intro to clipless?

[HaYWiRe]

Right, so I've always used flat pedals and my trail running shoes, even on my roadie.
The ability to jump off and run with the bike is handy, plus on more casual bikepacking trips there's no need for "cycling specific" shoes.

My new bike came with basic Shimano SPD pedals, and thought it might be a good excuse to give it a go, I feel id get the benefits and I'm always adjusting my foot to find the sweet spot, so the consistency of clipped seems useful.

What are a good set of shoe to start out with, that would still be useful from a bikepacking point of view?
Id rather keep the budget low as I have no idea how id take to the whole clipless thing, it might not be for me


And any other advice would be useful, there's the worry of getting stuck but I'm sure that's just practice,and do stiff cycling shoes affect circulation at all? As that's a problem I sometimes have now

[Bearbonesnorm]

I know that in the main I'm largely on my own here but I'll ask anyway

I feel id get the benefits

What do you imagine they are?

[HaYWiRe]

I tend to find myself constantly adjusting my foot position, not to change positions but to find the sweet spot, I like my foot in a certain place to get the most power. when I hit a rough road or wash out my foot bounces out of place, pedalling feels odd and I start again, I guess I'm after consistency

I've tried toe clips, mini clips, power straps, but think I might try clippless, after all most of my rides are 5h+ of constant pedalling, with 20 mins of running up a hill with my bike on my back CX style

[Ray Young]

With the right shoe/pedal combo your foot should not bounce of flat pedals. I only switched back to clipless because there are far more SPD shoes discounted into my price range than flatties.

[Bearbonesnorm]

With the right shoe/pedal combo your foot should not bounce of flat pedals.

Technique also plays a major part too, it's nothing difficult or awkward just a bit different from where your foot would usually sit if clipped in.

[vorlich]

I prefer SPDs for long rides and flats for more techy/slippy rides on the FS.

Depending on the terrain you'll be covering on SPDs, the soles could really make all the difference, if you're pushing up steep/loose stuff at all.

I love my Mavic Switchbacks, a really good compromise and a fast drying softshell upper. Sadly they no longer make them.

If you get on with Salomon trail shoes, Mavic worth are worth looking at, similar fit etc. (same company)

[Pyro]

I didn't get on with Shimano SPDs - they seemed too locked in place and overly sensitive to less-than-perfect cleat positioning - but loved the extra control and efficiency I seem to get from being clipped in. I've moved to Crank Bros pedals and they've a bit more float and free movement, which suits me and a dodgy knee perfectly.

I rode round Sherwood Pines at the weekend on flats and just didn't feel happy at all, losing footing over small jumps etc. A lot of that is probably technique that I've lost over years of being clipped in, but each to their own!

[benp1]

I like the efficiency side of SPDs - like being able to 'pull up' when you're legs get tired

With good flat pedals and shoes (new style DMR V12s and Teva Links in my case) I can do the drag backwards and forwards thing, just not the pull up bit

Actually my mountain bike is the only bike with flat pedals, both my other bikes have double sided pedals with flats on one side and SPDs on the other

[slarge]

Clip less are something that take a while to get used to (and some comedy falls) but can help with staying attached to the bike. But some riding styles (dh, jumping, etc) might not want that. There's advantages and disadvantages of both, just give them a go and see how you get on. I like cheap specialized shoes for biking with pushing thrown in, as the soles aren't too rigid, and I have carbon soled shoes for racing, and a few other types for the in between rides, but find a pair that fit, not too expensive, and see how you get on.

There's loads of experts over on STW, but ultimately you have to find what suits your type and style of riding.

[Bearbonesnorm]

I noticed On-One had some reasonably priced shoes, don't know whether they're any good but might be worth a look.

[ootini]

I ride clipless on my road bike, and bought spds for my hardtail, but to be honest, I prefer flats on my mtb. I just don't feel confident clipped in on mud, or when things start going sideways. I find riding spds on the road bike definitely helps, especially on hills, but I prefer the confidence I get in flats on my mtb.