To cleat or not to cleat?

[BonnieS]

Hi everyone:

I bought a Specialized Dolce Elite road bike and I am learning to ride it - I have never ridden a bike as an adult - never! I have a coach who is teaching me the basics - I'm talking getting on/getting off (REALLY BASIC).

Question for you: I do have cleats and & 1-sided clipless pedals. I ride in cleats all the time when I go spinning, but on the bike, whoa! A different thing altogether.

When you started riding, if you can remember that far back for some of you who are long-time cyclists, did you start with cleats or did you start with running shoes and eventually make your way to cleats?

On the one hand, running shoes are so much less scary when you're wobbly. On the other hand, I want to be a bona fide road cyclist. I wanna be an expert cyclist!!!

Your suggestions will be most welcome! Thank you all!

[indysteel]

Given where you say you are in terms of riding a bike as an adult, I'd suggest just sticking to regular shoes for the time being...or forever. While many of us use and like clipless pedals, they're not necessary. You absolutely do not have to use them to be a bona fide cyclist.

For what it's worth, when I first started riding a bike again as an adult in 2006, I started with pedals that had a clip on one side but were flat on the other. They were okay, but more of hindrance in some ways than a help. From there, I used regular clipless pedals; Look Keos to be exact. I like them, but by the time I started using them, I already felt pretty comfortable with road riding. I also started mountain biking for the first time--as an adult and as a child--in 2011. I do not use clipless pedals on my mountain bike and really have no interest in trying. I consider myself as bona fide an mtber as anyone else.

Do what makes you feel safe and smile when you ride. And remember: It's the bike, not the gear or apparel, that makes you a cyclist.

[thekarens]

Indy said it perfectly. Personally I started riding at the age of 42 and used running shoes. I didn't start with the clipless until I had the bike 6 months and was very comfortable on it. The only reason I went clipless was because I wanted to increase my speed and work my hamstrings more. Like Indy, I also use flats on my mtb.

[Owlie]

It took me a year to go from tennis shoes to clipless. And if you don't want to use them, don't.

[indysteel]

Shoes with really good pedals. You might consider getting some hard soled shoes like the kind some mountain bikers who don't clip in use. (Indy?)

I wouldn't consider cleats on a bike I don't feel confident of controlling.

I use BMX pedals (BMX pedals have sharp pins that stick out of them) paired with Five Ten mtb shoes that have a sticky sole. I think that set up is overkill on a road bike and I wouldn't go so far as to call Five Ten's "stiff."

I think Catrin used to use BMX pedals with light hiking shoes on her roadie before she switched to clipless pedals. But even that could be overkill for a beginner. I've never hit my shin on my pedals (knock on wood), but it's easy enough to do, especially if you're a beginner. If I were in the OP's shoes (pun intended), I'd just stik to regular campus pedals for the time being and a comfortable, breathable shoe. Stiffer soles are better for longer rides, but I'm guessing the OP isn't there yet. When and if she gets there and if she's still using a flat pedal, then perhaps she can revisit the issue of footwear.

[Artista]

I, too, am a bona fide cyclist who doesn't do clipless at all anymore. I have these (http://www.crankbrothers.com/pedals_5050_2.php) on my roadie. They help keep my feet from moving around on the pedals but they're super easy to get a foot down. The pin height is adjustable. My pins are set much lower than what we would typically find on a mountain bike pedal. I also use Five Ten shoes for good contact with the pedals. I agree with Indy that the Five Tens aren't particularly stiff. I also agree that you don't have to use ANY special pedal to be bona fide cyclist:)

[Catrin]

I only used BMX pedals because I couldn't keep my feet on more traditional platform pedals. I might actually return to them this summer if I start commuting more regularly than last year, but that is beside the point.

Bonnie - riding is the only thing that makes you a "real"cyclist - what pedals you choose to ride has nothing to do with it :) Sadly there are those who insist this is the case but it isn't. Ride, do what makes you feel safe, and just keep riding. If you decide at a later time to take on clipless pedals then great, but it isn't something that MUST happen. Your body has enough to learn right now, get the basics of riding into your muscle memory before making that transition.

