Clipless pedals and hill starts...

[Postapocalypsia]

Hi folks,
I have recently tried clipless pedals on my Q559 and have found it to be less intimidating than I imagined. They are Crank Bros Candy C pedals that I had used on my hybrid DF bike. While I am happy with them, I was wondering if anyone had an opinion on clipless pedal choice, as these don’t seem to have any adjustment and I would like the option of (very) quick and easy clip-out for riding in traffic. I know there are some that have platform on one side and cleat on the other but my knowledge and experience of these is scant. Any advice would be welcome!
Also, I was looking for some video footage of anyone demonstrating Cruzbike hill starts. I can manage them ok generally on a quiet street, where I anticipate my take-off gear and position the cranks just-so, but when I am at a roundabout or traffic lights where there are cars to compete with, it is a whole different ball game. I know practice and experience are the answer here but I would love to see some footage of an experienced rider doing the business just to compare notes.

 

[jond]

Hi folks,
I have recently tried clipless pedals on my Q559 and have found it to be less intimidating than I imagined. They are Crank Bros Candy C pedals that I had used on my hybrid DF bike. While I am happy with them, I was wondering if anyone had an opinion on clipless pedal choice, as these don’t seem to have any adjustment and I would like the option of (very) quick and easy clip-out for riding in traffic. I know there are some that have platform on one side and cleat on the other but my knowledge and experience of these is scant. Any advice would be welcome!
Also, I was looking for some video footage of anyone demonstrating Cruzbike hill starts. I can manage them ok generally on a quiet street, where I anticipate my take-off gear and position the cranks just-so, but when I am at a roundabout or traffic lights where there are cars to compete with, it is a whole different ball game. I know practice and experience are the answer here but I would love to see some footage of an experienced rider doing the business just to compare notes.

Shimano SPD have adjustment. That’s all I’ve used. Shimano are reliable.

 

[paco1961]

Hi folks,
I have recently tried clipless pedals on my Q559 and have found it to be less intimidating than I imagined. They are Crank Bros Candy C pedals that I had used on my hybrid DF bike. While I am happy with them, I was wondering if anyone had an opinion on clipless pedal choice, as these don’t seem to have any adjustment and I would like the option of (very) quick and easy clip-out for riding in traffic. I know there are some that have platform on one side and cleat on the other but my knowledge and experience of these is scant. Any advice would be welcome!
Also, I was looking for some video footage of anyone demonstrating Cruzbike hill starts. I can manage them ok generally on a quiet street, where I anticipate my take-off gear and position the cranks just-so, but when I am at a roundabout or traffic lights where there are cars to compete with, it is a whole different ball game. I know practice and experience are the answer here but I would love to see some footage of an experienced rider doing the business just to compare notes.

Shimano XT 8020 is an excellent option for casual riding. And they are mtb pedals which means you can actually walk semi-normally at store stops.


Same mech on both sides. Provides a nice platform and lots of support. Lots of tension adjustment and I keep mine dialed down to the lowest tension. As for starting on hills I find the Fred Flintstone works best. Start off standing, take a few steps then coast and slide down into the seat as you find the pedals. On uphill and crowded starts I like to get a few pedal revolutions down the road before I push in for the click.

If I’m out for speed or ultra distance where I’m trying to shave every gram I switch to standard Ultegra SPD road shoes and pedals.

 

[cpml123]

I use Speedplay Frog with @ratz mod. Lots of float in both clock and counter clock directions. Really like it.

 

[Mathew Fy]

The easiest for me to clip in an out are Speedplay Frogs.

 

[Pollock]

Shimano has another pedal with clip on one side and flat on the other. I think it is something like A520 or A530. That was actually my first clipless pedal on a SWB. Many times, I would start on the flat pedal then flip them after getting a bit of speed. Yes it slowed me, but helped me not worry about starts.

 

[tiltmaniac]

I've never used something other than my (mtb) spd.
Being able to walk/put a foot down while out there on a ride is very important to me. I've fallen over completely on Look's cleats in the early 2000s as the plastic protruding bottom and smooth pavement acted a lot like ice.

The shoe matters here-- I want my recessed cleat and so I use MTB shoes.

I'd guess that frogs and some of the other alternatives (eggbeaters if they're still out there) are about as good, so long as you have the recessed cleat, but, dunno for real.

 

[castlerobber]

I would like the option of (very) quick and easy clip-out for riding in traffic. I know there are some that have platform on one side and cleat on the other

Shimano PD-M324. I have them on both my Cruzbikes, set to the easiest possible clip-out. Have never had unintentional clip-out. I use the single-release cleats rather than the multi-release.

