Clipless pedals

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In the 'olden days' cyclists wore shoes that simply rested on the pedals during cycling, and life was simple. Then someone had the bright idea of fitting toe clips to pedals, to stop the shoes sliding around so much. Slightly irritating to use, but more or less a good idea.

Then by the 1950's someone had the idea of also fitting something to the shoe that clipped around the back of the pedal. Used together with toe clips that worked pretty well, and it was still essentially possible to move your feet to the ground when necessary (for example stopping at a road junction) without major incident.

Now we move forward to recent years. Every cyclist worth his spandex shorts is using 'clipless' pedals. These come in various shapes and forms, but the general idea is that a 'cleat' - a clip, if you must - is fastened to the bottom of the cycle shoe. An appropriate pedal is then used, such that the cleat can be clipped into the pedal when cycling. To 'unclip' it is necessary to turn the shoe (twist the foot) slightly outwards.

Hence the shoe is fixed to the pedal, which can improve cycling in all manner of ways. No more friction between shoe and pedal; no more loss of grip; and if you are really keen you can actually pull the pedals upwards at the back of the turn as well as push them down at the front (this is hard work).

Note 1: pedals come with a standard size thread and can be readily changed / replaced. You would be well advised to put some grease on the thread before fitting your new pedal - so that in years to come it can still be removed if necessary! Remember to order 'cleats' at the same time as your pedals - these screw to the bottom of your cycling shoes so they can clip on.

Note 2: Having bought your new pedals you will also need some cycling shoes, and cleats (your new shoes will probably come with cleats already supplied)

Why are they called clipless pedals? Beats me, but I think it's because you no longer have toe-clips. the fact you still have clips seems to have escaped the attention of whoever invented the name 'clipless pedals'.

So this works very well, but there is a downside in having your feet fixed securely to the pedals. You need to plan ahead more when you are going to stop. This is usually not a problem but there are three occasions when it is:

Something leaps out in front of you suddenly and you need to stop unexpectedly.
You need to stop for some reason on a steep uphill section. Getting clipped in takes a few seconds, and you need momentum while you are doing it. so getting started again on a steep uphill can be very difficult. Luckily this provides extra motivation not to stop on the hills.
You forget. When this happens, and it does happen, usually during the first couple of weeks with clipless pedals, you fall over. Since your feet are fixed to the pedals, when you try and put a leg out to support yourself nothing happens, and you land on your leg, arm, shoulder, whatever. On tarmac this can be very painful (believe me).

For newcomers to 'serious' cycling all the stories of falling off as soon as you start using clipless pedals can seem a bit off-putting. Be assured, the pleasure of using them far exceeds the pain of that nasty graze you will get on your second trip out (first trip you'll be too aware of them, and be extra careful, but by your second trip you'll start to forget you have them on).

The other significant disadvantages of clipless pedals are

they are pretty much impossible to use with normal shoes, so if you use your bike for cycling to the newspaper shop on a Sunday morning, that will be less practical
as you now have big lumps of plastic screwed to the bottom of your cycling shoes you look like you have a serious medical problem when you try and walk in them
you have to go and buy these special shoes and pedals - perhaps £70+ for shoes and £40+ for the pedals

They really do improve your cycling, and allow you to push down evenly for a larger part of the pedalling cycle. There is also a small element of 'pulling up' on the pedal at the back of the pedal stroke - perhaps usually negligible, but can be very useful in a fast sprint).

Very few cyclists would change back from clipless pedals to 'normal' pedals, I think, having once acclimatised to clipless pedals. It is pehaps the most important improvement you can make in your cycling (unless you are overweight).

9 Comments

Martin Sketchley makes this comment

Thursday, 13 May 2010

Very useful and well balanced. Thank you.
Chris Dale makes this comment

Thursday, 03 June 2010

Hi, in the last paragraph you mention these types of pedals are the most important improvement to make (unless you are overweight). Does that mean if you are overweight you shouldn't use them or that losing the weight would be the most important improvement?

Thanks, and love the site as a newbie rider, very informative.

Chris
Admin makes this comment

Thursday, 03 June 2010

Hi Chris, thanks for dropping in, glad the site is useful. Yes, I meant that if someone is significantly overweight then losing weight will make a far more dramatic difference than what pedals they use. No problem at all being overweight and using cliples pedals though!
Dave makes this comment

Sunday, 11 July 2010

This is a very well written article. Thanks.
I have a quick question though:
I suffered a major and sudden component failure riding uphill, standing up and on the down stroke! This was some years ago and due to using clipless pedals (and having no time to unclip!), I suffered extensive injuries to my right leg and arm which required over 30 stitches, a broken wrist and also some muscle damage to my shoulder and back (for which I still get some discomfort). Since then, I have lost confidence in riding generally, but in particular I can't bring myself to ride clipless. Do you know of any clipless solution that doesn't really 'clip in' or one that is easy to use, but releases with the slightest excuse? At the moment I'm using a traditional bear trap type pedal with a plastic toe cage and not enjoying it so much!
Many thanks.
Admin makes this comment

Tuesday, 13 July 2010

Dave, that sounds like terrible bad luck - plenty of people have an accident when they start with clipless pedals (I fell over sideways because I forgot I was using them - nasty graze but nothing serious) but I never heard of such a serious accident because of them. I wish I had a great answer, unfortunately I don't. You could ask at your bike shop if there is any 'half way' solution but I can't think of one. I'm going to be nervous myself going uphill next time out now I've read your story!
Good luck, and let us know if you do find a good solution.
Adam makes this comment

Thursday, 22 July 2010

Great article, I'm a mountain biker looking to get into road riding and enjoying the site. I'm not sure how road clips differ to mtb clips but my thoughts on Dave would be to go back to your flats to get your confidence back and then try loosening your clips when you are ready; okay they may pop off the pedals every so often but that should act as a transition back to a tighter clip. Also just think every time you fall off it makes you a better rider as you know what -not- to do in that situation next time!
Natasha makes this comment

Friday, 13 August 2010

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article. As I road bike user everyday, making a 15mile journey daily I am looking into clipless pedels and I was getting very confused about the whole clipless pedels, bike shoes and cleats etc....espcially the whole why are they still called clipless when actually they're not....your article made sooo much sence and I found myself nodding along as I read saying to myself "I see now, that makes sense". Excellent article thank you for making a riding Medical Secretary very happy
Tobs M makes this comment

Wednesday, 25 August 2010

Hey, thank you for a great and informative article. I have just bought a road bike (specialized allez) and only have the cheap pedals which come with it. I plan to go on journey's no longer than 30 miles, but I also intend on going to the local shop etc... Therefore would clipless pedals be ideal or not? If not, is there an alternative? Looking at cycle shoes on the internet, some of them have an arched sole and some have a flat sole, which one is better? Thanks in advance, Tobs
Admin makes this comment

Thursday, 26 August 2010

A while ago someone told me they have pedals that are 'normal' on on side and clipless on the other but I can't remember what brand they were - they sound like just what you are looking for. if you find them - please come back here and let us know!
It is possible to cycle using normal trainers on the bottom side of Look type pedals and similar - although your feet might keep sliding off if it's wet out, which might be a bit dangerous (or painful). Definitely for short distances only but maybe OK if the shops are close!

Clipless pedals

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