clipless pedal woes

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions and quick replies. I spent the better part of the morning reading the horror stories of going clipless from men and women, and now I'm not sure I should do this at all! I ride about 20 miles a day, 6x a week - by myself. On path, off a path, down a bumpy street, on dirt, wherever I want to go.......now I'm wondering if clipless is even something I should consider. I'm not going to race, don't really enjoy riding with groups - and if I do anything it's a Randonneur ride where the only one you're racing against is....yourself. I use toe clips now - and like them very much. I also have to tell you that I'm no spring chicken (55) and an injury now would probably take forever to heal and I would be soooooo depressed. So - I guess my question is - what's the reason for going clipless? any real benefit if you're not racing. The toe clips I use now hold my foot in the perfect spot - and that in itself was a challenge - especially locating the correct pedal to go along with it. Small feet are cute and all but ......geesh! thanks again

Just throwing one other opinion in here....
I ride more like you- I'm 54, not into group fast rides at all, no competing. I ride in the country and on highways and back roads, mostly either by myself or with my husband, sometimes with a friend or two.
Lots of hills, cold winters.
I use PowerGrip straps, in a way similar to toe clips i guess. Just the right amount of keeping my feet in place securely without being actually locked in.
Here's a picture of me in semi-cold weather biking (40F) with hiking boots, heavy wool socks, and my straps:

I am totally happy with this setup, especially since it allows me to wear comfy sneakers in the summer and warm insulated hiking boots in the winter- I just adjust the straps bigger or smaller seasonally with my change of shoes.
Sure, I wouldn't mind instantly getting 2mph faster....but not if it means I have to wear expensive tight plastic shoes that make my feet go numb, avoid walking on dirt, ice, or mud, have freezing toes in the winter, and lock my feet in and out at every intersection. YUK, no thanks.
Many riders like clipless, many don't. Do what's right for you and what makes you comfortable.

[VeloVT]

I've ridden with toe clips and with clipless pedals, and while toe clips are light years better than riding on flat pedals, clipless pedals still feel much more powerful. The difference is especially noticeable on hills.

I think it just takes some people longer than others to get the clipless thing down. I read here about people who have no problems at all from the very first ride. For me, it took me probably a month before I could reliably clip out when I wanted to (lots of falls and lots of fear in the meantime), and a full summer before I felt really comfortable with them. Now, it's completely automatic and I wouldn't want to be without them. I actually feel more secure and safer with my clipless pedals than I do without them.

I have average sized feet (US size 7.5) and am average size/weight. When I first got my pedals (Ultegra spd-sl), even set to the loosest tension, I found it incredibly difficult to get out of them. I actually brought my bike into the shop and asked them to make sure there was nothing wrong with the pedals or cleats (they must have thought I was ridiculous). Nope, nothing wrong with the pedals. I just didn't have the feel for doing it, it felt awkward and I was probably doing something wrong (for instance, trying to lift up while turning). It also really helps (at least in the beginning) to clip out only at the bottom of the pedal stroke.

Anyway, I now don't find it difficult to clip out at all, either on my pedals or on my boyfriend's stiffer Dura Ace pedals. Once you get the motion right, it feels a lot easier (even though the actual force you need to unclip has not changed).

So, Lisa is right that you shouldn't feel pressured to get clipless, you need to do what works for you, but I wouldn't give up quite yet.

Best of luck!

[TrekTheKaty]

Don't give up on clipless. There is a learning curve, but now I have to think twice before riding my hybrid with normal pedals. I also find that I'm not positioning my feet correctly without the clipless pedals.

[emily_in_nc]

Lisa,

Your picture is fabulous! You sure look great on your lovely new bike! However, I do think you have some misapprehensions about clipless pedals and the shoes that go with them.

I'm a purely recreational cyclist these days, enjoying short trail/fire road rides on my mountain bike for fitness and fun, not speed or distance (been there, done that back in my roadie days), and I love, love, love my Speedplay Frogs! They are incredibly easy to clip into and out of, and the shoes I have are VERY, VERY comfy. Mountain bike shoes come in all types, from a Cannondale pair I have that look remarkably like your hiking boots, to sleek models that look like road shoes (I have a pair of those too), or the cool Keen Commuter sandals my riding buddy has and loves with her Eggbeater pedals. I got both of my pairs on sale, so they were not very pricey ($39 and $65) and have held up well. My shoes aren't so tight that I can't wear a variety of socks, from thin summer socks to thicker wool winter socks, and having the recessed cleats, walkability is not an issue as it is with road shoes/clips. Sure, I probably wouldn't want to walk in wet mud with cleats, but I don't really ride in it either!