Also, regular athletic shoes will likely eventually cause problems because they aren't stiff enough and will collapse around your feet which creates pressure points. When I ride my BMX pedals I typically wear my Keen Commuter sandals - I do NOT like them for clipping in (too soft for that in my opinion) - but they are great for platform pedals. They are nice and stiff without being too stiff to walk in, and they have lots of ventilation :) Mine look like this (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/keen-commuter-ii-sport-sandals-clip-on-bike-for-women~p~5690p/?utm_source=GooglePLAs&utm_medium=PaidShopping&utm_term=Keen_Commuter_Ii_Sport_Sandals_-_Clip-On_Bike_For_Women&utm_campaign=PCGOOGLEP3&codes-processed=true), though not exactly, they are close. The brand/type doesn't matter, having a stiffer sole does so take that into consideration. It will matter as you start to ride longer distances, though right now regular athletic shoes are probably fine.

If you decide to stick with platform pedals for awhile, you might want to consider something like these Lambda Pedals (http://www.outsideoutfitters.com/p-19122-mks-lambda-pedals.aspx?variantID=48406&gclid=COrFhIXc17YCFa5DMgodMAUA5w) - they provide a nice base for your feet and from what I hear are grippier than some platform pedals. Unlike my BMX pedals they don't have spikes and you won't have to worry about scars from pedal-slap. I would have tried them in the beginning if I had known about them at the time. Examine your options! Personally I never cared for the campus pedal solution - I was never able to keep my feet on the platform side.

Congratulations on starting the wonderful adventure of cycling and keep us posted!

[ny biker]

I started with sneakers and regular pedals with my first bike as an adult, which was a mountain bike (which I rode more on pavement than on dirt). When I got my road bike, I think I started with regular pedals but went clipless pretty quickly -- I got the bike in the fall of 2003 and I remember my first clipless ride was on a cool spring day, and I was wearing tights for my first clipless fall (unclipped left and then realized my instinct was to put my right foot down first).

I used the same mountain bike shoes for both bikes for the first year or so that I had the road bike -- I remember wearing them for the two centuries I did that fall. I also recall the guy at the LBS encouraging me to get real road shoes when I told him I had foot problems on that first century.

If you're planning to do long rides with the road bike, you'll probably be more comfortable with the stiffer soles that you get with cycling shoes. But I would not switch to clipless pedals unless and until you're very comfortable with the new bike.

Have fun!!

[marmac]

i am a still somewhat new senior rider. i found it better for me to get used to the bike first. (bought my dolce last august) i am still not riding 100% clipless since i do some runs on MUT trails and i don't want to topple over dodging someone.
but when i am on the road, i am using the cleats. i started with mountain bike shoes but got hot spots after awhile so they are used on the MUT rides. the firmer shoes are more comfortable for the longer rides. what helped me was to practice same motion of unclipping and stepping off the bike even when riding the platform to develop the muscle memory.
the most important thing is what works for you and keeps you riding.

[Bethany1]

From someone who just crashed re-learning a road bike (not due to pedals just stupidity) take time to learn to ride first. I put plastic BMX pedals on my fat bike which I love as they are large and give tons of leverage for climbing. I'm looking for nicer flatform/bmx pedals for my new cross bike. I liked these xpedo ones (http://www.amazon.com/Xpedo-Face-Off-Pedal-XMX13/dp/B003RLJG7W/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=37LVLEQAKD4G4&coliid=I2U6OASHS7PPIQ) and put them on my wish list. Given you have a Dolce which is far sweet and feminine looking than my aggressive cross bike, these may look kind of "off".

I do have a pair of really nice shoes and clipless pedals that are awesome, but I'm still unstable enough that they are put away. I use a pair of skateboard shoes as they are stiff and flat when I go mountain biking.

Enjoy the learning process and have fun.

[luvmyguys]

When I got my roadie, I hadn't really been on a bike since my early 20's, and I was never what you call coordinated. I was somewhat in the same position that you're in now, and I jumped into clipless pedals way too soon. The result was about 6 falls in 30 minutes - not what I'd recommend. I got the pedals with a platform on one side and the clip-in on the other, so I could choose when I was ready. Three months later, I was better able to handle the clipless pedals, and I have been okay ever since.

