ARE CLIPLESS PEDALS RIGHT FOR YOU?
We ask the questions that beginners are dealing with and get answers from the experts...
NICK LLOYD ACTING HEAD OF ROAD SAFETY ROSPA
“Cycling cleats – small triangular wedges attached into the sole of a cyclist’s shoe – connect into clipless pedals [so called due to their lack of toeclips]. To release the cleat, you twists your heel outwards (some allow you to unclip in any direction, other than straight up). Most clipless pedals also allow you to adjust the spring tension of the mechanism make to make it easier or harder engage and disengage your feet. Beginners tend to use the lightest setting at first, but once they get used to using their pedals, they’ll gradually increase the tension. Before you go out on to the road with clipless pedals, RoSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) advises you practise riding with them somewhere safe, such as a park, until you can confidently clip in and out. Clipless pedals hold your foot in the right place on the pedal, make cycling more efficient and prevent your feet slipping off of the pedals in wet weather. But be aware: incorrectly positioned cleats can cause knee pain – so seek advice from the retailer to get the right set up. There’s a widely held belief that the use of clipless pedals contributing to cyclist injuries through people failing to unclip in time, but research over the last two decades contradicts this.”
ROB WAKEFIELD LEVEL 3 COACH, TRAINING PEAKS LEVEL 2 CERTIFIED COACH
“Making the transition from flat pedals, with traditional toe clips and straps to clipless pedals with cleats is a big step. But is it worth it? I think that for any type of road riding, using cycling shoes with cleats is the best option. For starters, it’s more efficient, as you’ll recruit more of your leg muscles to drive the pedals through the complete pedal revolution. It’s also safer – riding while clipped in to a pedal means you’re more connected to the bike giving you greater control and helping you react quickly to conditions and obstacles. And it’s easier. Setting off from traffic lights trying to get your foot into a toe clip is tricky. With cleats, after a short learning period, you’ll be able to clip in without even looking down.”
“CLIPLESS PEDALS HOLD YOUR FOOT IN THE RIGHT PLACE ON THE PEDAL AND PREVENT THEM SLIPPING OFF IN THE WET”