The cleats definitely give me more power and speed on the hills, and they are so easy to clip into and out of that doing so at stops is just no big deal at all, no bigger than it would be to get into and out of Powergrips, I'd imagine.

I definitely believe in live and let live, so I respect your choice of Powergrips over clipless. It's definitely the more frugal choice. I just wanted to point out that some of your ideas about clipless pedals and cleated shoes are not necessarily accurate. I've heard a lot of complaints here about various pedal systems (and I've had my own issues in the past with Speedplay Zeros and Eggbeaters Candies), but I've yet to meet anyone who's tried them who doesn't like/love Speedplay Frogs.

[Di bear]

SPD pedals should be very easy to get out of.

The whole clipless experience is not designed to be painful... to talk to the store you bought them from.

Right on. I've used a couple models of SPDs and prefer them because they are so easy to get out of. You must make sure the tension is set to the easiest setting, for real. It may help to stop into your trusty bike shop for some assistance. :-)

Also, if you're riding in muddy conditions, that can make it difficult to clip out. Just kick the pedal to knock the mud off.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lisa,

Your picture is fabulous! You sure look great on your lovely new bike! However, I do think you have some misapprehensions about clipless pedals and the shoes that go with them.

I'm a purely recreational cyclist these days, enjoying short trail/fire road rides on my mountain bike for fitness and fun, not speed or distance (been there, done that back in my roadie days), and I love, love, love my Speedplay Frogs! They are incredibly easy to clip into and out of, and the shoes I have are VERY, VERY comfy. Mountain bike shoes come in all types, from a Cannondale pair I have that look remarkably like your hiking boots, to sleek models that look like road shoes (I have a pair of those too), or the cool Keen Commuter sandals my riding buddy has and loves with her Eggbeater pedals. I got both of my pairs on sale, so they were not very pricey ($39 and $65) and have held up well. My shoes aren't so tight that I can't wear a variety of socks, from thin summer socks to thicker wool winter socks, and having the recessed cleats, walkability is not an issue as it is with road shoes/clips. Sure, I probably wouldn't want to walk in wet mud with cleats, but I don't really ride in it either!

The cleats definitely give me more power and speed on the hills, and they are so easy to clip into and out of that doing so at stops is just no big deal at all, no bigger than it would be to get into and out of Powergrips, I'd imagine.

I definitely believe in live and let live, so I respect your choice of Powergrips over clipless. It's definitely the more frugal choice. I just wanted to point out that some of your ideas about clipless pedals and cleated shoes are not necessarily accurate. I've heard a lot of complaints here about various pedal systems (and I've had my own issues in the past with Speedplay Zeros and Eggbeaters Candies), but I've yet to meet anyone who's tried them who doesn't like/love Speedplay Frogs.

Hey I hear what you are saying Emily. I know there are lots of combos of clipless pedals and shoes that people find to be comfy and easy to use. I have indeed heard that Frogs are much easier than many other types, and that mtn bike clipless shoes are comfier too.
For me, it's been a personal decision. I work at home and I'm often hopping on and off my bike at any given time of day to do errands, shop, perhaps spontaneously combining errands with a 20 mile road ride, meet someone for lunch on my bike, go to the PO, dentist, etc. I always ride directly from home, I don't drive to a destination in order to ride like many bikers have to do- so the idea of having to change my shoes or boots when I want to jump on my bike (and then possibly having to haul the change of shoes around on my bike too) is a real turn off for me- especially when it's dreadfully cold out. I see many of my friends spend an awful lot of time on their various clipless 'issues' and changing shoes constantly. More power to them!
For me all that seems needlessly fussy and just doesn't fit into my particular lifestyle. I am totally happy and comfortable wearing my favorite everyday shoes and boots on my bike. In fact, on most days literally half of what I wear for the day is already bike-ready...wool leggings, merino turtlenecks and Ibex Shaks....most times all I need to do is pull some padded shorts on right over my wool leggings and throw on a hi-vis vest to be instantly ready for a ride. I like it that way, I just don't feel I want to add changing into special biking shoes to the preparations of getting on my bike. I know you must understand.
Sometimes I feel I should never contribute to clipless discussions, since it always winds up with people assuring me I would embrace them joyfully if I'd only try them. (not meaning you here)
My name is Lisa and I rejoice in being clipless free!