I'm with the others - wait.

[gocard]

I have been road cycling around 5 months and only just made the switch to clipless shoes. While it was my first road bike, I felt that I adjusted to it pretty easily and I believe part of that reason is because I wore running shoes instead of going straight to clipless. I knew that I'd be able to put my feet on the ground in an instant if I needed to, and that left me free to concentrate on getting used to the bike first.

I have the Shimano A530 pedals because at the time, I wasn't comfortable with the idea of being clipped in and it was nice to use the platform side first and not have to get new pedals if I ever decided to switch.

I actually like the A530s a lot - I got fairly used to being able to switch to the platform side without having to look down (when I was wearing running shoes). For me, I think I was better off having waited until I truly felt comfortable enough on the bike before moving to clipless shoes. Just go at your own pace and wait until you feel like you want to make the switch, if at all.

[Jolt]

Another platform pedal user here...I just don't like the idea of being attached to the pedals in a way that will make it hard to do an emergency stop without it turning into a crash. Have thought about putting on a set of mini toe clips, just to prevent inadvertently coming off the pedals on trails or rough roads, but haven't done it yet. My other reason for not going clipless is the need for special shoes that aren't always so good for walking in, as opposed to being able to just go for a ride in regular sneakers/sandals. Why overcomplicate things?

[Over50Newbie]

Another senior biker who does not clip in and I definitely consider myself a "real bicyclist."

I do have straps on my pedals to help me "pull" on hills, but I keep them really loose so I will never have trouble getting my feet out in an emergency.

Here is a pic of what I have.

http://bicycling.about.com/od/allaboutyourbike/ss/bike_pedals_3.htm

Lynette

[Crankin]

I started riding on a mountain bike with slick tires. I very quickly went from sneakers to a pair of mountain bike shoes without the cleats installed. I quickly learned that I needed the stiff sole of a cycling shoe. After awhile, I had the cleats installed, to use in spin class. I am not sure how/why, but I continued to use these shoes with my flat pedals. I guess the recessed cleat didn't interfere. I am pretty sure I didn't have a second pair of shoes. After about a year and a half, I bought a road bike, with spd pedals. I was already used to clipping in and out from spin class, and although I was scared and went slowly (I spent 3 weeks riding on flat streets, with one foot clipped out), I never crashed.
I guess the message is I took this in stages and I was ready in each stage. Although I was not as much as of a beginner as the OP, I was 47 years old, and I am not particularly coordinated.
Some people like using Power Straps, which give you the same ability to "pull" as clipless pedals, but are attached to flat pedals. You use the same motion to get out of these straps as getting out of cleats, so it is a good intermediate step for a lot of people. They are more intuitive than the old fashioned cages.

[lph]

What they all said. While all elite riders use cleats, because they add a little more power to your pedal stroke, there are many many experienced, veteran, long-distance riders who don't, for various reasons. I commuted without cleats for many years. Everyone blathered on about how I should have them so I tried, and to tell you the truth I still don't think the added power is particularly noticeable. But I quickly got used to the ease of being attached and not being able to slide off, it's relaxing in a different way, believe it or not. So now I use them all the time, and feel very unsafe without, like I'm about to pop off my pedals any moment!

Once you want to try them you'll need a while to engrain the muscle memory, and once you do it's second nature. But there certainly are advantages to cycling without too, like wearing regular shoes.

[tealtreak]

Please never allow "the rules" (lol thinking velominati) about gear, expense of bike, clothes, speed or any other variable to keep you from loving to ride! (: Seeking advice/mentoring is wise and this forum is great for that......but it is easy to get sucked into thinking "I am not a "real" cyclist because.......

[Owlie]

I love my clipless pedals and stiff-soled cycling shoes, but I certainly would never recommend them to someone who is just (re)learning how to ride. I usually just tell people to leave the flat pedals on, or if it's a bike that doesn't come with pedals, to get a basic pair of platforms until you've got control of the bike down and can start and stop without issue. I'd also never put a pair of clipless pedals on a mountain or commuter bike, if I were doing a lot of riding in built-up areas. I'd stick a pair of BMX pedals on there and call it good...and learn to watch out for my shins!

