Cycle shoes, mtb using cleatless
Discussion
I've only been using my gravel bike for about 6 weeks and am up to about 8 hilly miles.
I bought some cycle shoes, turns out they use cleats, I'm not brave enough to try currently.
How can I use them on my current bike with no cleats? Is there anything I can screw in or attach to the bit that would have cleats in?
Or should I buy some clipless shoes until I'm ready to use them?
Ta Ray
I bought some cycle shoes, turns out they use cleats, I'm not brave enough to try currently.
How can I use them on my current bike with no cleats? Is there anything I can screw in or attach to the bit that would have cleats in?
Or should I buy some clipless shoes until I'm ready to use them?
Ta Ray
What sole do the shoes have? What pedals are you using?
Clip less refers to pedals that don't have the old fashioned toeclips and straps that go over your foot. It technically can mean flat pedals, but these are usually called 'flat'. Clip less general means pedals that you Clio into with cleats on the bottom of your shoe, SPD, Look etc. Odd naming convention I know. You can use cycling shoes sans cleats, you can get really good grippy flat pedals these days.

A flat pedal, best with flat shoes

An SPD 'clipless' pedal, requires cleats.

An old fashioned toeclips and strap on a pedal. 'Clipless' are so named to differentiate from these, which they pretty much replaced. Almost no-one uses these, except old roadies. They're scary. Trying to get them flipped the right way up, then get your toes in, while trying to accelerate away from a junction is a nightmare.
Clip less refers to pedals that don't have the old fashioned toeclips and straps that go over your foot. It technically can mean flat pedals, but these are usually called 'flat'. Clip less general means pedals that you Clio into with cleats on the bottom of your shoe, SPD, Look etc. Odd naming convention I know. You can use cycling shoes sans cleats, you can get really good grippy flat pedals these days.
A flat pedal, best with flat shoes
Edited by Super Sonic on Monday 6th October 23:08
An SPD 'clipless' pedal, requires cleats.
Edited by Super Sonic on Monday 6th October 23:15
An old fashioned toeclips and strap on a pedal. 'Clipless' are so named to differentiate from these, which they pretty much replaced. Almost no-one uses these, except old roadies. They're scary. Trying to get them flipped the right way up, then get your toes in, while trying to accelerate away from a junction is a nightmare.
Edited by Super Sonic on Monday 6th October 23:23
I'd advise a "skate" shoe with a flatter profile sole for flat pedals, plus if possible a fairly stiff structure, a generic trainer is a bit "squidgy" and lumpy underneath. A shoe specifically designed for flat cycle pedals is best.
If you just want to try it out, Sports Direct's in house "Pinnacle" brand ones are perfectly fine, and can often be found at bargain prices.
If you just want to try it out, Sports Direct's in house "Pinnacle" brand ones are perfectly fine, and can often be found at bargain prices.
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Shimano-PD-M324-SPD-Clipl...
If you want to try clips but not use them all the time on a ride due to changing surfaces conditions or traffic conditions have a look for half cage pedals - one side is spd and the other is (a very basic) flat pedal cage. I run a set of crankbrothers mallets and while they do have a support cage around the spd, the cage is only for resting the foot rather than controlled grip/pedal stroke
If you want to try clips but not use them all the time on a ride due to changing surfaces conditions or traffic conditions have a look for half cage pedals - one side is spd and the other is (a very basic) flat pedal cage. I run a set of crankbrothers mallets and while they do have a support cage around the spd, the cage is only for resting the foot rather than controlled grip/pedal stroke
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Fox-Clothing-Union-MTB-Cy...
These are the shoes I have for mountain biking, cleat seats into the sole so can easily walk in them if needed as well as rest on the pedal when needed to.
These are the shoes I have for mountain biking, cleat seats into the sole so can easily walk in them if needed as well as rest on the pedal when needed to.
If you have bought a mountain biking/gravel type "clipless" shoe which has a cleat on the bottom, you should be able to remove the cleat to use the shoe with a normal, flat style pedal. Mountain bike style cleats (called SPD cleats) are recessed into the sole, so once removed you have something like a stiff-soled walking shoe.
To remove the cleat you just need to undo the two allen-headed bolts on the cleat and then take out the insole from the shoe to remove the backing plate.
To remove the cleat you just need to undo the two allen-headed bolts on the cleat and then take out the insole from the shoe to remove the backing plate.
boyse7en said:
If you have bought a mountain biking/gravel type "clipless" shoe which has a cleat on the bottom, you should be able to remove the cleat to use the shoe with a normal, flat style pedal. Mountain bike style cleats (called SPD cleats) are recessed into the sole, so once removed you have something like a stiff-soled walking shoe.
To remove the cleat you just need to undo the two allen-headed bolts on the cleat and then take out the insole from the shoe to remove the backing plate.
Unfortunately a lot of spd shoes have a sole which doesnt lend itself well to flat pedals, unless specifically designed to suit both.To remove the cleat you just need to undo the two allen-headed bolts on the cleat and then take out the insole from the shoe to remove the backing plate.
InitialDave said:
Unfortunately a lot of spd shoes have a sole which doesnt lend itself well to flat pedals, unless specifically designed to suit both.
