Clipless Pedals and Shoes

[VeganBikeChick]

I'm sure there's tons of posts on this subject but I didn't see any relatively new posts in my searches.

I'm looking to start riding clipless and would like recommendations. I am a complete klutz and ride in traffic, so would need something I could clip out of very quickly and very easily. I'd also like shoes that I can wear while riding and at work...was thinking of these: http://www.pearlizumi.com/publish/content/pi_2010/us/en/index/products/women/ride/footwear/x-alp_footwear.-productCode-5766.html

Can't do the Keen sandals because I need something that completely encloses my foot at work with no openings.

Thanks in advance!

[jessmarimba]

Keen also makes the Presidio in a bike shoe, I believe. More of an oxford, full-foot covered.

I have a pair of Shimano shoes that look like sneakers that I'll wear to work sometimes, but in the end I usually just keep shoes at work and change when I'm there.

[Savra]

Yeah - no matter what shoe you get, once you put the cleats on they won' t be that comfortable to wear all day for work. At least, that has been my experience. Some people have peddles that grip your shoes instead of cleating in. That might work better for you.

[Orange utopia]

Those shoes are cute! I have speed play frog pedals on both my bikes and have used them for years. They are the only system I was ever able to feel completely comfortable with and back when I used to ride all the time I tried them all, look, spd, time, even speed play zeros were not as easy to get in and out of and wear walking around as the frogs. My shoes are ancient Pearl Izumi mountain bike shoes, at least 10 years old, but they still do the job and really haven't been used much in the past 8 years.

[withm]

Another Speedplay Frog fan here, I have them on all 3 bikes. And I love the Keen bike sandals. They should not be a problem for you because you simply can not wear bike shoes all day at work. Don't even think about it! Just do what most of us do - keep a pair of work shoes at work, and change when you get there.

[Velocivixen]

Not sure about pedals, but I bought Specialized "Tahoe" shoes and wear them all the time - even when not cycling. I DO NOT have cleats on them because I'm still getting used to plain old riding my bike, however I give the shoes two thumbs up!

[TrekTheKaty]

I'm going to guess wearing bicycle shoes all day is bad for your feet. They are designed to be firmer and less flexible to transfer power to the pedal--not conducive to walking and standing. Plus, you'll "click" all the time. DH has some spinning shoes that are recessed and don't "click" but my Nashbar sandals definitely do.

I use SPD's--DH switched pedals this year and discovered they aren't compatible with our winter spinning bikes, so he had to buy a second pair of shoes. Just a thought.

[KnottedYet]

How about these? http://www.modernbike.com/itemgroup.asp?igpk=2126179083&TID=367 MKS Lambda pedals.

Compatible with all shoe types. You could ride to work in your work shoes, wear your work shoes at work, and ride home in your work shoes.

I have them on one of my bikes (the one I use for 50+ mile rides). On my commuter (generally less than 30 mile rides) I have these: http://www.crankbrothers.com/pedals_5050.php Crank Brothers 5050 pedals.

Depending which bike I bring on the next TE Seattle ride, I can show you either of the pedals. Assuming we have a ride, assuming you are there, assuming I'm there...

[grey]

I bought shoes many months ago, and the clipless pedals & all... I haven't gotten up the nerve to swap out the pedals yet! I went with SPD, hoping those work for me. Have seen lots of recommendations for frogs here & wonder if I shouldn't have gone that route to start...

I bought shoes with the cleats recessed, intended more for MTB use than road just so I could walk in them at ride stops and stuff. They're Pearl Izuimis, also - I'm very happy with them so far (tho they do catch on the toe cages - at this point which is more dangerous? The cages or the cleats? LOL). I agree with other riders tho - keep a pair of shoes at work to slip into - I would not want to wear my riding shoes all day.

[Velocivixen]

Here are the women's Specialized "Tahoe" shoes. I think they work with SPD clipless pedals. I do wear them all day. They are not road biking shoes.

[Velocivixen]

Okay, now let's go to plan "B".

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=57460

[VeganBikeChick]

I really like those shoes, VV. Are they compatible with the Speedplay Frogs?

[Velocivixen]

@Veganchick, the shoes and Frog Speedplay pedals both both are SPD clip system, with 2 cleats. There is a place on the bottom of the shoes that you remove and attach the cleats. A guy at my LBS said to let them install the cleats on the shoes because if they're not tight enough you can fall off your bike. I don't have cleats on mine yet, but wear them all day for just knocking around and they're comfortable.

Good luck neighbor.

[Orange utopia]

The only thing with some shoesand frog cleats is that the space for the plate might be a little narrow on some of the women's shoes because Frog cleats are wider then standard SPD cleats. So I have had to shave some of the tread down on my shoes to get the frog cleats to fit. It isn't a big deal unless you plan to return or re-sell your shoes. The amount you have to take off doesn't impact walking or using the cleats and pedals at all.

[Bethany1]

Just joined up and read the post. I have the Specialized Tahoe shoes shown in the picture. LOVE them. You wouldn't want to wear them to work though.

I have pedals that clip on one side and are flat on the other. Not sure what they are called, but they work for me.

Once you get used to riding with them, you probably won't go back to regular pedals.

[MollyJ]

I have been clipless for a short amount of time and these are my short term impressions.

I love my clipless shoes on the open road. I am not sure that I would love them for a commute. But I am pretty dedicated to my Madone bike now and IF I decided to ride it to work--which for me would be eminently feasible--I am only one mile from work, I would bring a change of shoes with me in a back pack on my back OR as others have suggested I would leave a pair there.

I have been on web sites that promote biking to work and they remind you of things like you don't have to do it every day. There will be days when you will find it easier or just more logical to drive. But every day you bike to work is a victory. Depending on weather, you may need a hygiene plan. I would go to some of those web sites.

Going clipless is like a dive into cold water. It's not something that comes naturally and has to be practiced. Once acquired, I would guess you don't like going back. I'm not there yet but pretty close. When I was first clipless, I rode low traffic roads in town and headed for open roads where you experience the benefits without the pains _as much_. I have fallen on my bike about three times. It sucks. It's the free fall of the felled tree. Very helpless feeling. Always occurs in town. Period. No exceptions. Occurs when I either failed to pull out in time OR something happened that distracted me from my need to unclip. With time, I am more anticipatory and have not fallen recently. (Knock on wood.) All of my falls have been at low speed which I would guess is the rule rather than the exception. When you have momentum, you have more time to plan and react. Like yesterday, I came to an intersection and there was a car that I wasn't sure had seen me. If I had tried to stop, I would have been more likely to get in a no win situation. As it is, I just turned down a road I didn't want to go on and prepared to unclip but it didn't turn out I needed to.

So my advice is take the dive during a time when you have some time to do non commute driving and do practice rides. Also go to the commute web sites and problem solve your commute to work issues there. Give yourself extra time to plan your unclip. It is easiest for me to unclip at the top of my cycle (when my knee is flexed rather than extended). Practice unclipping both sides but you will have a preferential side.

FWIW.

[indysteel]

I have been clipless for a short amount of time and these are my short term impressions.

I love my clipless shoes on the open road. I am not sure that I would love them for a commute. But I am pretty dedicated to my Madone bike now and IF I decided to ride it to work--which for me would be eminently feasible--I am only one mile from work, I would bring a change of shoes with me in a back pack on my back OR as others have suggested I would leave a pair there.

Heck, if I were a mile from work (and I have lived in that type of proximity of my job in the past), I'd almost be more inclined to walk rather than ride.

[MollyJ]

I generally hate walking but I do it best with a destination. I hear ya though. I LOVE cycling and prefer it to a walk any time. Just a preference.