Cleats - Are they worth it?

ChristyM

Hi

I recently bought a Giant Defy 3 on the cycle to work scheme. I am planning on doing the Dingle Adventure Race in June which involves a cycle over Conor Pass. I am wondering if buying cleats is worth it. Will they make much of a difference?

Thanks

Christy

TinyExplosions

Yes

Hail 2 Da Thief

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md_8WJzhsow

petethedrummer

All the pros wear them (and all the amateurs).

650Ginge

They are.....and you wont ride even to the shop without them after you try them.

Alanstrainor

650Ginge wrote: »

They are.....and you wont ride even to the shop without them after you try them.

Interesting. I've been debating whether to get them for a while....maybe now's the time!

Ardennes1944

how do you know which cleats/shoes you can mix and match with though?

**Timbuk2**

Deutschlandfürimmer7 wrote: »

how do you know which cleats/shoes you can mix and match with though?

Generally, mountain bike cleats use two holes, and road cleats use three holes (in a large triangular fashion). MTB cleats are used with MTB shoes, which often have a recessed cleat holding, so you don't walk on the cleat while you are walking. Road cleats are much bigger (but have a bigger power transfer) and are not recessed.

It's possible to get shoes that has both MTB and Road Cleat holdings, but these aren't preferable if you are going MTB, because the cleat holdings aren't recessed, so you aren't getting the benefit of being able to walk normally (you can still walk with protruding cleats, but it's harder, and can wear out the cleat a bit faster than if it was recessed).

It's not always as simple as this, so if you have any particular pedals/shoes in mind, post on the cycling forum and somebody will know straight away if they are compatible.

Here's an image of a guy with MTB cleats in his shoe. Note how they aren't protruding, and how small they are


Very simply (SPD are a type of MTB pedal, Look and Time are road pedals. There are other types, these are common ones - SPD-SL is a type of road pedal not shown below - it has a very similar set-up to Looks)

Remember, don't worry too much about the type of cleat - you don't buy those separately, they come with the pedals. You just need to make sure that whatever shoe you get has the holdings for the cleat that your pedal uses. Road shoes generally support road cleats (and sometimes MTB as well), whereas MTB shoes will just support MTB. Road shoes are stiffer than MTB shoes also, but generally both are stiffer than normal runners/trainers.

And to answer the OP's question - yes, clipless pedals do make a difference! I love them!

Ardennes1944

thank you sir! much obliged

blorg

They are well worth it. For all uses outside actual road racing I think a MTB system is preferable- if for use on the road you can get MTB racing shoes with very stiff soles. Far easier to get clipped in/out and you can walk in the shoes. Road racing (racing, not sportives) a road system gives a more secure/firm connection so you won't clip out accidentally in a sprint.

corblimey

blorg wrote: »

They are well worth it. For all uses outside actual road racing I think a MTB system is preferable- if for use on the road you can get MTB racing shoes with very stiff soles. Far easier to get clipped in/out and you can walk in the shoes. Road racing (racing, not sportives) a road system gives a more secure/firm connection so you won't clip out accidentally in a sprint.

That's interesting. Are you advocating the use of MTB shoes for everything except road racing? I've never heard of this before, and assumed that because I own a road bike, I need road cleats, no matter if I plan on only doing quick spins around my house or entering the Giro D'Italia.

blorg

corblimey wrote: »

Are you advocating the use of MTB shoes for everything except road racing?

Yes, for everything except road or track racing. And certainly for beginners SPDs are better. I use them on most of my bikes with a road system (Time RXS) only on my racing bikes (road and track.)

But it is personal preference... if you are going for long spins and will not be stopping or doing any walking at all off the bike, a road system can be fine. Lots of people use SPDs on road bikes though and they work fine.

ednwireland

this should make you want sidi's ! :eek:

cormie

I tried them for a while and didn't like them at all, just wasn't comfortable with them for my style of cycling and was always conscious of them, especially in the city with traffic lights and pedestrians jumping out etc. Couldn't enjoy cycling as much as without them was the main thing.

