Clipless Question

[PrincessAna]

Hi peeps,

I bought a pair of Speedplay Frogs for my bike... and was all set to change the pedals... and I chickened out! As I build up my courage again, I started wondering something: Is it possible to pedal at all unclipped while riding with clipless pedals? Or is it clipped in or nothing?

The reason I'm wondering is because there are a couple of places where I might want to unclip a little early, and that would be harder to do if at that point I couldn't pedal at all.

Thanks!
Anastasia

[7rider]

I don't see why not.
I occasionally ride on top of, but not clipped into, my pedals - usually the mtb (Shimano) pedals, but occasionally on my road Speedplays, too. On the road, I usually do that as I"m approaching an intersection and I'm not sure if I'll get the light or not. I'll unclip early, and ease up to the intersection, resting my foot on the pedals (and doing a few revolutions of the cranks, too). On the trail, I'll do that if I'm at a sketchy section where I think I'll want to dab (put a foot down).
It's not the most efficient use of your pedalling, but it's not impossible, either.

[F8th637]

I have clipless pedals, not Frogs, but I probably only clip in like 50-75% of the time as I am still not 100% comfortable with always being clipped in. It's probably easier in some pedals than others to ride without actually clipping in. Someone with more experience than me with Frogs might be able to tell you how possible this is. I have the Crank Brothers Candy C pedals. I also unclip my left foot at places where I know I am going to have to stop or where there is a lot of people that might constitute needing an unexpected stop. HTH!

[ny biker]

For me it depends on what shoes I'm wearing. My road shoes slip off the pedal if they're not clipped in. With mountain bike shoes it's not a problem.

[alpinerabbit]

easy pedaling works. you can emphasize the foot that remains clipped. I have thought of gluing some rubber onto the sole behind my cleat to help. but I haven't gotten around to it.

[SouthernBelle]

You can ride unclipped with almost any pedal using your toe or arch, if necessary. Some are more friendly than others. Most of us have done it when starting through a busy intersection with our unclipped foot.

[BeeLady]

Remember, with one foot clipped in you can still pedal the full circle as your foot that is clipped in will pull the pedal up. So you can even "dangle" one foot if you need to and still make progress for awhile. Not very pretty, and I find it quite tiring, but it can be done.

Shimano has pedals that have clips on one side and platform pedal on the other. So you can ride in tennis shoes if you want.

My hubby has the Crank Bro pedals, and they don't look like they could be used without being clipped in to me.

[Fujichants]

especially with my new Keo Grip cleats that require an annoying level of accuracy to engage

I also find that with my new Keo cleats that I need to be really accurate, or else my foot just slides off the pedal. I've had several "ouch" moments when this happened. All I can say it, i'm happy i'm not a guy!

To the OP: Good job on getting back on after that first fall with your frogs! Just take it easy for now, take your time clipping in and unclipping. It will soon feel like second nature to you.

[PrincessAna]

My bike is fine, btw. I cushioned it's fall

[aicabsolut]

I also find that with my new Keo cleats that I need to be really accurate, or else my foot just slides off the pedal. I've had several "ouch" moments when this happened. All I can say it, i'm happy i'm not a guy!

To the OP: Good job on getting back on after that first fall with your frogs! Just take it easy for now, take your time clipping in and unclipping. It will soon feel like second nature to you.

I don't usually slip. It's like the cleat is too grippy and won't slide on in. I've almost ripped the rear rubber thing off trying to twist in. But at least I don't do the splits when I stop going down this one steep hill that has a stoplight at the bottom, and I'm not shredding the stopping foot's cleat when I work my way through traffic. It really sucks for getting started sometimes though! Either I'm clipped in right away or I'm fighting with the thing for forever.

To the OP: Are you in your easiest gear when you start? I found that to be the most helpful in getting enough momentum going while I was learning--being sure I could push off well and keep pedaling with the one leg. Some advocate being in a little higher gear to learn to put your weight on the pedal better, but that's never been my strong suit. I still have to start off in a fairly wimpy gear and panic when I get stopped in the middle of a hill.