[chicago]

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions and quick replies. I spent the better part of the morning reading the horror stories of going clipless from men and women, and now I'm not sure I should do this at all! I ride about 20 miles a day, 6x a week - by myself. On path, off a path, down a bumpy street, on dirt, wherever I want to go.......now I'm wondering if clipless is even something I should consider. I'm not going to race, don't really enjoy riding with groups - and if I do anything it's a Randonneur ride where the only one you're racing against is....yourself. I use toe clips now - and like them very much. I also have to tell you that I'm no spring chicken (55) and an injury now would probably take forever to heal and I would be soooooo depressed. So - I guess my question is - what's the reason for going clipless? any real benefit if you're not racing. The toe clips I use now hold my foot in the perfect spot - and that in itself was a challenge - especially locating the correct pedal to go along with it. Small feet are cute and all but ......geesh! thanks again

gosh do not go back!! stay with clipless... you wont be sorry. it's just hard to get used to at first... but soon it will become second nature to clip in and out. you might have the tension too tight and some other adjustments... you need to read like you've been doing. i can't imagine riding in anything but clipless. once you get used to them and do longer rides on them, you will wonder how your rode a bike any other way. hang in there... anything new takes time to get used to

oh and yes you do have to clean them!! when you wash your bike, wash your pedals. dust and dirt get in there and sometimes make it difficult to clip in and out... so keep them clean just like the rest of your bike

[Flur]

I wish I had an answer for you on your shoes and the frogs, but I know that they're designed for a 2-hole shoe and you have a 3-hole shoe and I don't know if there's an adapter. But before you go out and buy a new pair of shoes thinking that Frogs will fix everything, keep in mind that no pedal is perfect for everyone. I'm selling mine with only about 20 miles on them b/c I had major knee issues with them. They are a "great for most" pedal, not a "great for all" pedal.

I second the recommendation to consider the Crank Bros Quattros. They will work with your shoes, they are easy to get in and out of, they have a reasonable amount of float, two-sided, etc. I love my Candies and have never had a hard time getting out (there is a wear in period where you'll want to clip in and out over and over to make them easier, but even when I first got them I had no issues).

[emily_in_nc]

Hey I hear what you are saying Emily. I know there are lots of combos of clipless pedals and shoes that people find to be comfy and easy to use. I have indeed heard that Frogs are much easier than many other types, and that mtn bike clipless shoes are comfier too.
For me, it's been a personal decision. I work at home and I'm often hopping on and off my bike at any given time of day to do errands, shop, perhaps spontaneously combining errands with a 20 mile road ride, meet someone for lunch on my bike, go to the PO, dentist, etc. I always ride directly from home, I don't drive to a destination in order to ride like many bikers have to do- so the idea of having to change my shoes or boots when I want to jump on my bike (and then possibly having to haul the change of shoes around on my bike too) is a real turn off for me- especially when it's dreadfully cold out. I see many of my friends spend an awful lot of time on their various clipless 'issues' and changing shoes constantly. More power to them!
For me all that seems needlessly fussy and just doesn't fit into my particular lifestyle. I am totally happy and comfortable wearing my favorite everyday shoes and boots on my bike. In fact, on most days literally half of what I wear for the day is already bike-ready...wool leggings, merino turtlenecks and Ibex Shaks....most times all I need to do is pull some padded shorts on right over my wool leggings and throw on a hi-vis vest to be instantly ready for a ride. I like it that way, I just don't feel I want to add changing into special biking shoes to the preparations of getting on my bike. I know you must understand.
Sometimes I feel I should never contribute to clipless discussions, since it always winds up with people assuring me I would embrace them joyfully if I'd only try them. (not meaning you here)
My name is Lisa and I rejoice in being clipless free!

Totally understood, Lisa! I am very envious of your lifestyle and wish I could bike so many places right from my home! I hope to live in such a place someday when I am retired and be able to be car-free or as close to that as possible. I agree that your shoes and Powergrips make total sense in your situation.

And I don't think you should stop contributing on clipless threads, since you offer an option that a new rider might not even be aware of. I think Powergrips could be a good interim step for someone who wants to go clipless but is fearful initially, just to give them the feeling of being attached (kinda!) to the pedal.