I'm still not sure what the main goal they are supposed to serve is? They allow for uninterrupted rotations, get you there quicker, more distributed leg muscle use?

Inquitus

I have these BBB SPD Mountain Biking pedals:



can I use them with say these Shimano SPD road shoes? or are there seperate SPD systems for road and mountain?

Thanks,

Inq

smacl

I didn't like them much starting out either, mainly nervousness in terms of getting out of them in a hurry, sudden stops etc... For this reason, I ended up with multi-release MTB cleats (twisting you foot either direction releases the cleat) on pedals with one flat side, so I can cycle either with or without cleats without changing the pedals. They can be a bit more finicky to get clipped into, as you sometimes have to spin the pedal over to get the cleated side, but apart from that they are a great beginners system. You can also set them quite loose to start off with, and then adjust once you get used to them.

At this stage I feel way more comfortable with them then without, particularly on downhills, no idea why. That said, I've done longish spins (>120k) without them in the past with no troubles, so if you don't fancy them, don't bother. If most of my cycling was stop start in towns, I wouldn't use the cleats. For the countryside, they're great.

Lumen

cormie wrote: »

I tried them for a while and didn't like them at all, just wasn't comfortable with them for my style of cycling and was always conscious of them, especially in the city with traffic lights and pedestrians jumping out etc. Couldn't enjoy cycling as much as without them was the main thing.

I'm still not sure what the main goal they are supposed to serve is? They allow for uninterrupted rotations, get you there quicker, more distributed leg muscle use?

Cleats just feel better, and work better, for most people. Your foot is directly connected and held in a consistent position; this makes it easier to get a smooth pedal stroke. For cycling around town there are obviously other factors which may be more important (I commute in road cleats, so I wouldn't be too bothered by impracticality).

ChristyM

Hi Lads

Thanks for all the posts. I do very little around town and in traffic it is mainly on the open road so I must look into cleats.

What is a reasonable price for the pedals and shoes. I'd imagine you can go up into huge sums but for someone like me what should I pay to get something half decent that won't fall apart after a few weeks.

Thanks

Christy

doozerie

Another factor to consider is your ability to control the bike. You are better able to control the bike with your feet firmly on the pedals. Many people are more than capable of manipulating their bike with no mechanical means of attachment between feet and pedals (e.g. BMXers, some mountain bikers), many others are not. If you fall into the latter category, finding that your feet have a tendency so slip off or lose the pedals at times, then being clipped in may offer you significant advantages when you have to control your bike in an emergency.

Toe clips and straps are another alternative if you are not happy with being clipped in but while some people psychologically feel "safer" using toe clips and straps they are actually more tricky to release your feet from in certain circumstances so they have disadvantages too.

DirkVoodoo

It's hard to beat the Shimano M520 pedal: Solid and cheap. Double-sided.

Shoes are shoes, you buy whichever ones are most comfortable and within your budget. Go to a few shops and try on a few, make sure they are "SPD compatible". Whether or not they have a recessed cleat attachment is up to you and how much walking you intend doing off the bike. I always bring a pair of regular shoes with me and swap over when I get off the bike.

instinct

invested in those pedals above and these shoes a couple of weeks back.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=55373

there are even cheaper again - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=46577

Have cycled for long time in normal trainers and instantly fell in love with this setu. Have yet to try them them on trail but on the road they are very nice.

The tension can be adjusted on the pedals to make clipping in and out easier but these pedals came with perfect setup for me.

The above came in at just €100 and I dont regret it atall. Im actually buying another set of pedals so both bikes have them and Im not swapping them and forth.

tomasrojo

I usually follow Thoreau's words: "I say beware of all enterprises that require new clothes."

So I just went for pedals that worked with what I was already habitually wearing, which were rubber-soled shoes. I got BMX-style pedals with the pins. You get pretty good grip, and some ability to get purchase on the upstroke.

