The age-old debate in the cycling world rages on: flats or clipless? For years, I firmly planted my feet on flat pedals, a habit ingrained from my mountain biking days. The thought of being physically attached to my bike, unable to bail out in a split second, sent shivers down my spine. But lately, my knee has been singing a different tune on longer rides, hinting that a change might be in order.
So, I've taken the plunge, venturing into the world of clipless pedals. It wasn't an easy decision, but hey – seemingly the whole cycling universe operates this way, so let's clip in and see what all the fuss is about.
Diving into the Clipless Deep End: My Beginner Setup
If you're teetering on the edge of making the switch yourself, here’s the gear I opted for as a clipless newbie.
Pedals: Shimano M520 SPD Pedals
It’s practically cycling gospel that these are a fantastic starting point. My research consistently pointed to the Shimano M520s as the go-to for anyone dipping their toes into the clipless world, especially for gravel and mountain biking. They’re renowned for their reliability and ease of entry/exit (once you get the hang of it!). You can find them here.
Shimano M520 SPD and Bontrager GR2. Highly recommended!
Shoes: Bontrager GR2
The reviews for these shoes were overwhelmingly positive, and for good reason. A key feature that appealed to me was the recessed cleats. This offers a significant advantage for gravel riders who often find themselves off the bike, whether navigating tricky sections or enjoying a post-ride coffee. They promise a good balance of lightweight feel, water resistance for those unpredictable gravel adventures, and crucially for a beginner like me, a degree of flexibility that isn't overly stiff. This supposedly makes the learning curve a little less… abrupt.
First Impressions: A Wobbly Start
My inaugural ride with the new setup was, to put it mildly, weird. The initial cleat adjustments were clearly off, and the pedals felt like they had a vice-like grip on my shoes. This resulted in a comical (in hindsight) two unplanned dismounts onto soft grass and a less-than-graceful collision with my garage door. But I’m not one to be easily deterred by a few clumsy moments.
After some more fiddling with the cleat positioning, something clicked (pun intended!). By my third ride, a sense of control and connection started to emerge. The difference in how my leg muscles were engaging was genuinely surprising. It wasn't just about the upward pull I’d heard about; it was the more complete, circular motion that felt more efficient. And the biggest revelation? Riding on uneven, bumpy gravel. The grip and control offered by being clipped in were in a different league compared to the occasional foot slippage I experienced with flats.
200 Miles Down the Line: My Clipless Verdict
Now, with around 200 miles of clipped-in adventures under my belt, am I a clipless convert for life? Well, if you're expecting a resounding "yes" and a declaration that I'll never touch a flat pedal again, you're in for a surprise. Here's my current take:
1. Clipless isn't a universal must-have. Full stop. The cycling world is diverse, and what works wonders for one rider might be unnecessary or even detrimental for another.
2. Clipless might be your best choice if you frequently find yourself:
- Riding predominantly on paved roads: The efficiency gains are often more noticeable on smoother surfaces.
- Tackling gravel that leans towards graded tracks rather than technical singletrack: The added connection provides stability without the constant need for quick disengagements.
- Not needing to stop and start frequently on your rides: Think long, uninterrupted stretches of road or trail, rather than rides punctuated by gates, traffic lights, or tricky obstacles.
- Not needing to hike, walk, or use your cycling shoes for off-bike activities during your trips: While some shoes have recessed cleats, they're still not as comfortable or practical for extended walking as dedicated hiking shoes.
- Using your bike primarily for dedicated rides: If your bike doubles as your quick trip to the shop where flip-flops are the footwear of choice, constantly swapping shoes might become a hassle.
3. The beauty of choice: You can have the best of both worlds. Even if you only own one bike, remember that swapping pedals is a surprisingly quick and easy task – maybe a 5-minute job once you're familiar with it. This means you can easily switch between clipless for those longer, more focused rides and flats for more casual spins or when you anticipate more off-bike activity.