Pros and cons of riding with clipless pedals

[@110markb]

Shimano are, I think, the only company that offers a multi release clip for your shoes. These are so much easier to get out of the pedals quickly, and I prefer them over the standard single release versions that sometimes comes with the pedal.

[@melesshuffle]

I went clipless after a run-in with a pair of red light-jumping black cabs on a dark, rainy night in the West End. As I tried to avoid them both feet slipped off the wet pedals and I was pretty much helpless. I was lucky - slammed into the first one sideways and bounced straight back into the other as he undertook us - the second collision actually keeping me upright. Anyway - once I'd calmed down a bit and finished wondering about the absorption qualities of cycling shorts I decided that clipless was the way to go. That would have been 2006 and I've never actually ridden a bike with flat pedals since.

[@kitpascoe]

Oh WOW. That sounds like one hell of a lucky escape. Really interesting that it spurred you to go clipless too, what a story! I'm glad you're still riding after that :-D

[@jonelliott5483]

I rode from the uk to Barcelona this summer in crocks comfy and great if it rains!

[@kitpascoe]

Haha, amazing. I love the practicality of this.

[@jonelliott5483]

@@kitpascoe I used to wear spd shoes but for bike touring mainly on roads and gravel tracks the crocks were comfy and so practical and no downsides 👍🏻

[@welshbikepackingadventures]

I use MTB flats myself, could never get on with clipless pedals. Great video popit! Best wishes from Wales

[@Tarzan1972]

Yea it surprises me how less people know about good anti slip pedals. Push your left leg to the back, right to the front and now you can even make you bike jump only with your pedals. Metal anti slip, the way to go.

[@dalj4362]

Totally agree with everything you said. People shouldn't feel like they have to do either. But I would say...at least give it a try if you haven't tried clipless.. Buy second-hand pedals and shoes to start with. Just in case it's not for you. When I switched to clipless, I was like, wow!! Loved the feeling of being connected with the bike. I also fell off a couple of times at the start, but I think that's just a rite of passage lol If anyone wants to try clipless, buy a set of Shimano M520 pedals. New or used. They are cheap as chips and probably one of the best spd pedals ever made for the price. I could never go back to flats.

[@Robbie..67]

Hi Kitiara, I had the same problem of my toes touching the front wheel because I have the cleats mid foot, I brought pedals with a longer axel to increase my Q factor which gave me clearance as my feet were out wider!

[@kitpascoe]

Oooo interesting! Thanks!

[@AyupStuggy]

You could try shorter cranks and that might give your toes enough clearance from the front wheel. I have a gravel bike, and for cycling shoes, use flats on one side, MTB clipless clips on the other. My cycling shoes have the cleats recessed in the sole so that I can walk around like with normal shoes without the clatter or awkwardness of the cleats protruding.

[@kitpascoe]

Good shout, I might look into changing the cranks. Thanks!

[@shivsnorman]

I love the feeling of riding clipless but after having a couple of occasions when I couldn't unclip in time and fell off it made me too nervous to use them 😢

[@kitpascoe]

Ugh, falling off while clipped in is so annoying, I feel for you and I've obviously been there (and am sure I will again at some point!). Keep practising though if you love riding clipless! Some types have a tensioner that you can loosen too, so it's much easier to unclip and then when you're really used to it you just tighten it up until it suits your new confidence. On the plus side, every cyclist who's ridden clipless can tell you a good story of falling off and looking like an idiot 😀

[@Tarzan1972]

I like my life, I don't use clipless pedals... 😂