Rather short-sighted of me, I'm sure, but I'm not very adventurous. I defer with good grace to all the more knowledgeable above.

DirkVoodoo

tomasrojo wrote: »

So I just went for pedals that worked with what I was already habitually wearing, which were rubber-soled shoes. I got BMX-style pedals with the pins. You get pretty good grip, and some ability to get purchase on the upstroke.

And some lovely scars on your shins when something slips.

I just don't like the lack of connection with regular flat pedals, the last time I used them my feet were incredibly sore afterwards as they had too many opportunities to move around and I found myself pedaling rather awkwardly (although apparently I do this with clipless pedals anyway).

tomasrojo

I did get a few belts once or twice, but nothing in years. No scars anyway!

el tel

If you want to get cleats & pedals for an event in June do it as soon as you can so you get used to them in good time. It can take a while to get au fait with them and probably not best to be using them for the first time in the heels of the hunt.

offtopic - no matter what the evidence says, I have always felt personally that nothing *feels* better then toe clips and straps when it comes to climbing. Pulling up against toeclips felt so right, with clipless pedals it just feels less effective. Ahhh, the good old days. (Nostalgia isn't what it used to be)

petethedrummer

There should be a big list of things you are eventually going to surrender to while owning a road bike despite your initial scepticism.

Wearing tight lycra,
Using Clipless pedals,
Buying white shoes,
Shaving your legs (haven't gone this far myself).

OP you're eventually going to do all these things, so you might as well submit now.

Reggy

petethedrummer wrote: »

There should be a big list of things you are eventually going to surrender to while owning a road bike despite your initial scepticism.

Wearing tight lycra,
Using Clipless pedals,
Buying white shoes,
Shaving your legs (haven't gone this far myself).

OP you're eventually going to do all these things, so you might as well submit now.

i totally agree, first step was just some padded lycra shorts, then a lycra top, spending nearly a months wages on gear that turned me into a human impression of a condom. question is though: why the need for WHITE shoes? i wear black shoes but no doubt white would make me look alot sharper (plus my bike is white). also, the shaving legs thing? surely this is just for pros and not a slow coach like me?

tomasrojo

petethedrummer wrote: »

There should be a big list of things you are eventually going to surrender to while owning a road bike despite your initial scepticism.

Wearing tight lycra,
Using Clipless pedals,
Buying white shoes,
Shaving your legs (haven't gone this far myself).

OP you're eventually going to do all these things, so you might as well submit now.

My progress has been somewhat different.

I ended up buying a trailer and making my own mudflaps out of Avonmore Easy-Pour jugs.

I'm a one-man trend.

(Though I have a touring bike, so in the strictest sense, that doesn't count as a road bike, I suppose.)

DirkVoodoo

Reggy wrote: »

i totally agree, first step was just some padded lycra shorts, then a lycra top, spending nearly a months wages on gear that turned me into a human impression of a condom. question is though: why the need for WHITE shoes? i wear black shoes but no doubt white would make me look alot sharper (plus my bike is white). also, the shaving legs thing? surely this is just for pros and not a slow coach like me?

Nothing to do with aerodynamics. It just looks better. Also, IF you do happen to fall off (which will probably happen sooner or later, it's part of the sport), cleaning and bandage removal are a piece of cake.

Oh, one more thing, yellow is the new white. Keep up!

Lumen

Reggy wrote: »

also, the shaving legs thing? surely this is just for pros and not a slow coach like me?

It makes the results of a crash a little easier to deal with, it feels good and it looks better (on the bike at least).

Hail 2 Da Thief

petethedrummer wrote: »

Wearing tight lycra, Done
Using Clipless pedals, Done
Buying white shoes, Probably will do
Shaving your legs (haven't gone this far myself). Never!

...

on_the_nickel

"Once you go cleats, you never retreat".

Or words to that effect.

Lumen

tomasrojo wrote: »

My progress has been somewhat different.

I ended up buying a trailer and making my own mudflaps out of Avonmore Easy-Pour jugs.

