Best Clipless Road Pedals for Beginner
Discussion
Just bought my wife her first road bike and looking for some advice on what pedals to get her. She has never really got on with the clipless pedals in the past and if she doesn't immediately 'click' with anything I fit on her road bike, then she'll refuse to use anything other than flats.
I have a spare set of Look Keo Max and could put these on the softest setting but I didn't like them on my bike and ended up changing them to carbon Blades, which I much prefer. So not sure this is the best idea. Had thought about a set of the Keo 'Easy' pedals but not sure they would offer much that my Max's wouldn't.
What would be the easiest pedal to clip in/out of and could be set nice and soft?
I have a spare set of Look Keo Max and could put these on the softest setting but I didn't like them on my bike and ended up changing them to carbon Blades, which I much prefer. So not sure this is the best idea. Had thought about a set of the Keo 'Easy' pedals but not sure they would offer much that my Max's wouldn't.
What would be the easiest pedal to clip in/out of and could be set nice and soft?
Nice and loose to start off with too.As TwistingMyMelon commeted above, I'd recommend Crank Brothers pedals. I've found them easier in the past than SPDs, although I used their Candy pedals, so there's a bit more of a platform if you don't immediately clip in. Less maintenance required than SPDs, and a more open design reduces clogging.
littleandy0410 said:
As TwistingMyMelon commeted above, I'd recommend Crank Brothers pedals. I've found them easier in the past than SPDs, although I used their Candy pedals, so there's a bit more of a platform if you don't immediately clip in. Less maintenance required than SPDs, and a more open design reduces clogging.
Yeah you take the lack of clogging for granted, jumped in a muddy field last week for a quick toilet break and then spent 5 minutes picking out all the mud on my SPDs as they would not engage!!! The EggB's would have clipped in and shred all the dirt off.Second standard SPDs, something like Shimano M520 SPD Pedals - for £18 you can't really go wrong.
Set them fairly loose and you can yank them out in a 'crisis' - gradually increase the tension setting as she gets used to them. You may find they pop out on climbs to begin with, but just make sure you have the right allen key with you for the first couple of rides.
Also - I think they come with the "Single release mode cleats" that only release by twisting your heel out, I find the "Multiple release mode cleats" (SM-SH56) much more forgiving - they are another £11.99 though.
Set them fairly loose and you can yank them out in a 'crisis' - gradually increase the tension setting as she gets used to them. You may find they pop out on climbs to begin with, but just make sure you have the right allen key with you for the first couple of rides.
Also - I think they come with the "Single release mode cleats" that only release by twisting your heel out, I find the "Multiple release mode cleats" (SM-SH56) much more forgiving - they are another £11.99 though.
TwistingMyMelon said:
Egg Beater MTB pedals, they were my first clipless pedals a few years ago, I used them on road for commuting. Took me 10 minutes to get used to them. They have 4 sides to clip into and I found are very good for people lacking confidence. Worth consideration imo.
I have Crank Bros pedals on my road bike and MTB and they are ace. Very easy to get in and more importantly out of. http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/PECBCA1-BLK/cr...
Get some MTB shoes rather than road shoes and you'll actually be able to walk in them. Something like DHB or Shimano http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-m10-mountain-bike-cycl...
anonymous said:
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The larger cleat is meant to reduce hot spots so better for longer riding time/distance. Road shoes typically have stiffer soles for better power transfer.It's all pretty marginal and practicalities normally decide which one you go for. i.e. how far you need to walk when you get off.
Also aesthetics for me. MTB pedals are for MTB.
TKF said:
The larger cleat is meant to reduce hot spots so better for longer riding time/distance. Road shoes typically have stiffer soles for better power transfer.
It's all pretty marginal and practicalities normally decide which one you go for. i.e. how far you need to walk when you get off.
Also aesthetics for me. MTB pedals are for MTB.
Do you actually believe the stiffness of a sole affects how much power your legs transfer through the pedals.It's all pretty marginal and practicalities normally decide which one you go for. i.e. how far you need to walk when you get off.
Also aesthetics for me. MTB pedals are for MTB.
I prefer SPD-SL in an ideal world as I find there is a bigger platform to push power down on. On the flip side, I run them quite tight and they are a PITA to clip into in traffic
I do find the stiffer soles of my road shoes are a lot better for power transfer than my not so stiff other shoes
Only really notice when really going for it in a sprint situation
I do find the stiffer soles of my road shoes are a lot better for power transfer than my not so stiff other shoes
Only really notice when really going for it in a sprint situation
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