clipless or not clipless?

Hmm.. this has been bashed to death many times on this board, but I'm debating if I want to go clipless or not. :( Probably because a couple of ppl I train with for ALC keep telling me I should and that it'd be a lot easier going up hills. I currently have toe clips on a Sirrus hybrid which is still much better then when I started out with just platform pedals. I'm just scared of falling or not being able to clip in with clipless pedals since sometimes I have issues kicking over the pedal just for the toe clips. Also, worried about aggrevating a preexisting knee condition that acts up by aching from time to time. Tho that is probably partly from having my bike seat too low. :P

Anyhows... what do you guys think? And do you have any recommendations for mt bike pedals? Thanks. :)

I've never used anything BUT clipless since I've been road biking. Cages scared the bejeezus out of me (to me it's like being trapped, and required too much monkeying with to get "just right") and I knew that platform pedals would keep me from being efficient (and therefore I would end up working harder).

I never had a problem. Sure, I fell a couple of times, but I never let the pedals get the best of me. I went in to it with a positive attitude. I know a lot of folks have issues with them, and I think that, in many cases, fear of the unknown overrides everything else. You are in control of the pedal, not the other way around.

It will make riding easier, for sure. I also think it's safer once you learn how to use them (which really doesn't take all that long if you give yourself time and a good/safe place to practice).

The Shimano SPD double sided mt bike pedals (many different models) are pretty easy to use. I use Speedplay as I have a bad/wacky knee and that pedal system is the only one that doesn't lead to knee pain. If you can, talk to a sports medicine doc about your knee pain and which pedal system might work for you (a good sports medicine doc will know this info...either that or I got spoiled by having one of the finest in the nation :p ) There are lots of systems out there, and different people like different things, so the choice may not be all that easy to make!

well, I am a clipless convert. I was scared of them and the thought of being attached to the bicycle made me quake. But, when I got my Fuji and it was time to get the petals I decided to go for it. I practiced a bunch on a trainer at the shop which helped me gain some confidence. I almost fell once when I was on the road, but didn't fall completely down. Now, I feel comfortable in the clipless. I don't have to keep trying to get my foot into the toe clips which I was never much good at. There's my two cents. Good luck on your decision.

After thinking I really wanted Speedplay Frogs, I'm now looking at Shimano Freerides. And this is after SWEARING that I'd stick with toe cages...

Dang, I'm a fickle woman!;)

I went on my maiden journey today with clipless......can't believe I waited so long.:cool: I was using toe clips for almost a year, so remembering to unclip wasn't a problem. Clipping in was so easy.....told my DH that it felt like I had a big magnet pulling my foot right where it needed to go!:D

Diane F.

I like the dual-sided Shimanos, which are great to use if you travel in a high-traffic area when riding clipped in can be hazardous. Riding clipped in is so much more efficient, especially on hills. :)

I just got my first road bike last month, and ended up going with the "stuck to your bike" pedals. They are awesome for powering your way across terrain, especially up hills. You can literally pull the pedal up with you AND push it down, which means you're using so much more of your energy, rather than wasting it.

However, for stopping at stoplights/crosswalks, they are more challenging ;) If you have to do this a lot, it might impede your fun factor. They really aren't difficult to get out of, but getting into them quickly takes a little time. I'm having trouble with the "when I push off, am I going to be in or not?" factor before I push down and click myself totally in, and I think I just need more time with them to know I'm lined up.

There are two big roadblocks I've had. First, get over the fear, you WILL fall. One foot in, one foot out, bike comes to a stop, loose foot not on ground... uhoh, I'm falling. It's comical when it happens, learn to laugh at it (and learn to nurse scraped elbows, just like when you were a kid!). Secondly, stop on your heels, not your toes. It sounds so simple, but it really isn't your instinct to stop on your heels. If you do stop on your toes, see roadblock #1 ;)

My husband has the toe clips on his bike instead of the clippy grippy pedals, and it seems easier but not as efficient. I make him go ahead and press the crosswalk buttons or scout out the intersection crossings. My dad ended up with mountain bike style pedals and shoes for his road bike, which were just a little more convenient but still offered almost all of the security and functionality.

A friend just went clipless last year - she put one clipless pedal on first, got used to it, then added the other. Just an idea, seemed to work for her.
I've been clipless for years (currently eggbeaters, really like them). I'd recomend MTB. Love them, I feel like I have more control over the bike via my feet - not sure if that's real or fiction, but that's how I feel. Much better stroke.

Okay, for the dual sided pedals, how do you make sure the right side is up? I assume the clip part is always going to fall to the bottom, like toe cages do, since it may be heavier.

How do you keep from accidentally clipping in?

I'm really clueless about clipless pedals. I haven't taken the time to look at them in the LBS, and I really need to see a large variety to understand exactly how they work. I can see where pulling up would be a great advantage on a mountain bike. So, maybe someday I'll give them a try.

Karen

It depends what you mean by "dual sided."

My new Look KEO's definitely have 2 sides, but the side that has the cleat entry is weighted down at the back of the pedal so that it's in the right position for me to get in.

Some mountain bike pedals have 2 sides, and it doesn't matter which side you get in - they both work.

My boyfriend has Speedplays and they are also double sided and work on both sides.

I just bought clipless! Speedplay Frogs. The guys at the shop were teasing/cheering a bit, cuz I SWORE I wasn't gonna go clipless. Ever.

Haven't been able to try them out because the weather is so bad here right now.