I'm a one-man trend.

tomasrojo

How right you are, Lumen!

petethedrummer

tomasrojo wrote: »

My progress has been somewhat different.

I ended up buying a trailer and making my own mudflaps out of Avonmore Easy-Pour jugs.

I'm a one-man trend.

(Though I have a touring bike, so in the strictest sense, that doesn't count as a road bike, I suppose.)

Well to behonest my cycling personality is split. That was my road cycling self I was reffering to above. My utlility cycling self is about to diverge wildly with my upcoming purchase of a touring bike.

petethedrummer

Reggy wrote: »

why the need for WHITE shoes?

I don't know. I really don't know, but I have them now.

Idleater

petethedrummer wrote: »

Wearing tight lycra,
Using Clipless pedals,
Buying white shoes,
Shaving your legs (haven't gone this far myself).

Check;
Check;
Check;

I don't like where this is going. I'll have to see how I maintain the whiteness of the shoes.

DirkVoodoo wrote:

Oh, one more thing, yellow is the new white. Keep up!

I liked the comfort of the mavics but I'm not gone on the yellow. I'm going to go there and say that green (accents) are the new yellow.

tomasrojo

petethedrummer wrote: »

My utlility cycling self is about to diverge wildly with my upcoming purchase of a touring bike.

Which one are you thinking of getting? (If it isn't pulling this off-topic too much.)

petethedrummer

tomasrojo wrote: »

Which one are you thinking of getting? (If it isn't pulling this off-topic too much.)

No decision made. I have 4 weeks off work soon, so that's going to be spent mulling over my options.

tomasrojo

Yes, four weeks of full-time pondering sounds nice!

TinyExplosions

Interestingly enough, I'm getting a touring bike too... maybe touring is the new saturday spins

tomasrojo

You mark my words, it'll be all Avonmore mudflaps and trailers here next year.

Canis Lupus

My Thorn Sherpa arrives tomorrow!! My crappy Claude Butler road bike is in such a bad way I can't sell it so I'm leaving it out the front tonight and seeing if it makes it through to the morning. My flatmates are placing bets.

dave2pvd

Lumen wrote: »

It makes the results of a crash a little easier to deal with, it feels good and it looks better (on the bike at least).

Totally agree with the post-crash reasoning. Both for cleaning and dressing (and re-dressing and re-dressing) the wounds. IMO, if you race on the road, you need to shave.

I recently had a fairly serious crash in a race. The days in hospital that followed had me wishing I had shaved my arms too. Would have made for much easier IV replacement. Maybe those tri-geeks are on to something?

cormie

I might put my shoes and pedals up here soon enough actually!

blorg

I have had plenty of crashes with some very severe road rash. Yes it would be slightly easier without leg hair but it is far from a necessity to shave.

ChristyM

Thanks for all the advice, I was in te LBS today and I am getting cleats later this week, hopefully I won't have too many falls with them.

Hail 2 Da Thief

ChristyM wrote: »

hopefully I won't have too many falls with them.

You'll get used to them pretty quickly tbh. Just hope that nobody sees you if you have a slow fall :pac:

dave.obrien

But at least after this meandering thread you'll know that if you do fall, it's handy (though not necessary) to have shaved your legs in advance, and that at least you didn't have a heavy weight touring bike come down on top of you, potentially with 5 or 6 other lads on touring bikes ploughing into the back of you...

So good luck with your new shoes I guess is the gist of what I'm saying here.

dave2pvd

blorg wrote: »

I have had plenty of crashes with some very severe road rash. Yes it would be slightly easier without leg hair but it is far from a necessity to shave.

Well, perhaps the ideal solution is only to shave the day before you're going to have a crash

Donie75

Sorry to hijack the thread but can anyone tell me if Shimano pedals are okay? I was in a bike shop recently and the guy said that Shimano were not very good and he said i should buy Look Keo Easy pedals instead.
I was looking at the Shimano R540 or 105 SL.