Toying with the idea of trying clipless pedals

[Hi Ho Silver]

Since I’ve always used pedals with toe clips, I’ve been following the thread regarding "switching back to toe clips from clipless pedals". Based on some of the remarks, I’ve been toying with the idea of trying out clipless just to see if I get any advantage from them. Y’all seem to have a lot of knowledge about the differences between clipless pedals, so I thought I’d get your opinions.

First, about me:
-Both feet supinate very badly.
-My left leg is stronger, longer, has no limitations, and can rotate normally at the knee (to facilitate unclipping).
-I always use my left leg to stabilize when I stop.
-My right leg suffers from chronic knee tendonitis, normally the toes point slightly outward (I do try to keep the foot pointed straight ahead when I pedal, but I’m not always successful.), and the knee problem limits my ability to rotate my foot heel-outward.

The pedals I’ve been considering are all the mtb type –Speedplay Frogs, Crank Brothers Candy, Time ATAC XS, Look Quartz, and Shimano M520. Looking at the specs for these pedals, I don’t think I could unclip the right foot with Speedplays (20 degree rotation required). I might be able to do the Crank Bros and Looks (both require 15 degrees rotation). The Times (at 13 degrees) might be doable. And the Shimanos (at ~5 degrees) are probably doable, however, I can't rotate my right foot with much force and the release tension would have to be very low.

So my question is for those of you who have tried more than one brand of clipless – which brand do you think would have the best chance of success for me?

Thanks for your help!


Jean

[Seajay]

Given your feet/leg issues. You may well be beyond the skill level of most bike fitters. Is there a well respected PT/Bike Fitter in your area?
Perhaps call Eric Moen at CorpreSano PT in Seattle. See if he knows anyone in your area.
My guess is that you can have a positive experience with "clipless" if set up correctly.
Beyond that. After you get the pedals/shoes....Practice against a wall in your house for a while, then go to the park and stop/start on a variety of slopes ON THE GRASS before giving them a go on a quiet road/trail. You want to develop good instincts to clip in/out before you go "out in the real world' No scraped skin that way.

[grey]

I'm faaaar from an expert, but I can tell you what clipless did for me, which may or may not help regarding trying to keep your foot straight when you pedal.

Once I had the clips set where I needed them, it was fantastic. I did a lot better at keeping my right foot straight - I have a tendency to turn it inward and use the blade of the foot for some reason. I also used to always have numbness in my feet after ~20 miles, and right ankle trouble (probably from the inward turning issue).

I have a lot more power now. It's really nice to be able to really use the upstroke, something I never managed with toe cages. I'm using the basic Shimano's, no issues clipping in/out, I can change the tension so it's easier/harder to clip in/out without too much trouble. Even with the tension at the lowest level, I've never "accidentally unclipped" while riding.

[zoom-zoom]

You don't need an awful lot of force to disengage most clipless pedals. I've been on the M520s since I first started riding seriously less than 2 years ago. This includes as a relative noob on a brand new grade 2 sprain (suffered during a trail running relay and rehabbed very poorly in the first few days). I kept the tension at the lowest setting and still have it there. Though I have had some pop-outs when I've hit potholes. I think the mechanism has simply loosened a bit with time.

[KnottedYet]

I second the call to Eric Moen.

How much is your LLD? If it is a biggie (more than an inch of true LLD) you might do best with a drop-pedal system.

I am a bit intrigued by your description of your short leg having the foot externally rotated. That's something we usually see on the LONG leg. Or else on the leg of an internally rotated (weak butt) hip. Rotation to unclip comes from the hip joint (the knee really doesn't rotate, it just slews around with the leg as a whole) which again makes me wonder about that right leg and weak butt muscles.

Do you have a PT who can work with you?

[Hi Ho Silver]

I second the call to Eric Moen.

How much is your LLD? If it is a biggie (more than an inch of true LLD) you might do best with a drop-pedal system.

I am a bit intrigued by your description of your short leg having the foot externally rotated. That's something we usually see on the LONG leg. Or else on the leg of an internally rotated (weak butt) hip. Rotation to unclip comes from the hip joint (the knee really doesn't rotate, it just slews around with the leg as a whole) which again makes me wonder about that right leg and weak butt muscles.

Do you have a PT who can work with you?

Wow, you say rotation to unclip comes from the hip? Then my limited ability to rotate my right foot sorta makes sense: Ages ago I had an anterior spinal fusion (L5) and they took the bone to be fused to the vertebrae from my right hip. If I lay down on my back and relax, the whole right leg tends to flop outward.

I don't recall my LLD, but I'm sure it isn't an inch. When I was in college I did wear orthopedic shoes with a lift in the right, but it seems to me it was a pretty small lift (just guessing, maybe 1/4" at most).

Given the problems I mentioned, should I avoid clipless pedals unless I can find a PT/ bike fitter that can work with me?

Thanks for your insights!

[KnottedYet]

It doesn't all come from the hip, but a good bit of it does. Some also comes from inverting the foot. If you are supinated, you're already in inversion so that really leaves your hip to do it.

I'd think if you can get a sports med PT to address your hip (be sure to tell them about the surgery), you might find your pedal requirements change. You might find your apparent LLD changes as well. (weak-butt legs tend to look shorter, even when the femur or tibia aren't structurally shorter)

[Hi Ho Silver]

Good heavens! - I forgot to mention that the right knee has had 4 operations: a medial meniscectomy, followed by two manipulations under anesthesia to unfreeze the knee after poor post-op care (which I blame the chronic tendonitis on), and then a lateral release (which accomplished nothing).

Knotted, thanks for your responses. I'll get a PT to evaluate me before I plunge into getting clipless pedals.

[rivergal]

You might also want to check out Power Grips. I have knee issues, and found these were a good fit for me. My sister uses them as well, and we both like having more power than toe clips.

[Hi Ho Silver]

Do you really feel that Power grips allow you to apply more power to the pedals that toe clips with straps? What about when standing? If so, I might give them a shot.

Jean