Clipless – or, more accurately, clip-in – pedal systems have been used by most serious cyclists since Look applied step-in ski-binding technology to bikes in 1984. Then Bernard Hinault rode it to Tour de France victory in ’85 and there was no going back.
Once you too have experienced the efficiency of having your foot fixed on the pedal throughout its cycle, you’ll be hooked. But switching can be intimidating, so we asked British Cycling qualified coaches Andy Cook and his wife Jacqui for help.
Different types of clipless pedals and shoes
ADVERTISEMENT
Most shoes and pedals fall into two categories: road (such as Shimano SPD-SL, Time and Look), which use a three-bolt system, and off-road (such as Shimano SPD, Crankbrothers and Time A-Tac), which use a two-bolt system. There's also a four-bolt system as used by Speedplay, but this goes a slightly different route: the locking mechanism is contained in the cleat, rather than the pedal.
It's important to note that three-bolt systems aren't necessarily compatible with each other, and neither are the two-bolt systems. For example, you can't use Look cleats with Shimano pedals, so check for compatibility before you buy. Neither are three-bolt systems like Shimano SPD-SL road pedals compatible with two-bolt Shimano SPD shoes, even though they're made by the same company.
SPD vs SPD-SL pedals
Cleat setup – road pedals
Cleat setup – mountain bike pedals
How to use clipless pedals
8 tips for using clipless pedals
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://ift.tt/1qPHHJS
No comments:
Post a Comment