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Hey everyone! Looking for a clipless pedal system that has easy release and easy entry. I'm a beginner (road cyclist), and while I have experience with clipless pedals (speedplays), my experience with them was traumatic. I realize I need more area on the pedal. Any suggestions for a female rider, 5'4", 120 lbs?
Thanks!
Speedplay Frogs.
Passive release. 20 degrees of float. No moving parts.
http://speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.frog
Plenty of road cyclists use them. They aren't just for mtb'ers.
I agree! I can't imagine any cleats being easier than Speedplay Frogs. They are extremely easy to get in and out of. All the benefits of cleats without feeling like you're one stop away from crashing.Quote:
Originally Posted by KnottedYet
I'm a Frogophile too (thanks to guess who) :D
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Another Froggie fan here! I was terrified at the thought of getting clipless pedals after seeing several people do the old "tip-over" on group rides. But after reading the rave reviews on this board I took a big breath and bought the Frogs. First time out I had to make a very hard stop to avoid a semi crossing the road (when he shouldn't have) and no problem getting out of them! Have loved them every since.
Hmmm...no one told me that! :cool: I use Frogs on my mtb and love 'em! Of course, I ride very tame trails, nothing too gnarly. I guess it would be possible to clip out too easily for those who ride the tough stuff. They're made for "mountain" shoes with recessed cleats, tho, so I guess I always thought they were originally for mountain bike riding!Quote:
Originally Posted by KnottedYet
I grew up on Speedplay X-2's on my road bikes....
I definitely second (or third, or fourth) the recommendation for Frogs. Easiest clip-in, clip-out ever!
Emily
haven't gone clipless here... but have also heard that frogs are the way to go for the easy-in-and-out (and mtb shoes for the recessed aspect)
Crank Bros pedals (such as eggbeaters) are also quite easy in & out. However, I think everything becomes easy once you get used to it. I bought clipless pedals for my road bike WAY before I should have (I was still a big nervous nelly about basic skills). I bought Ultegra (spd-sl) pedals, which do take a little force to clip out of. However, I had the hardest time when I first got them, I fell a few times, I actually wondered if there was something wrong with the pedals. Nope, I just didn't have a good "feel" for unclipping. After a month or two the unbearably difficult Ultegra pedals became easy and natural. They do, objectively, still take more force to get out of than the eggbeaters on my other bike, but the amount of force is not difficult to produce, it's just a matter of knowing how it feels. You just have to give it a little time and a lot of practice.
Good luck!
Well, after using spds for a couple of years, I switched to regular Speedplays (X2s). I had absolutely no adjustment at all. I've used them for four years and I have never had a problem getting in or out. I do have road shoes, so Frogs aren't an option, but I am wondering what you found difficult about the regular Speedplays. I love having the float. When I ride my other 2 bikes, which have campus pedals, one side spd, one side flat, my knees always kill me. And they have to be set on the loosest setting or I can't clip out.
Of course there's nothing wrong with using Frogs on a road bike, but I am curious about what happened to make you shy away from the other ones. Perhaps it was just getting used to clipless pedals?
I HIGHLY recommend the Crankbrothers Acid pedals. I ride them on my road bike with mountain bike shoes.
I was petrified of clipless a few months ago. The crankbrothers acid pedals have a small platform around the easy in and out of the egg beater. You can actually ride with only one foot clipped in until you want to be clipped in on both sides.
I have regular SPD's but I have them adjusted really loosely so I can unclip quickly.
+1 for Speedplay Frogs on your road bike. I have them on both my bikes. My kneecaps are rotated ever-so-slightly outward from the usual position, so I need a lot of float, and Frogs provide it.
me too. For example, yesterday, I cross chained on the big chain ringQuote:
Originally Posted by kelownagirl
and tried to shift down. The thing locked up. Before I could even figure out
what to do, both of my feet were unclipped, so if i had to stop, i would not fall over. I think if you're racing or something, it's better to have tighter SPD's but for me, the loose tension is perfect. and they are recessed nicely so i can walk in my bike shoes without being a total spastic.
I've considered trying SpeedPlays on my road for a wider base on the ball of my foot. Just haven't gotten around to it yet.
But, just wanted to add on the spds that I think having the multi release version makes a big difference vs the single release version.
I was used to the multi release spds and a LBS put single release on my new road shoes. I knew something was diff, but didn't figure it out until I was keeled over in a road ditch with my bike on top of me because I couldn't get unclipped the same, and in time.
Mine are set really soft, and I do have to be mindful of standing up on hills climbs. Can get squirly a bit in that situation.
Easier tho on the clip in and out factor, vs the singles.
Froggies here too. Another option is big platform pedals with removable pins like Wellgo pedals. I like to use these on my mountain bike for when I run my doggies with me.
I love my Crank Bros Quattros. They're my first venture into the clipless world and I had no problems. It's nice to be able to stomp in from any side and they come in lovely colors.:D
Ok, so I've been told that the speedplay X's are easiest to get in ad out of, but those were the ones I had so much trouble with. I think I'm just very afraid of being "locked" onto my bike, especially since I had knee surgery on my left knee in August and usually fall on my left side (since I release my dominate leg, my right leg, at stops). I've been told that the speedplay light action pedals may be a good option. Does anyone have experience or know of someone with these? Also, with the frogs, do I need MTB specific shoes? I ask this because I already have road shoes, so I would like to use those. Also, does anyone know about the Time ATAC's for road? Where to find them or if they are good for a beginner? Thanks!
More than likely, yes. Most road shoes have a 3 screw mount for cleats, the Frogs take 2 so the cleat area on the road shoes may not be large enough to accommodate the Frog cleats. Would you consider a platform pedal for the knee? I have a bad knee too and I have found the platform agrees with me when I have to stop and start alot. On my road bike I use the Frogs since I don't have to clip in and out often.Quote:
Originally Posted by jehocu03
What exactly do you mean by a platform pedal? I believe that may be what I'm using now,which is a pedal with no clip-in mechanism and a strap over my feet?
Platform pedals are the large flat toothy pedal you get on your bike at time of purchase. The platform pedal I like to use is a large metal platform with pins that really grip the shoes and can feel like you're clipped in but you can jump off the bike in a millisecond with these babies.
Yeah, those are the ones I use now. Should I just stick with them until my knee is 100% then, before jumping on clipless?
Do what's comfortable to YOU. I know Frogs are easy to clip out of for me but when my knee is extra cranky, it's nice to have the platform pedal to switch to.