 

[Mathew Fy]

My problem with SPD and similar Mtb pedals is the cleats tend to loosen and then rotate on my shoes, making pull-out challenging. Keeping the cleats from loosening requires re-tightening the screws occasionally.

As for hill starts, I recommend lots of practice starting with one foot clicked in. I favor my left foot for some reason, and like low-medium gear. After you get comfortable on the flats practice on some slopes. Flintstone starts won’t help you much up hill.

 

[tiltmaniac]

My problem with SPD and similar Mtb pedals is the cleats tend to loosen and then rotate on my shoes, making pull-out challenging. Keeping the cleats from loosening requires re-tightening the screws occasionally.

As for hill starts, I recommend lots of practice starting with one foot clicked in. I favor my left foot for some reason, and like low-medium gear. After you get comfortable on the flats practice on some slopes. Flintstone starts won’t help you much up hill.

I've never had that problem, ever.
Are you using (blue) threadlock on the screws?

 

[Mathew Fy]

I think the shoe plastic deforms after some use. Eventually the cleat needs to be made tighter. This may be an issue with Sidi Mega, the only kind that fit my wide feet well.

 

[paco1961]

My problem with SPD and similar Mtb pedals is the cleats tend to loosen and then rotate on my shoes, making pull-out challenging. Keeping the cleats from loosening requires re-tightening the screws occasionally.

As for hill starts, I recommend lots of practice starting with one foot clicked in. I favor my left foot for some reason, and like low-medium gear. After you get comfortable on the flats practice on some slopes. Flintstone starts won’t help you much up hill.

Actually, the Flintstone is how I start most often, flat, downhill and up.

 

[Postapocalypsia]

Thank you all for your feedback, much appreciated! From the info given I think I like the idea of having the both cleat and platform. The Shimano PD-M324 option is looking good.
As for hill starts, I will just practice and experiment. I had been looking for clips on riding technique and it struck me that there were none to be found on hill starts. I had a few instances where I had to think quick at roundabouts to take my right of way while coping with slippage, balance or gear choice. In the end I would rather wave a car on and wait than wobble or slip in front of them. I am old enough now to not let looking cool take priority over getting home in one piece!

 

[paco1961]

Checking the ego at the door is the key to learning anything new . . . especially when it comes to learning to ride a CB! Ride safe and enjoy.

 

[onmyback]

My problem with SPD and similar Mtb pedals is the cleats tend to loosen and then rotate on my shoes, making pull-out challenging. Keeping the cleats from loosening requires re-tightening the screws occasionally.

As for hill starts, I recommend lots of practice starting with one foot clicked in. I favor my left foot for some reason, and like low-medium gear. After you get comfortable on the flats practice on some slopes. Flintstone starts won’t help you much up hill.

I've been using SPD for about 12 years, of nearly daily riding and never had the cleat come loose from a shoe (several brands and styles). I did once need to drill out rusted screws, in order to change cleats. I think you're right, that it may be specific to your shoes.

 

[Doug Kline]

I have Eggbeaters on my whole range of bikes. Fast in, fast out. I've never had a problem with them. I've never tried the Candy pedals, just the straight Eggbeaters.

Also remember how you put your cleats on picks how much float the cleat has. From memory, one of the cleats has a dot on it. You'll need to look at the instructions. And Crankbothers does sell quicker release cleats which if it worked for you might be the cheaper option.

 

[Postapocalypsia]

On my candy pedals I ended up making spacers under the cleat on the shoe. There was a bit of trial and error but when I had it sussed I threadlocked the screws in. It served me well for years but I always wished for an adjustable pedal and the option of a quick ride just wearing joggers or thongs.

 

[Rod Butler]

I have used the Shimano PD-M324 for many years on my DF tourer and they are bullet proof.

I now use Mikashima US-S Ezy https://www.mkspedal.com/?q=en/product/node/289
They are quick release (from the crank arm) which for me, makes public transport trips,
(I sometimes use train or ferry to get to a start point or just out of the city)
so much easier. As for security...
When I lock it up, I take the pedals with me. Try riding a CB without pedals?

However without those needs, I'd probably have a very close look at
Shimano PD-T8000 reversible pedals, with built in reflectors, which I personally like,
...and the grip-pins on the shoe side look completely slip-proof.

 

[defjack]

I use Candys and Eggbeaters if the if the release is too tight just grind the tops of the cleats a little. Works for me with no pullout

 

[Kenneth]

Also besides the Eggbeater and Candy, Crank brothers makes a full platform pedal as well, it's called the Mallet