There are, as we always say here, different strokes for different folks, and none of them wrong.

[kfergos]

I second (third?) the Crank Bros. pedal option. They don't have a tension adjustment, but they're extremely easy to clip in/out of to start with, and as you ride, the loosen up a bit. I also agree that practicing while stationary is good; I spent quite a while just sitting on my bike, clipping in and out, before I tried going on the road.

I also have found that I feel safer and I enjoy riding more with the clipless pedals than with toe clips, for the following reasons:

1. Your clipless shoes don't usually have laces, so that eliminates the whole "did I tuck my laces in?" concern
2. My Crank Bros. eggbeaters are actually easier and more intuitive to get out of than regular toe clips. The motion -- twisting your heel out -- is one you're going to make anyway when putting your foot down, whereas pulling your foot backwards to remove it from the cage is an extra step.
2.a. They're also easier to get in to from a stop. Just press your foot down and in, rather than having to flip your pedal upright and get your toe in real quick.
3. You get better control and more power when clipped in. If hills play any part in your riding, seriously consider continuing to give clipless pedals a try. They give you that ability to pull up and make a full circle with the pedals that is lacking even with cages.
4. The stiff sole supports your foot better than, say, a flexible tennis shoe sole. This means you don't waste energy keeping your foot stiff, and it also means when you stand up on the pedal, it's supporting your whole foot securely.

[DMB]

Talk about dumb. Took me a while to figure out how to get back here. More great posts and suggestions, thank you all so very much! Well, I guess my biggest fear of going clipless is an injury. I'm enjoying this way too much and an injury would probably send me into a deep depression if I couldn't ride every day. I'm also old, and an injury would take forever to heal. Seriously. Riding has become an addiction, and I don't care - as far as I'm concerned it's a good one to have.
Anyway - many of you are mentioning "clipless is especially good for hills" - well, I'm in southern CA, Canyon Country........and you might as well call it Hill City. My rides have been limited to where I can go because of my bike and the hills. I've been test riding a lot of bikes but because I'm small (5'1, 115#) they're giving me all these WSD bikes to try and it's like....WHERE'S THE BIKE?? they're tiny, squirelly, wiggly - and these are the Intermediates, not entry level bikes. I'll just have to keep looking. So - I'm thinking of putting narrower, slicks on my Raliegh Venture 7 speed bike for now - and going to clipless - hopefully, less friction, more speed and easier climbs, no? Going to REI to see if they have the frogs and the Cranks? that were mentioned. I'm pretty sure I can return the shoes. thanks again everyone!

[VeloVT]

Don't assume that you automatically need a WSD bike because you're small. If you have a relatively long torso, you may be better on non-WSD bike if you can find one small enough.

I have noticed that a lot of WSD bike come stock with very tiny stems. (80mm and smaller sometimes). This can make a bike twitchy feeling -- you might pay attention to that and ask if you can try a bike with a stem that is 90mm or so (I would guess most of the bikes in your size won't come stock with anything much longer than that). Remember that this is something that is easy and inexpensive to change. What you might find on WSD bikes that might be important for you -- short-reach shifters and shorter cranks.

But otherwise, fast bike + quick handling = good ! With the 5-10 lb weightloss and lots of extra gears, you'll fly up (and down!) those hills!

[DMB]

thanks Liza, so much to think about and learn..........what an adventure!

[SouthernBelle]

Define old.

[xeney]

I've yet to meet anyone who's tried them who doesn't like/love Speedplay Frogs.

My husband. He has a knee injury (with a huge titanium plate running down his shin) that makes it impossible for him to unclip from Frogs. They are supposed to be good for bad knees, but not his bad knee. He tried mine and literally could not use them.

He used SPDs for years and now uses Look style pedals, I think. He loves clipless pedals, but not Frogs (or other Speedplays).

I am a failure at clipless pedals ... I finally got them down, after an injury that scared me away from them for a while, but then I got pregnant, stopped riding my road bike for a while, and haven't gone back to them since my road bike is currently set up to haul a trailer and I'd just as soon have my feet free for that. Once my new trailer-puller is set up (probably with toe clips) I am going to put the Frogs back on my Bianchi and this time they aren't coming back off.

I did find Frogs to be a thousand times easier than SPDs, which I could never clip into, much less out of.