The positives and the negatives of going clipless
Many older road riders have got back into cycling after many years off the bike. I’m a good example of that.
Up to the age of 25 I rode regularly on a good racing bike, though I was commuting. Between the ages of 25 and 50 I never climbed on a bike.
So when I began road riding again I was stunned to see that other riders didn’t seem to use toe clips. That essential pedal accessory that was on every racing bike when I was young just wasn’t around any more.
Because of course when I was 25 everyone rode with toe clips. It was much better to ride with toe clips because that way your cycling shoes stayed firmly in the right place, ball of the foot over the pedal.
At 50 I learned that toe clips were out. There was a better way of keeping my foot in place over the pedal. I was told that I needed to go clipless.
Are You Considering Going Clipless?
If you’ve just started road riding then it won’t be long before you’re considering doing the same. Clipless pedals are so much more efficient than toe clips, and toe clips are gone.
However there is a certain fear attached to going clipless, faced by every rider on that first day. So today I wanted to look at clipless pedals. The positives and negatives.
Because of course when you’re using clipless pedals you’re locked into the pedal. You can’t whip your foot out and put it down in an emergency like you could with toe clips. If you don’t get your feet out, or at least one foot, when you stop you go down.
What Are the Benefits of Clipless Pedals?
First of all, to encourage you to go clipless, let’s look at the benefits. A clipless system allows you to buy dedicated road riding shoes. Road riding shoes are specifically designed to transfer power quickly and efficiently from your foot onto the pedal with minimum wastage.
For example they have extremely stiff soles, so when you push down there is no effort wasted in simply bending the sole. And stiff soles means a more comfortable ride because they transfer the pressure over your whole foot.
And clipless pedals allow you, because you are locked to the pedal, to pull up on the pedal on the up stroke as well as to push down.
And the position of your foot on the pedal can be adjusted minutely so that it can be positioned at the exact optimum place for transfer of power, and your foot shall remain firmly planted in the right position.
What Exactly Are Clipless Pedals?
Clipless pedals comprised 2 parts. The first is the pedal itself which simply screws into the crank just like any other pedal.
The second part is a cleat which screws onto the bottom of each shoe, and it is this cleat which clips into the pedal. The position of the cleats on the underside of the shoe can also be adjusted.
How Do You Use Clipless Pedals?
The first thing to emphasise is that it takes a little practice to perfect your clipless technique. You should practice on your own first rather than doing a bunch ride on your first day.
Simply climb on your bike as you normally would, with one foot on the road. Slide the other foot slowly forward on the pedal until you feel it stop when the front of the cleat engages. Then simply push down with your heel.
You’ll hear an audible click as you click in. Start riding, then do the same with your other foot.
Get started on the flat, not on a hill.
Once you’ve got started and you’ve clicked in the most important thing to practice is clipping out. Using the foot you would normally put down when you stop, twist your heel outwards until you feel the cleats release.
Do not pull upwards, this will not work and you will not release.
Practice getting both feet in and getting both feet out. Do this until you are comfortable with the procedure, and only then do your regular bunch ride.
The most important thing to remember is to be aware that you are clipped in while you are riding, and in particular before you stop. Always remove the correct foot before you come to a stop, anticipating the stop.
And always be aware of which side you need to lean when you stop, almost everyone has experienced unclipping the left foot, only to find they stop with a slight lean to the right, and the right foot is still clipped in.
Once You’ve Got Started You’ll Love It.
Whilst you might be a little nervous right now about going clipless, you’ll be surprised at how good it feels when you’re locked into the pedals. Your cycling becomes more efficient, your foot is always in the right place and it feels so natural.
But remember, always be aware that you are clipped in, anticipate and always have one foot unclipped before you stop.
What Are the Negatives of Clipless Pedals?
I said I’d look at the positives as well as the negatives. The positives outweigh the negatives however there is no doubt that there is some fear attached to locking yourself in. And the risk of a fall.
I was told that everyone fell at least once when learning to ride clipless. That’s not true as I didn’t fall, but some do. Although it’s usually a low speed fall, it can still be painful and more likely embarrassing. There’s always someone watching.
It’s all about awareness and anticipation. Once you learn to clip out you need to anticipate both expected as well as unexpected stops, and clip out quickly. Fail to get unclipped and you’re on the road. It doesn’t happen that often though.
The other negative, of course, is that it costs some money to buy new shoes, pedals and cleats. But it’s worth it.
Overall you’ll find that going clipless is a positive experience. Once you’re used to it you’ll wonder what all the fuss was about.
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