Cleats/pedals - least scary!

[ChippyTea16]

Hello all, I will be doing a long (5 day) cycle in May and have been advised to switch my normal pedals for cleats.

Does anyone have any they recommend that you can easily clip in and out of? I’ve never used them and will need to get some soon to practice but I’m scared... not sure why, just feel panicky at the thought of stopping and not being able to unclip!

Any advice would be much appreciated! I know I just need to get on with it and get out and practice...

Personally, I love my mountain bike cleats even on ny road bike. They're easier to unclip from than road bike ones (a hard yank up will do it in an emergency). I suspect they are a little less efficient though.

Same as that. I borrowed proper cleats from someone and spent a weekend practicing...and couldn't get the hang of them. I even spent time on a static bike with them. But mountain bike cleats are fine and the shoes are much easier to walk in. I am very clumsy though.

Try mountain bike shoes with the double sided spd pedals at first - that way you can have one foot clipped in until you are confident and they are easier to unclip from. MTB shoes/cleats aren't quite as energy efficient as SPD SL, but much better than not being clipped in at all.
Its what we all did in this house, and I still have dual sided pedals on my hybrid bike as they are so convenient

Yes, double sided with mountain bike cleats (you can walk in them!) Make sure they are set fairly loose at first, so easy to clip out. It is fine once you get the knack and is so much better than no cleats. Do be prepared for a bit of falling over at first though - I once took out a whole line of stopped cyclists (don't let that put you off though - mine were too tight!). Best of luck on the ride.

2 bolt mountain bike cleats are easy to get in and out of. The pedals are double sided which makes it simpler. And because the cleats are recessed into the soles of mtb shoes its easier to walk in them too.However, personally I wouldn't want to use them for a very long ride. The area of contact between your foot and the pedal is quite small and this can lead to "hot spots" on the soles of your feet. I have mtb pedals on my winter road bike as they shed mud much better than road pedals but I find my feet getting uncomfortable after about 30 miles.
Road shoes and 3 bolt cleats have a bigger contact patch and are therefore generally more comfortable. But they are a bit trickier to get used to. If you buy road cleats make sure you get the ones with the most "float" - the yellow ones if you get Shimano, I'm not sure about other brands.
Though to be honest, I would advise against getting anything new for a big ride. Its often better to stick with what works for you. If you really want cleats get them now and do as much practice as possible between now and the ride, but if you're not comfortable with them don't feel pressured to do it. Another option to consider is flat mtb shoes and pinned pedals. The sole of the shoes is sort a bit sticky and the little pins on the pedal stick in. You don't get quite the same feel as with cleats but they are better than trainers as the soles are stiffer and your foot is less likely to slip off the pedals.
Good luck with your ride.

Wow thank you all for the responses and the very useful information! This is great, going to look at mountain bike shoes and pedals asap. My husband is a cyclist so he will know what to look for too (but wanted to ask from a female perspective too). The ride will be flat and about 6/7 hours per day so while not strenuous, will be long. Def planning to get out riding a lot from this week now the weather is better.

Thank you all again, much appreciated

When I started, I only changed one pedal to cleats for the first couple of weeks until I was used to it with that foot.

Speedplay pedals are also double-sided and easy to use. They also have light-action ones, designed for people who weigh under 65kg (I think that's the weight).

Also, if you don't get used to cleats, don't worry. I spent 3 weeks cycling across a mountainous country with DH and a friend. The friend has always been a keen cyclist but refuses to use cleats, preferring old-fashioned toe clips (little cages on pedals). He was fine cycling from 9-6 every day like that, because it was what he was used to.

If you do go for shimano MTB cleats get the multiple release version which are easier to get out of. Model no is SM-SH56

Friend has Speedplay. For "better knee float" and more lightweight than SPDs.
Horribly expensive (she says).
She reckons she shouldn't walk hardly at all in them, so delicate.
I wasn't impressed... But maybe makes sense for 6-7 hours/day in saddle.

I hope your knees hold up well on your big ride.

I don't know what MTB cleats are. I use SPDs ("Shimano Pedaling Dynamics") because they are durable, simple, relatively inexpensive & universal. It is possible to adjust them so they are very 'light' (quick) to clip in and out. With Double sided pedals for sure.

I prefer SPDs over toe cages because cages slow you down getting foot to ground.

All Shimano cleat/pedal systems are "SPD" lljkk but there are mountain bike (2 bolt) and road (3 bolt) versions. Technically the road versions are SPD-SL (super light) but most people just refer to them all as SPDs. If you're using double sided pedals you've probably got the MTB type.
I agree with you - I wouldn't recommend speedplay pedals for a beginner. As you say they are very expensive and difficult to walk in, though you can get cleat covers for them. They're also not directly compatible with most cycling shoes so you have to fit an adapter plate which is a bit of additional faff.
It's true that they do have a bigger range of float than any other cleat/pedal combination but as to whether that's "better" is debatable and very personal to the rider. The most you can get with a Shimano cleat is 6 degrees. I've a feeling Look do an 8o version, but off the top of my head I think speedplay can be adjusted up to about 15o. Most people with reasonably normal biomechanics won't need that range of float though and the weight saving is neither here nor there for most of us mere mortals!
In the OP's shoes (pardon the pun!) I'd go for something simple and cheap to start with.

I'm in the same situation, so this is very useful.
But - do I need to change my pedals?

