Going clipless - recommendations

[antspants]

Just in the process of buying a road bike as I'm just not getting the time to get out anywhere decent on my mtb, and having ordered one I now need to get some shoes and pedals.

I keep reading about the benefits of SPD-sl pedals particularly over long distances, but balanced with stories of them being difficult to clip out of and people falling off when stopping.

Are there any sl pedal and shoe combos that are particularly easy to clip in and out of, or any that should be avoided by somebody who has never clipped in before.

Or is there little noticeable difference to a novice roadie between those and a set of SPD pedals and mtb type SPD shoes?

I've also bought a set of rollers for training but think I'll just get a cheap set of flats for those, as I've never been on rollers before either, and I think the combo of getting used to a new bike, clipped in on a set of rollers, has disaster/comedy written all over it

[Gizmoish]

There was a post on this just a couple of days ago...

[garrykiller]

ive just switched on road bike from mtb spds to spd-sl clipping out is not a problem, but clipping in is alot easier on the mtb spd. but its practise after a few goes i was clipping in and out comfortably. spd-sl are alot more "rigid" but are harder to walk on.

[nammynake]

Gizmoish said:

There was a post on this just a couple of days ago...

Indeed...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[megaphone]

Also my thread here where I asked the same questions.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I went for some Shimano 520 SPD in the end, not had a chance to get out on them yet though.

[anonymous-user]

Just slacken off the tension in the spring until you feel comfortable, all systems will allow this to some degree and regardless of whether you choose SPD-SL, Look, Speedplay, Time etc its the connection between the cleat and the pedal thats the issue not the shoe. As you are more confident, start increasing the tension.

[antspants]

Thanks for the links, looks like SPD shoes and pedals will be fine for the distances I'll be doing, and to get me used to clipping in and out of.

Didn't realise you could get road shoes compatible with both types of cleats, so I'll have a look for some of those.

[budgie smuggler]

pablo said:

Just slacken off the tension in the spring until you feel comfortable, all systems will allow this to some degree and regardless of whether you choose SPD-SL, Look, Speedplay, Time etc its the connection between the cleat and the pedal thats the issue not the shoe. As you are more confident, start increasing the tension.

What's the benefit of winding the tension back up? Just that it's less likely to accidentally unclip on bumpy ground etc or is there more to it?

[2volvos]

I've got a bike on order and being made up from a bike shop in Pershore, Worcestershire (I'll start a thread when it arrives - I'm very excited!!) It'll come with flat half clipped pedals as this will be my first modern road bike and I'll have enough new bits to get used to without an SPD system.

They have said that when I take it for its first service a few weeks after delivery, if I get some SPD shoes and pedals they'll put me on the rollers, set up the release tension on the cleats and not let me out of the shop until I'm happy, comfortable and safe with them.

Maybe you could find a LBS close to you that might offer the same service.

[Deanno1dad]

I use the Shimano A530 pedals..1 side is clipped and the other flat if you just want to pop out or if you have a journey of multiple stop/start traffic lights..no regrets great pedal and used with recessed MTB shoes so you can walk off the bike,

Also change the cleats to the sh56 version multi release and easier for beginners.

[anonymous-user]

2volvos said:

I've got a bike on order and being made up from a bike shop in Pershore, Worcestershire (I'll start a thread when it arrives - I'm very excited!!) It'll come with flat half clipped pedals as this will be my first modern road bike and I'll have enough new bits to get used to without an SPD system.

They have said that when I take it for its first service a few weeks after delivery, if I get some SPD shoes and pedals they'll put me on the rollers, set up the release tension on the cleats and not let me out of the shop until I'm happy, comfortable and safe with them.

Maybe you could find a LBS close to you that might offer the same service.

How comfortable on rollers are you? release tension is somewhat irrelevant because there is nothing to push away from as it were, on the road you can position your body such that its easy to unclip from clipless pedals, unless you are competent at riding on rollers, if you try to twist your ankle you will just lose contact with the rollers and fall off because as soon as your cadence drops to zero, the rollers stop. I've been using rollers for about six months now and I still cant clip/unclip whilst on them. Its much, much easier to get used to clipless pedals in a wide open space like a car park and not on rollers.

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 12th February 14:53

[kiethton]

I use the older version of these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/look-keo-easy-pedals/

They were the 'look keo' from memory and cost about £25 on offer IIRC.

I use them to commute - Orpington - City and don't have much of an issue (although getting back in can be awquard for a dyspracic!). I have my left pedal set to twist with less force than my right - the one I put down to stop/un-clip quickly to make life easier

[Fairbridge]

nammynake said:

Indeed...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Yep. I went for R540 SPD-SL'S in the end. I haven't had the opportunity to get out on the road yet. They seem very comfy / easy to get out of on the trainer so far.

[nick997]

How about some R540 light action SPD-SL's, very easy to click out of. Good starting point, just as easy as my SPD's

[2volvos]

pablo said:

How comfortable on rollers are you? release tension is somewhat irrelevant because there is nothing to push away from as it were, on the road you can position your body such that its easy to unclip from clipless pedals, unless you are competent at riding on rollers, if you try to twist your ankle you will just lose contact with the rollers and fall off because as soon as your cadence drops to zero, the rollers stop. I've been using rollers for about six months now and I still cant clip/unclip whilst on them. Its much, much easier to get used to clipless pedals in a wide open space like a car park and not on rollers.

Edited by pablo on Wednesday 12th February 14:53

Ah good point, thanks for the heads up - I probably used the wrong terminology, not rollers but a fixed back wheel turbo trainer...

[curtisl]

Something else to consider are overshoes!

I have been riding in Shimano shoes for about a week but had to get some overshoes as my feet were like blocks of ice when I was out. Last night was the first ride with Neoprene overshoes and no complaints whatsoever!!

[garrykiller]

curtisl said:

Something else to consider are overshoes!

I have been riding in Shimano shoes for about a week but had to get some overshoes as my feet were like blocks of ice when I was out. Last night was the first ride with Neoprene overshoes and no complaints whatsoever!!

either that or toe warmers, they work great.

[Fairbridge]

I'm getting some waterproof SPD-SL compatible boots. I've lost too many overshoes.

[antspants]

curtisl said:

Something else to consider are overshoes!

I have been riding in Shimano shoes for about a week but had to get some overshoes as my feet were like blocks of ice when I was out. Last night was the first ride with Neoprene overshoes and no complaints whatsoever!!

Good point, I hadn't even thought of that.

[antspants]

The R540 spd-sl shoes sound good, I'll try some of those and some Shimano SH-R088 shoes I think.

Edited by antspants on Saturday 15th February 07:47