Speaking of pedals…

[rapid cycler]

Which ones have you used? Which have you liked best and why?

I currently ride Crank Brothers Quattros but maybe not for long—see other post. I've also ridden Looks and Eggbeaters, each of which I found pretty intuitive and easy to get used to.

My partner remains a little clipless-phobic, but she'd really like to click in. Which style do you think is best for apprehensive clipless virgins?

[farrellcollie]

I think my crank bros. candies are the easier to clip out of than my spd pedals- but I also like my campus pedals because I can either clip in or not.

[Eden]

I would think that any pedal usable with a recessed cleat would be easiest to convince a hesitant person to use. The shoes are more walking friendly and they usually have grippy rubber bottoms so its harder to slip off the pedal if you don't get clipped in right away too.

You might want to consider SPD's for her just because you can get the kind with flat pedals on one side and spd's on the other (or a flat pedal adapter that clips into any standard spd pedal). If she gets nervy about clipless she can always switch to the flat pedals at any time.

[KnottedYet]

I like my Speedplay Frogs. No tension, no moving parts, nothing to adjust, all the float your knees and hips could want. They "unclip" in an instant.

I use mtb shoes, and can walk easily.

[Trek420]

You might want to consider SPD's for her just because you can get the kind with flat pedals on one side and spd's on the other (or a flat pedal adapter that clips into any standard spd pedal). If she gets nervy about clipless she can always switch to the flat pedals at any time.

These are what I started out with and now put them on my commuter-mobile. I quickly got used to and enjoyed SPD. Now it's a little frustrating feeling for, and flipping over the side with the clip.

My road bike has standard SPD pedals.

My LBS set them up on the loosest setting, "if you sneeze they will come unclipped" he said. Often I use ATB shoes, easy to walk in.

Can she practice on a trainer, and or quiet road?

[BikeDutchess]

I also got Speedplay Frogs based on recommendations I found here on TE and I love them. I had been riding with old-fashioned toeclips (cages) for years due to my clipless-phobia but found the Frogs super easy to use. So glad I made the switch!

[cosc]

I think speedplay frogs would be a good choice. I just changed after using spd's and wish I'd changed pedals long ago. They are extremely easy in and out . With mountain shoes the pedals are easy to pedal to get momentum if you happen not to clip in the instant you want too.

[roadie gal]

On my road bike I use the Speedplay X2's. I love them but wouldn't recommend them for someone who's never used clipless before. I think the amount of float might be intimidating.

I started out with, and still have on my mountain bike, SPD's. They're a good choice for a newbie, especially with mountain bike shoes or other shoes that you can walk in easily.

I learned to ride mine on a lawn. The pedalling was harder, but the falls were easier.

[rapid cycler]

I learned to ride mine on a lawn. The pedalling was harder, but the falls were easier.

That's fantastic!

After trying Time pedals around the neighborhood about a year ago—and falling several times—she shelved the idea of clipless. Recently she got the fire in her belly to give it another go and bought some Crank Bros. Acid pedals, which wouldn't have been my first choice for a newbie given my longish Quattro break-in period, but she's of independent spirit.

This time she tried them on my trainer. After much frustrated effort and consternation on her part, I suggested she try my Looks or my Eggbeaters. I don't know what she has against Looks—I found them a dream to adapt to—but she opted for the Eggbeaters and practiced entries and exits while watching the TdF preview on Vs. for motivation. Let's just say she isn't sold yet, so Frogs or SPDs certainly seem worth investigation, especially since each offer some platform versatility.

[farrellcollie]

I started with spd and then tried crank bro candies. I think the spd are easier to get into - but the candies are easier to exit.

[whateveronfire]

I am the aforementioned partner. I wanted (as some of you suggested) to use Mountain Bike shoes for ease of walking. The last thing I wanted to do was fall down while walking around OFF the bike.

I'm going to try the eggs some more, though rapid cycler is right that the Acids weren't great (I thought they'd be more like big Candies).

I'm intrigued by the frog idea, but am hesitant about spds. I'm not having as much trouble (on the trainer, mind you) getting in as getting out.

[Jiffer]

I have Speedplays ... one of the X series, I think the Titanium ones. I can't compare them to other cleats since they are the only one's I've ever used, which might be saying something if you're looking for something to learn on. I can't say if they're more difficult to learn on than something else, but I did fine learning with these. I guess they're different from some of the other clips in that you twist your foot out to get out of them, which can be awkward for someone who is used to something else. Yet, you clip in easily by just stepping into them, on either side of the pedal.

My husband switched to these back when he was doing a climb, pulled up hard and his foot came out of the clip. Since you twist your foot outward to get out of these, it is virtually impossible to accidentally unclip with these.

Here's an exerpt from the Speedplay website about the X Series.

The Speedplay X Series' innovative design and unrestricted float changed the shape of clipless pedals and continues to prove that user-friendliness, comfort, and improved performance are all attainable in a simple, lightweight package. The unique shape of X pedals provides knee-saving lateral rotation, without the self-centering action inherent in most pedals - your knees don't have to work against spring tension. The compact, low-profile shape of X pedals positions your foot closer to the spindle for optimal power transmission and unmatched cornering clearance. And their dual-sided design ensures easy entry and exit. X Series Pedals were Speedplay's first double-sided design and earned a prestigious Designers Choice Award from ID Magazine, the premier publication in the field of industrial design.

A friend of ours has the new Shimano clips (don't know what they're called). He likes them, as does the owner of our LBS shop. I don't know anything about them except that you don't twist your leg out to get out.

[emily_in_nc]

I vote for Speedplay Frogs. The X-series are for road shoes and are not as walkable. I have them on my road bike, but have Frogs on my mountain bike and love them. I will probably switch over to them on my road bike on of these days as well. Very easy in and out. I used to ride Candies on the mtb but found them too hard to get clipped into.

Emily

[Ninabike]

I have always used Looks (Keos) on my road bike with Sidi Genius shoes and I love them, but I am considering Frogs so I can use more walkable shoes. My only reservation is that I don't want to give up the stiff sole of a road shoe. For any of you ladies who have used both the Genius and Dominator shoes, it there much difference in the stiffness? (I guess I want to have my cake and eat it too - stiff sole but walkable.)

[whateveronfire]

Ok, evening update...

One thing Rapid Cycler didn't say was that I bought mountain shoes. I'm trying all this out on my road bike, but if it works, I'd like the have the same system on both bikes, which is why I was leaning toward something Crank Brothers or Frogs.

After reading everyone's ideas, I remembered that I had some really used SPD (they're old 535s, I think) pedals that came with my mountain bike (bought used). Why not try them out?

I went to REI and got some of the SPD multiple release cleats.

One of the pedals was in better shape than the other. I loosened the tension (probably too much) and tried them out. One of the pedals was hard to stay in (I think it's just that worn), but the other had a nice feel and I had NO trouble getting out. The multiple release business rocks.

So, I think I may try some SPDs. I'm going to look around for which ones might work best for the roadie. I'm not giving up on the Frog idea, but that adjustable tension/multiple release thing Shimano has going on is pretty cool for this clipless newbie.