Indeed, for maximum grip you really need shoes designed for flat pedals. I've been using Five Ten shoes for over 20 years now and they're so grippy on studded flat pedals that you may as well be clipped in. You actually need to lift your foot to be able to shift position. I've also done a fair bit of hike a bike over the years and the Stealth Rubber soles on these still have surprisingly good grip on the ground, even on wet rock.I have these on my bike. I don't yet have SPD shoes, but I do plan on getting them in the future. This gives me the option when I want it. People will moan that the single sided nature of them, but you soon get used to it.
https://bike.shimano.com/en-UK/products/components...
P.S - Sorry to hear you got knocked down. Sun in someone's eyes should not be an excuse. They're clearly a terrible driver.
https://bike.shimano.com/en-UK/products/components...
P.S - Sorry to hear you got knocked down. Sun in someone's eyes should not be an excuse. They're clearly a terrible driver.
Another vote for the Adidas 5 ten mtb trainers. Incredibly sticky on flat pedals.
Being clipped in is great, but you have to consciously unclip a foot before coming to a stop. I treat it like a clutch pedal, and as I begin to stop I'll unclip my left foot just like I'd operate a clutch. It's a good habit to get you in the habit.
Being clipped in is great, but you have to consciously unclip a foot before coming to a stop. I treat it like a clutch pedal, and as I begin to stop I'll unclip my left foot just like I'd operate a clutch. It's a good habit to get you in the habit.
ssray said:
Thanks for the replies, ? have a look later.
Nice fellow in a car knocked me off from behind yesterday, was just pulling away from a junction and bang I was on the floor, the sun get into his eyes it seems
Sorry to hear of your accident, hopefully not much damage to you or the bike.Nice fellow in a car knocked me off from behind yesterday, was just pulling away from a junction and bang I was on the floor, the sun get into his eyes it seems
if it makes you feel any better I had a friend at school that had the same thing happen to him. Turned out to be his mother driving though
Note that if you get clip-in pedals (SPD) consider there are different cleats.
I have SH56 for the gravel bike - where you twist out your ankle to release - same process as SPD-SL (which I have on road bike)
On the MTB, I have SH51 where you just put outwards (no need to twist) to release, handy if quickly need to put foot down on ground etc..
One main benefit of clip in pedals is your foot won't accidentally slip off the pedal. Most the time this won't be a problem, however it's a nice safety net, especially when wet/muddly, on a twist, knarly bit of track etc...
I have SH56 for the gravel bike - where you twist out your ankle to release - same process as SPD-SL (which I have on road bike)
On the MTB, I have SH51 where you just put outwards (no need to twist) to release, handy if quickly need to put foot down on ground etc..
One main benefit of clip in pedals is your foot won't accidentally slip off the pedal. Most the time this won't be a problem, however it's a nice safety net, especially when wet/muddly, on a twist, knarly bit of track etc...
Dracoro said:
Note that if you get clip-in pedals (SPD) consider there are different cleats.
I have SH56 for the gravel bike - where you twist out your ankle to release - same process as SPD-SL (which I have on road bike)
On the MTB, I have SH51 where you just put outwards (no need to twist) to release, handy if quickly need to put foot down on ground etc..
One main benefit of clip in pedals is your foot won't accidentally slip off the pedal. Most the time this won't be a problem, however it's a nice safety net, especially when wet/muddly, on a twist, knarly bit of track etc...
Thanks, a toe strap seems so much easier now....I have SH56 for the gravel bike - where you twist out your ankle to release - same process as SPD-SL (which I have on road bike)
On the MTB, I have SH51 where you just put outwards (no need to twist) to release, handy if quickly need to put foot down on ground etc..
One main benefit of clip in pedals is your foot won't accidentally slip off the pedal. Most the time this won't be a problem, however it's a nice safety net, especially when wet/muddly, on a twist, knarly bit of track etc...
I'm SPD on the road bike, but have never quite been able to bring myself to go the same on the mtb... I just don't trust myself to be able to react quickly enough (today being a case in point where I ended up over the bars at Cannock Gravel X due to hitting a deep patch of gravel I hadn't seen because i was reading a sign that said "Caution, loose surface"... doh 
I use these with a pair of the five tens mentioned above - very sticky combo:

https://www.tweekscycles.com/hope-technology-f22-f...

I use these with a pair of the five tens mentioned above - very sticky combo:
https://www.tweekscycles.com/hope-technology-f22-f...
5s Alive said:
InitialDave said:
Unfortunately a lot of spd shoes have a sole which doesnt lend itself well to flat pedals, unless specifically designed to suit both.
Indeed, for maximum grip you really need shoes designed for flat pedals. I've been using Five Ten shoes for over 20 years now and they're so grippy on studded flat pedals that you may as well be clipped in. You actually need to lift your foot to be able to shift position. I've also done a fair bit of hike a bike over the years and the Stealth Rubber soles on these still have surprisingly good grip on the ground, even on wet rock.Then, I added spike pedals, like the ones further up this page and its like beig clipped in. I can lift the rear wheel using my feet ! Utterly transformative.
I'm told the pedals will cut to the bone if you get unlucky!
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