Clipless pedals and knee issues

[Owlie]

I'm looking into buying clipless pedals and shoes (since the Keens sandals aren't quite going to cut it in a week or two...) and have a couple of questions. Since I didn't want to threadjack the other thread, I'm asking them here.

1)What's beginner-friendly? I recall someone saying that the Look system is harder to use initially, although I could be misremembering things. The bike gets used for longish (or, working up to that!) road rides, but it's quite possible that she'll become the commuter.

2)What's beginner-friendly and knee-friendly? I have loose knee ligaments, so they're quite prone to twisting and other not-fun things that potentially causes damage.

3)Shoes? I know it depends on what pedals I buy, but if someone really likes or really hates certain shoes, I'd like to hear about it.

[Cataboo]

I guess first question would be - do you want road shoes or mountain bike shoes? Do you want to be able to walk in your shoes or not? I'd say with knee problems, you probably want to get pedals with a lot of float (look into the speedplays).

[Owlie]

I guess first question would be - do you want road shoes or mountain bike shoes? Do you want to be able to walk in your shoes or not? I'd say with knee problems, you probably want to get pedals with a lot of float (look into the speedplays).

I'd like to be able to walk in the shoes. It's not an absolute requirement, but I'd feel more comfortable if something were to go wrong.

[Cataboo]

I use speedplay frogs, you use them on mountain bike shoes, so you will be able to walk on the shoes. On mountain bike shoes, the cleat is recessed up into the shoes - so sometimes you hear a clicking sound if the cleat hits the pavement, but you can still walk on them.

I started off with them because I knew I had knee cap tracking issues, and they have a fair amount of float... they also detach pretty easily, you just kinda turn your heel out. You just sort of turn your heel out slightly and they pop off.

A lot of people seem to like the crank brothers systems as well.

I can't say that I've really tried anything else other than spd for a few days - then I went to frogs because they were easier on my knees and haven't had a reason to try otherwise.

Actually, I've got a set of crank brothers pedals to put on my mountain bike, because I think the frogs detach a little bit too easily for serious mountain biking... but then I'm not doing the latter, so I haven't gotten there yet.

[velogirl]

I recommend a mtn bike shoe for all riders if you have any intention of walking in your shoes (including rest stops on rides).

Too much float can cause just as many biomechanical problems as not enough float (especially with new riders).

Double-sided pedals are preferable for ease of entry.

If you anticipate walking in mud or sand, I recommend any of the Crank Brothers pedals (Egg Beaters, Candies, etc) -- they're designed not to get mucked up in mud.



Lorri

[indigoiis]

I use the Look style pedals and cleats with well-worn Sidi shoes. For long rides at rest stops I do walk in them, but obviously not a heel-to-toe walk. If I had to walk any amount beyond a few hundred feet, I'd take the shoes off.

I really like them.

For my mountain bike, I use a basic shimano pedal and a pair of stiffish Nike mb shoes with rubberized tread - I still wouldn't want to walk a mile in those shoes but they do great for pushing the bike through a rock garden or walking up a hill.

[wildeny]

I recommend a mtn bike shoe for all riders if you have any intention of walking in your shoes (including rest stops on rides).

Too much float can cause just as many biomechanical problems as not enough float (especially with new riders).

I agree with Lorri.

I consider myself still a road-bike newbie. I chose mtb shoes and two-platform pedals (one for SPD and the other for regular shoes). It's much easier to walk with SPD shoes. Sometimes I can wear regular shoes on the flat platform of pedals.