Bicycle guys - can someone give me a quick education on clipless pedals?

[LeeH]

My wife is doing a mini-triathlon in April. I just got her a new Masi bike. She loves the bike, but wants to give clipless pedals a try. Any advice for a first time user who doesn't want to spend a bundle? What's the difference between road and mtb clipless pedals? I get choked up when I see the prices on these things. I don't want to end up with 20% of the bike's value being spend on the pedals!

[jhynesrockmtn]

I've been using Shimano spd pedals for years. Not maybe the road purist choice but I like to be able to go from bike to bike, commute, mountain and road with the same shoes and spd is great for that. They make both road and MTB versions but I typically use MTB pedals on all of my bikes for better durability. You can get them fairly cheap and they last. I can then take my shoes to spin class as well which is a bonus during the winter.

[McLovin]

just get a set of used lower end shimanos off ebay. dirt cheap, and they'll work find for road biking (you don't have the same issues as with something like MTB, where you are going off jumps, unpredictable turns, etc.)

you can get new sets of shimanos for around $40 on ebay, used ones even less.

[McLovin]

just a quick 30 second search example, you can find them even cheaper if you search ebay for a few minutes

Shimano PD-R540 SPD-SL Black Clipless Road Bike Predals - eBay (item 390160314125 end time Feb-23-10 12:15:20 PST)

[vash]

it's like learning to ride a bike all over again.

[Porschephile944]

The first couple of times she tries to get out of them should be on a soft surface, like grass or mulch. She'll thank you after she falls.

[cantdrv55]

This is what I use on my road bike. I can use the same shoes on spin bikes too. Great adjustability and easy on/off - perfect for new clipless pedal users.

Bike Parts Exclusives - Forté Carve MTB Pedal

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Porschephile944

The first couple of times she tries to get out of them should be on a soft surface, like grass or mulch. She'll thank you after she falls.

We do not have a lot of that where they live, in the desert in Arizona.

That said, there are a lot of tall Suguaro Cactus to grab onto if needed...

[Schrup]

The Shimano pedals work fine. The first thing she will have to do is get comfortable clicking into the pedals, especially if she rides in traffic. Don't bother with MTB pedals. To get myself familiar, I practiced with them on my trainer. A spin class would work as well. Nearly everyone (myself included) will forget to clip out when first starting to use them, usually resulting in falling over in front of a bunch of people at a busy intersection. It should only happen once.

She will probable want a pair of Tri shoes, the usually have a single big strap or the spendy ones have some sort of quick release. They're well vented so your feet can dry while on the bike. If she plans to do more than sprints, make sure they're comfortable. She doesn't want to come off the bike with numb feet or blisters & then have to run 12 miles.

I would adjust pedal releases real lose to begin with & then tighten them as she gains confidence.

[billybek]

You could start her out on Shimano's 50/50 pedals. They have a SPD on one side and a flat surface to pedal on if she doesn't feel confident being locked in.
I like speedplay pedals, very easy on knees that need to have a little more "play" in the shoe cleats to be easy on the knees. Pretty easy in and out, but a clunky cleat on the shoe makes it tough to walk any distance on. My mountain bike has Shimano 737 pedals.. Old school but bomb proof...

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Definitely worth the money. Road are a little lighter but there's no reason you can't use mtn. pedals & shoes on a road bike. The roadie snobs might laugh at you, but that's the only reason.

Mtn. shoes tend to be slightly less stiff. Road shoes are uber-stiff for maximum power transfer. Mtn. shoes consider that you may occasionally need to clip out to navigate terrain, etc. That's all. If she really likes the mountain pedals get 'em and fuch what everyone else thinks.

[BGCarrera32]

I am a big fan of Time clipless pedals. Not only do they provide rotational movement they also provide a small amount of lateral side to side float which is good for the knees. Set the retention low so they are easy to pop out of until she gets comfortable using them. Shoes and shoe fit are in my opinion as important than the pedal itself.

Road pedals in some instances will have a narrower distance between the sole of the shoe and the axle center of the pedal which reduces rocking torque and offers better power transfer. Negligible difference, but it exists.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

No falls no balls!

[flatbutt]

If she is seriously into the riding then clipless is the way to go. BUT if she's not into "push pull pedaling" then maybe they're not for her. Clipless really allows you to pull back on the return stroke allowing force to be applied to both pedals in both directions. If she's not into that then maybe toe straps are good enough for her. IMHO.

[jtkkz]

All I know is everyone who tried clipless pedals for the first time fell, so be careful and practice clipping in and releasing in the parking lot before riding out in the streets.....

Pedals with more float have less stress on the knees...

[dd74]

Your wife will need:

1) Shimano 105 clipless pedals. They're about $100 new. Don't let anyone talk you into Shimano Ultegra or Dura Ace -- there isn't that much difference in weight or manufacturing.

2) She will need Shimano-specific cleats. Not Look, not Speedplay, not Campy -- Shimano. Even if a cleat by another manufacturer works, it's best to keep the pedal-cleat assembly uniform via the same manufacturer.

3) Hopefully she will not need new shoes. That's where the big $$$ come in.

[jtkkz]

I am in the bike business, if any of you want to order parts, I can get them and ship them out.

[HardDrive]

I had Look pedals on my bike and I did NOT like them. Pain in the rear to get in and out of them. I rode on Shimano SPDs for years and they were fine. I'm going to pick up a pair of Speedplays next.

[HardDrive]

Wow, I take it you work for Sycip? COOL!!!! Awesome bikes. I want one of those Super Boy BMX bikes.

Originally Posted by jtkkz

I am in the bike business, if any of you want to order parts, I can get them and ship them out.

[dd74]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I'm going to pick up a pair of Speedplays next.

Send me your address. You can have mine if you want to try out a pair. I say that because Speedplays were by far the worst pedals I've ever used.