[roo4]

I noticed a bigger difference in switching from running shoes to cycling shoes (both with toe clips) than I did switching from cycling shoes with toe clips to clipless. Get yourself a pair of mountain bike shoes with stiff soles that still allow you to walk around. Enjoy!

[BonnieS]

Wow, lots of great advice here, thank you. Over the weekend I did clip in and it felt great to be attached to the bike, but I was riding in a parking lot! Which is a great place to learn the basics, so I'm not putting myself down.

From what I read into these responses, I recognize I don't have the confidence yet on the bike to wear cleats safely out on the roads (YET). I think I'm going to try mountain bike shoes with stiff soles, as roo4 suggested, and make the switch when I'm confident about taking the bike out for a ride. My goal is to ride with clips, but I'm going to take it at my own pace.

Thank you to everyone, I appreciate the input so much.

[MelC]

When I got my first fancy bike for my largely imaginary triathlon competitions I got clipless pedals on it for the first time. It never occurred to me not too. All the cool kids did it. It was scary. I road it on the grass at my local park. I fell over trying to climb an awkward hill through cowgates (slowing slowing slowing stop tip). No serious damage but I realized I didn't ride the fancy bike enough to get used to the clipless pedals, they freaked me out. Since the bike was too good to bum around town on and was reserved for "serious" (hah!) training. I went out and bought a cheap set and installed them on my commuter. I road with them every day to and from work. At first I would start unclipping a half a block to a block before I thought I might have to come to a stop. Gradually the distance got shorter and shorter. Eventually it became second nature. The moral of the story is you will get used to them and the more you use them the easier it will be.

[BonnieS]

That's good to know, MelC. I definitely want to be one of the cool kids! But unlike you I don't commute by bike and my one bike is also reserved for serious (double hah!) rides on long country roads, which I hope I'll find one day, and by that time, I'll be a good enough rider to be not freaked out at being clipped in. I'll save my cleats for spinning class and hope that by (September?) I'll be ready for them on my real bike!

[ny biker]

That's good to know, MelC. I definitely want to be one of the cool kids! But unlike you I don't commute by bike and my one bike is also reserved for serious (double hah!) rides on long country roads, which I hope I'll find one day, and by that time, I'll be a good enough rider to be not freaked out at being clipped in. I'll save my cleats for spinning class and hope that by (September?) I'll be ready for them on my real bike!

Since you use cleats for spinning class, pay attention to which foot you instinctively clip out first. And on your real bike, pay attention to which foot you instinctively put down first when you come to a stop. I would think it's the same foot in each situation. When you do try clipless on your real bike, you'll want to always unclip that foot first.

[JasonM]

At first I've been using flat pedals. But most of my friends are shifting into clipless pedals (https://adventuregearhub.com/entry-level-clipless-pedals/). They suggest that i should change too since its more efficient especially on long rides and uphills. they i get used to it a couple of tries then im confident enough for long rides with clipless pedals.

[Trek420]

Thanks for the bump.

All 10 (yikes. How did that happen?) of our bikes are platform pedals, various and sundry brands and kinds. I had to give up on clipless because of a foot injury. My road bike shoe days are over.

I don't miss it. All of our platform pedals are grippy, steady, can even stand on a hill or to accelerate. The only time I miss clipless a teeny tiny bit is on descents. With clipless there's little to no risk of loss of contact with the pedal when you hit a bump. I really felt connected with the bike. That can happen with platform but has not yet.

OTOH or foot, OTOF ;) with platforms I can just grab a bike and go. :) I never even have to change shoes though sometimes do for footwear that's a little stiffer and or more grippy.

[ny biker]

Hi Trek!

I put platform pedals on my mountain bike after I hurt my ankle so I could do short rides around my neighborhood without having to twist my foot to clip in and out. I found it very hard to get started, especially on a hill, after using clipless pedals for years. Did you have a similar problem when you switched back to platforms?

I don't ride the mountain bike much and since my ankle is better I'm back to riding my road bike which has clipless pedals. But I might be getting another bike and am considering putting platform pedals on that, for a few reasons.

The clipless pedals do help me when riding up steep hills, because that's when I am consciously pulling up through the pedal stroke. Other than that I really don't know how much difference they make. I'm an average-speed rider, not trying to race or anything.

