New Road Shoes

[mardeebo]

I'm using the same pedals I used before (SPD's), but I know have problems with not being able to pedal at all when not clipped in (because of the smooth sole instead of treaded).
Anyone else have this problem and a solution to it?

I had this same problem when I switched from a MTB shoe w/SPD pedals over to a road shoe with Look Keo Easy pedals. It scared me so much I went a year before trying again (I fell several times trying out the new pedals). I couldn't pedal w/o being clipped in due to the smooth surface. I tried to clip in, slip off the pedal, lose my momentum, and over I'd go.

A year later, I switched over to Shimano Ultegra pedals and the cleat seems to "catch" the pedal easier, enabling me to pedal w/o being clipped in.

But the real "ah-ha" moment for me was learning to not unclip both feet at stop signs. Before approaching the stop, I make sure I'm in a low enough gear. Then, when I take off again, I just pedal w/the side that's still clipped in. If I miss connecting the clip or I don't want to clip in the other foot just yet, I can still pedal forward. I practiced this with my old shoes/pedals until it became a habit.

Now I feel much more comfortable with the new slippery bottom surface of the road shoes.

Still, I think it would be hard to pedal a road shoe on a spd pedal. The cleats for my pedals are a large triangle shape.

Good luck..