@MaMaLa321

I'm in the same situation, so this is very useful. But - do I need to change my pedals?

Yes - particular cleats are only compatible with particular pedals so you need to make sure you get the right ones. There are loads of different designs but commonly mountain bike shoe cleats have 2 bolts and ho on pedals like this: www.tredz.co.uk/.Shimano-M520-SPD-Clipless-MTB-Pedals_1887.htm?sku=10337&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjwgZuDBhBTEiwAXNofRGrEEtM3aN8hAtz-jquuqKaBWX6t2hb-GiaQ5PnuN1PlnGbGYApH5BoCSsMQAvD_BwE And road bike cleats have 3 bolts and fit pedaks like this: www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-105-r7000-carbon-pedals?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&sku=100633930&kpid=100633930&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Shopping+-+All+Products&utm_medium=base&gclid=CjwKCAjwgZuDBhBTEiwAXNofRFHF827Yrd4RzT2T9eYIxrZEOxrMcFg5-W_i-hfKRufIaWJQ3sO3_BoCyzUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Sorry for the massive links - I don't know how to make them smaller! It usually says on the box of pedals what cleats they will accept but if doubt, ask in the shop.

I can't really help as I"m a beginner cyclist, but I do keep getting adverts for a type of magnetic clip pedal that sound kind of interesting - might be worth looking into further. Apparently it provides the advantages of clips in that it keeps your foot in the right place etc, but doesn't give any advantage of 'pulling up' (but the advert claims that the research shows that really isn't an advantage anyway), and because it's a magentic system, you can immediately pull your foot off when you stop. That bit kind of appealed to me, but the fact that you still had to wear special shoes didn't, and especially not at my level. But if I were going to take it more seriously and go on a longer cycle, maybe I'd look into it - I liked the idea that you could get out of them as easily as normal pedals. I think they were called byklon or something similar. It's facebook that always advertises them to me just because I've bought other bike things I think! I'd be curious if anyone tries them.

thank you both.

And be aware that they are adjustable. So you can start off with them set super loose and easy to get out of and the make them tighter (and so more efficient) as you gain in confidence.

Definitely cleats. I’ve done many multi day tours in SPDs with absolutely no problems. I’ve only fallen over once, and that was because I stopped beside a gutter that I didn’t realise was there in Morocco, and fell in! I’ve never not been able to clip out. For some reason I can only use SPD-SLs on the velodrome track though but so think that’s a mental thing.

Bit of a tip - when you start out, clip in with your mounting foot before you pedal off, pedal a couple of revolutions and just press your free foot in then. When coming up to something like a red traffic light, clip out and pedal with one foot in as you approach the lights - it takes away the fear you might get at first. Soon it will be second nature - flat pedals feel weird to me now.

This is really useful.

I started cycling on a road bike last year, fell on my first ride when I couldn't unclip and have been petrified of doing it again so carried on all summer wearing trainers with my clip in pedals - not ideal.

Need to get my bike out again now the weather is better but the fear is ridiculous! I need to conquer it or give up and put flat pedals on.

I get so cross when I see every other cyclist clipping in and out with ease!

@VivaVegas I was you a few years ago.
Loosening the clips made a huge difference. And getting into a routine of unclipping just your standing leg as you come into any junction.
I started off super cautious unclipping that foot for every junction and through built up areas until I grained confidence.

I had not heard of "3 bolt SPD" pedals before this thread... ok, I Iie, MNers tried to explain it to me before but I didn't get it. I'm not going to remember this time, either, tbh. "2 bolt" (*) is only type I've ever encountered irl. I suspect that's because they are extremely common which means great variety in product choice. Easiest to walk in when off bike, too.

(*) took me a while to figure out why 2 or 3 or what 'bolts' people were referring to

Hi, just thought I would report back in case anyone finds it useful.
I've just had shimono mountain bike cleat pedals fitted (double sided) and bought the shoes. I have wide feet, so went for men's.
I used Trekbikes, who were very helpful.
So, what with inner soles and socks, have paid about £170.
I really needed to move on from just cycling in trainers, as my feet would move around all over the place.
Anyway, after a bit of riding, I can see that I will find them useful. But I unfortunately fell off when I was practicing in my road. Luckily the only thing that was injured was my dignity but I am worried about it happening again.
Does it get less likely (I hope so)?

Yes, you will get better with practice MaMaLa321
At the beginning, try to anticipate when you're going to need to put your foot down and clip out early - when you're approaching junctions etc. But soon it will become second nature.
There aren't many cyclists who haven't had an embarrassing failure to clip out incident at some point so you are in good company!

Did you have an audience for your unclipping failure?
I predictably had mine in front of DH. Didn't hear then end of it for a very long time.

I think I might have claim to one of the most embarrassing unclipping fails of all time ShinyHatStand
It was on the iconic Koppenberg cobbled climb in Belgium, which of course always tends to have plenty of people riding up it. I was on a new bike (the pedals were pretty tight....that's my excuse and I am sticking to it!) As I approached the steepest section I started losing traction on the cobbles, couldn't get my foot out and gracelessly toppled over sideways. Worse than that, my feet still didn't unclip, so I was lying on my back like an upturned turtle, on cobbles with a 22% gradient, unable to extricate myself from my bike until a kind passerby stopped and helped me get a foot out. Of course there was no chance of getting started again at that point so I had to do the walk of shame up to the top. All very embarrassing.