I have had trouble finding road shoes that are comfortable, and in cold weather those cold metal cleats make my feet cold. Also I have to be careful when walking on unpaved surfaces in them to avoid getting dirt in the cleats. I've done a few century rides lately that required walking in grass, dirt and mud in my bike shoes, which was not fun.

[Crankin]

I absolutely hate riding on flat pedals! I can barely get started, let a lone on a hill! I wish I didn't get the dual sided pedals for the Ariel. It comes down to just not feeling safe on the flat pedals.

[north woods gal]

As most of you know, I converted over to quality flat pedals with pins for all my riding on all my bikes, some years back. Honestly, going back to clipless would be a huge step backward in performance for me. Going flat pedal has allowed me to do things when riding trails that would be impossible with clipless, not to mention my feet are far healthier, much warmer in the winter and injury free, thanks to flats. You could hold a gun to my head and I still wouldn't go back to locking my feet to the pedals. :)

[Trek420]

I absolutely hate riding on flat pedals! I can barely get started, let a lone on a hill! I wish I didn't get the dual sided pedals for the Ariel. It comes down to just not feeling safe on the flat pedals.

I had the dual sided pedals on my GT Outpost trail and never liked them. Always a struggle getting to the "right" side of the dual side. First 50 yards or so were flipping the pedal over over and over till I land on the flat side. Same thing if I happened to ride clipless, just getting it to the clip side on the other foot was a pain. Never again.

Just taking a look: I have Redline pedals on the Salsa and Motobecane. Lambda pedal on the Soma and Mondonico. https://www.treefortbikes.com/MKS-Lambda-Platform-Pedals

[Trek420]

Ooh, while I have the plain lo profile alloy platform, I just noticed the colors. Might have to change pedals on the bright green Salsa Vaya to this;

http://redlinebicycles.com/parts/monster-concave-platform-pedals/

[Crankin]

It's not the annoying pedal flipping that I dislike... it's the actual riding on flat pedals. Feet flying off occasionally does not help the general feeling of discombobulation I feel. Add to that the pain in my feet from continually scrunching them to help them stay on the pedals.

[north woods gal]

I can't see spending big bucks on special shoes for flat pedals. That's marketing B.S. Put the money into quality flats, not the shoes. If you get quality flat pedals with metal pins (not plastic) and follow up with proper technique, any kind of shoe will work, even for technical trail riding. Haven't had a shoe slip off a good quality pinned flat pedal - ever - and that's with all kinds of shoes, riding every day. I use everything from sandals in the summer to felt lined pac boots in sub-zero cold, depending on the time of year. I've also gone away from stiff soled shoes. Now prefer some flex in my shoes when pedaling. It is more comfortable for my feet and gives me even better grip. My favorite summer biking shoes, for instance, are cheap Wal-mart sneakers. :) The only thing I have to watch when using different shoes with different thickness soles is my seat height. I notice even that little bit of difference, sometimes. Having a QR seat clamp for quick seat height adjustment helps.

[ny biker]

Okay, fans of flat pedals, how do you get started on a hill?

With clipless, I have my left foot clipped in and my right foot on the ground. I move my left foot up to around the 2:00 position, then start to pedal with it. Then I sit down and clip in with my right foot. If for some reason I can't get the right foot clipped in on the first try, I can pedal around again with the left foot.

Also, when shopping for flat pedals, what should I look for?

Any thoughts on these?

bontrager-line-pro-pedals (https://www.thebikelane.com/product/bontrager-line-pro-pedals-258704-1.htm)

I will be buying them from my LBS when I get the new bike (any day now). I will not lie, I would be very happy to orange pedals on my blue bike with orange bottle cages. :D

Thanks!

[north woods gal]

N.Y., I do it exactly the same way, except I start with my right foot up, since my right leg has the most power. Your feet won't slip, not to worry, as long as you have a good set of pinned flats. Plus, you won't have to waste time or lose momentum trying to clip in. Just give it all the power you want and keep climbing.

