Thread: Cycling Q - about to change from clips to cleats

Even if not doing much walking road shoes are a pain, road shoes are for riding and for walking you just manage. MTB shoes are a lot more walker friendly, just going to the shower room is made that much easier with the recessed cleats on MTB shoes.

The other thing I found was after going from MTB shoes to road shoes was that road shoe cleats are single sided whereas MTB cleats are on both sides of the pedal. If like me you stop at the lights and take a shoe out of the cleats it is much easier getting back in with the double sided cleats. I guess that is part of the reason why some road bike riders try and balance on the pedals at the lights, it's a pain to get back into the road pedal cleats as more often than not you will have to roll the pedal over before you can get into the single sided cleat.

My two bobs

Originally Posted by Slunnie

There is a better best. Locking in is more efficient.

Nope, i like to be able change where i put my foot on the pedal so i can cycle all day without getting cramps from having my feet stuck in one position only. i like to flat pedal in the centre of my foot when the tracks are sandy, the ball of my foot, when the going is easy or i need power, and even on my heels at the end of the day, just keep going. No good being stuck to your bike when you hit sand patches.
When you,ve cycled Cape york peninsular, solo, with panniers and a bob trailer, you,ll understand.

Originally Posted by Savanahkelpy

Nope, i like to be able change where i put my foot on the pedal so i can cycle all day without getting cramps from having my feet stuck in one position only. i like to flat pedal in the centre of my foot when the tracks are sandy, the ball of my foot, when the going is easy or i need power, and even on my heels at the end of the day, just keep going. No good being stuck to your bike when you hit sand patches.
When you,ve cycled Cape york peninsular, solo, with panniers and a bob trailer, you,ll understand.

Ahhhh different applications on the bike I think. I wouldn't ride more than 50km in stint usually and I'm not sure Scotts doing the cape with a goose neck either, but thats one hell of a ride.

I do Cape York in a 4WD.

Good to see so many cyclist in a place other than a cycling forum.

I'm a MTB'er, have been for many years. Even had a bike shop for a couple of years.

If your not racing road I wouldn't bother with road shoes/pedals. Go with the MTB ones. As others have already stated they are a hell of a lot more comfortable and a heap easier towalk in.

As for brands, personally I'm a shimano fanboy. I have used Crank Bros pedals, a set of Candy's came on one of my bikes when I bought it so I put them on all my bikes. It was the worst 3-4 months of riding I have ever had. Had numerous stacks from them not clipping in, pulling them out when pedalling and when lifting the bike to bunnyhop stuff. The bushings wore out in the time I used them too which is pretty poor. They are very vague in their engagement and I found they were very easy to bend the spring so they were always being bent back or were very loose. In my mind shimano crap on them in every way except weight, which isn't an issue unless your racing.
I still have a pair of shimano pedals that are over 15 years old and I have never put a bearing or bushing in them, just serviced them every 12 months or so. I had to replace the bushings on 3 sets of CB's in 3-4 months, plus a couple on the pairs I had sold in the time I was trying them out.

You will notice a massive difference compared to the toe clips, Better power transfer, better control over the bike, And if it's all fitted well with the cleats in the right spot and the seat height and setback right your knees will last forever.

Personally, I use the Shimano SPD pedals & shoes (the MTB setup) with my road & mountain bikes.

However, the MTB setup is a compromise...

Personally, I prefer the cleats as they hold your foot in the pedal better. With the SPD pedals, I sometimes pull my foot out when I'm give it 'some stick!'... but as I said, it's a compromise.

HTH

M

Originally Posted by Savanahkelpy

Nope, i like to be able change where i put my foot on the pedal so i can cycle all day without getting cramps from having my feet stuck in one position only. i like to flat pedal in the centre of my foot when the tracks are sandy, the ball of my foot, when the going is easy or i need power, and even on my heels at the end of the day, just keep going. No good being stuck to your bike when you hit sand patches.
When you,ve cycled Cape york peninsular, solo, with panniers and a bob trailer, you,ll understand.

But if you can use clipless pedals properly, you won't be stuck to your bike! You can ride absolutely any conditions with cleats - and be able to release - it's just practice. And I have competed in 24 hr MTB Marathons and many other extreme cycling events!

And really, you should always pedal with the pedal's centre under the ball of the foot - if your bike is set up correctly, you shouldn't have issues with cramps. If you have had issues cramping, I'd suggest it's more likely hydration and or diet or because you are not positioning your pedal correctly with respect to your foot.

These bio mechanical issues are well known and part of any coach's training. I'd try them (clipless pedals) again, set up correctly, and see how you go.

Back in the days when I rode a bike it was shoes with cleats and toe straps.

Guess things have changed a bit.

Did you also repair damaged wheels by chiselling a new one out of the nearest cliff?