New Road Shoes

[jennyrc]

I just tried out my new road bike shoes for the first time (I've been using MTB shoes). I'm using the same pedals I used before (SPD's), but I know have problems with not being able to pedal at all when not clipped in (because of the smooth sole instead of treaded).
Anyone else have this problem and a solution to it?
I'm thinking about getting a stomp pad (a pad that's a sticker on one side, typically used for sticking on your snowboard), and then cutting the pad up to fit the bottom middle part of my shoe where the pedal hits when I'm not clipped in.
It's not that I ride not clipped in most of the time - however, when I approach stop signs and such I like to clip out a little before I get there, but this now seems dangerous with my new shoes.
Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated!

[nscrbug]

You could try placing just your heel on the pedal if you want to pedal without being clipped in...that is what I tend to do when I fumble getting into my pedals at intersections.

[mardeebo]

I'm using the same pedals I used before (SPD's), but I know have problems with not being able to pedal at all when not clipped in (because of the smooth sole instead of treaded).
Anyone else have this problem and a solution to it?


I had this same problem when I switched from a MTB shoe w/SPD pedals over to a road shoe with Look Keo Easy pedals. It scared me so much I went a year before trying again (I fell several times trying out the new pedals). I couldn't pedal w/o being clipped in due to the smooth surface. I tried to clip in, slip off the pedal, lose my momentum, and over I'd go.

A year later, I switched over to Shimano Ultegra pedals and the cleat seems to "catch" the pedal easier, enabling me to pedal w/o being clipped in.

But the real "ah-ha" moment for me was learning to not unclip both feet at stop signs. Before approaching the stop, I make sure I'm in a low enough gear. Then, when I take off again, I just pedal w/the side that's still clipped in. If I miss connecting the clip or I don't want to clip in the other foot just yet, I can still pedal forward. I practiced this with my old shoes/pedals until it became a habit.

Now I feel much more comfortable with the new slippery bottom surface of the road shoes.

Still, I think it would be hard to pedal a road shoe on a spd pedal. The cleats for my pedals are a large triangle shape.

Good luck..

[jennyrc]

Thanks for that info. I actually have a brand new set of Ultegra's I ordered when I bought the first pair of road shoes. I bought them because I thought I had to use different pedals for road bike shoes. When that first pair didn't fit properly, I came across Pearl Izumi's which fit both types of pedals, so I planned on just using my existing pedals and selling the Ultegras.

Luckily I've been a slacker and haven't actively tried to sell the Ultegras, so I think I'll give them a shot. I had wondered if they would work a little better with the wider base, but it's great to hear your experiences on them.

I think I'll put my spd's on my mtb to use with my mountain bike shoes, then nothing will be wasted. When I first bought clipless I could not understand why anyone would ever want to be clipped in on a mountain bike - but after getting use to them I can see how they would be helpful.

Thanks for your input, this is so helpful!

[mardeebo]

I love my new pedals! The cleats are easier to walk on than the Looks and the pedals align correctly. They were stiff to unclip at first but are perfect now. I can pedal unclipped out of both sides if I have to now that I'm used to them, but feel safer clipped in on one side - just in case I slip off.

Keep the ultegras...you'll love them.

[jennyrc]

For once being a slacker has paid off :)
Thanks again!