1997 model)

...d

Well, one of the reasons I am so impressed with the M072 shoes is
precisely that I have not had any such problem. YMMV, but I speak
purely
from personal experience of this particuar shoe and no other.

Clive, MMDV as the MO72 shoes are among those I find cripplingly
painful even when not riding or walking in them. Just sitting there
with them on hurts.

Like David (probably below!), I've found Diadoras ok on-bike but with
very narrow limits of tolerance for off-bike surfaces. IIRC there was a
fair amount of rubber on them too, but the SPD cleat was the real
problem when it came to using them for what the things I wanted to see
and do off the bike. Of course if your interests off the bike differ,
then the problem won't necessarily arise.

Lin

"Lin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Well, one of the reasons I am so impressed with the M072 shoes is
precisely that I have not had any such problem. YMMV, but I speak
purely
from personal experience of this particuar shoe and no other.

(quoting fixed a bit)

Quoted message said:

Clive, MMDV as the MO72 shoes are among those I find cripplingly
painful even when not riding or walking in them. Just sitting there
with them on hurts.

Err - I have no experience of the M072 shoes whatsoever. Are you talking to
somebody else?

Anyway sounds like they don't fit. Feet are different shapes, so you
probably need to find a different shape shoe. (I'm lucky in that my feet are
shimano-shaped).

Quoted message said:

Like David (probably below!), I've found Diadoras ok on-bike but with
very narrow limits of tolerance for off-bike surfaces. IIRC there was a
fair amount of rubber on them too, but the SPD cleat was the real
problem when it came to using them for what the things I wanted to see
and do off the bike. Of course if your interests off the bike differ,
then the problem won't necessarily arise.

I do sometimes take them off for wandering round old country houses (old
wooden floors/carpets).

cheers,
clive

Clive George said:

Anyway sounds like they don't fit. Feet are different shapes, so you
probably need to find a different shape shoe. (I'm lucky in that my feet are
shimano-shaped).

Quoted message said:

Like David (probably below!), I've found Diadoras ok on-bike but with
very narrow limits of tolerance for off-bike surfaces. IIRC there was a
fair amount of rubber on them too, but the SPD cleat was the real
problem when it came to using them for what the things I wanted to see
and do off the bike. Of course if your interests off the bike differ,
then the problem won't necessarily arise.

I do sometimes take them off for wandering round old country houses (old
wooden floors/carpets).

I don't find the cleat a problem at all except on some uneven flooring. I
did however refrain from fitting the studs[1] to the shoes. The cleat is
well encapsulated and my feet fit the shoes perfectly.

Of course, I am using an old model.. the newer variants may be different.

...d

[1] The shoes have football studs[2] that can be attached just in front of
the cleats. These are supposed to help in racing when you have to run with
the bike, as the toes can grip into the mud.

[2]Diadora are better known for manufacturing football boots.