Those Bonties will certainly work, but they're more of a downhill pedal, meaning they're heavy at 420 grams and much thicker than you need for road work and definitely too thick for trail work. On my road bikes and my trail bikes, much prefer something thinner for the sake of pedal clearance and, especially lighter. Expedo flats (https://xpedo.com/product/pedals/spry/) are much thinner and lighter at 270 grams and cheaper, too. Use them on several bikes. Great choice for either a road or trail flat.

[north woods gal]

Max durability and stability. Remember, these folks are the kamikaze riders of the bike world, often doing jumps off ledges on their way downhill, hitting speeds that are just plain spooky, riding over everything in their path. Their bikes also reflect this in being overbuilt with a geometry that puts them in the optimum position for riding downhill. Not for the timid (me :)) I get spooked just on my downhill runs on my trails when I goo too fast and my runs are baby stuff by comparison.

N.Y., what was I thinking on my pedal position? I start at about 11 o'clock with the right pedal up, then stand on it with my right foot, but immediately get down on the seat for proper traction. It's the same method I use to get started when their is any depth of snow on the ground, since the bike has no roll when it's sitting in anything more than a couple inches of snow.

[ny biker]

Thanks for the input, NWG. It is very helpful. I think my 2:00 and your 11:00 might be the same thing. Basically I try to start with the pedal as close to the highest point (12:00) as possible, after it has come up and past 12:00 and is on the way down again.

I poked around online, looked at the Spry pedals as well as some others, and ultimately decided to order some Race Face Chesters. They get good reviews and are relatively inexpensive, so if I try them and decide I prefer clipless after all I won't be out too much $$. And I was able to get them in orange. :D

I would like to try to put them on the bike myself, to save some labor costs at the bike shop. Looking at a few videos, it looks pretty easy, but one thing is not clear. Do I need to put some kind of grease on the threads before I install them, and if so do you know what kind of grease?

Thanks!

[north woods gal]

Okay, getting the pedals off on a new bike should be doable. Sometimes getting pedals off on an old bike that has had the same pedals on for years or pedals that were tightened down by a gorilla of a guy can be beyond my strength to loosen. That's when I take the bike to the bike shop. :)

Can get confusing as to which direction needed to get the pedals loose or to tighten. Simple way to know. Put the wrench on the pedal and turn the crank. Turning the crank, backwards will loosen the pedal. Turning the crank forward, as when pedaling, tightens the pedal.

Most pedals, today, use a #8 allen wrench on the inside of the pedal shaft, but some still use a 15mm metric open end wrench. Some are setup to use, either. Note that you won't get any bike tool that has a #8 allen wrench. Way too big, so you'll need to buy one. Same for the 15mm open end wrench.

When removing the old pedals, be sure to retrieve the washer that fits on the pedal shaft and that goes between the pedal and the crank arm. Sometimes its stuck on the pedal shaft and sometimes it's stuck on the crank arm. The washer prevents wear on the crank arm. Don't install a pedal without that washer. Also, be patient when threading on a new pedal. It's a fairly fine thread and can sometimes be a little finicky to get started. Whatever you do, don't force things and get it cross-threaded. Then you've ruined an expensive crank arm.

Absolutely, do grease the pedal shaft threads when installing a new pedal. You'll be glad you did if you ever want to remove the pedal, again. I just borrow some all-weather multi grease from my husband's shop. Don't think it has to be anything bike specific. Just a grease that won't dry out or dissolve with exposure to the elements.

Sounds complicated, but it really isn't. The biggest issue for me and the thing I can never predict is how hard it will be to loosen the old pedals.

[ny biker]

Thanks!

The new bike does not come with pedals, so that eliminates any difficulty in removing them.

I did buy a pedal wrench to take the old pedals off my mountain bike. That was almost 2 years ago, I think. I ended up having to have the LBS mechanic take them off for the reasons you cite. But I still have the pedal wrench. Not sure about that allen wrench -- I will have to see what I have in my tool box.

About that washer -- would it come with the bike? Or with the new pedals? Or would I have to buy some?

I don't have any grease at home. I guess I will see what they have at the bike shop.

[north woods gal]

The washers should come with the bike or crankset, but the bike shop will have all kinds of them, anyway, should you ever lose one, free for the asking. Never have had to buy any.