How Do Clipless Bicycle Pedals Work?
Clipless bicycle pedals offer cyclists better efficiency along with more power, control and confidence on the bike, according to Jennifer Sherry, a writer for Bicycling Magazine. While this is generally true, there is a hump of intimidation many riders must overcome before going "clipless." Most cyclists fall when they first go clipless, but just like riding the bike in the first place, the learning curve does not last long.
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The Set-Up
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Clipless causes confusion. There is more to a clipless set-up than just the pedals. Yes, you need special pedals, but in order to "clip in," you also need special cleats that "lock" into the pedals. The cleats adhere to the bottom of special cycling shoes. Not all cleats work with all shoes. Not all pedals work with all cleats. Check with your local bike shop to make sure the set-up you would like to go with is free of compatibility issues.
Function
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When you ride a bike, you can use platform pedals. Your feet, in a regular pair of shoes, simply "sit" on the pedals. You can opt for extra security by using toe clips or straps. Toes clips or straps are essentially cages that you place your feet in as you ride. They keep your foot from moving too far from or slipping off of the pedal when cycling. With clipless pedals, your foot effectively attaches to the pedals via a cleat. In this case, your feet should never leave the pedal until you purposely disengage by pivoting your foot.
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Benefits
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As Sherry explains, with your feet affixed to the pedals, "you become one with your bike." This provides for more power as you pedal since your foot hardly, if at all, lifts up from the pedal. All of the power on your down-stroke, for instance, is reserved for driving the bike forward. You can pull up just as hard as you push down, another clipless benefit offered by Sherry. Going clipless provides more control as well, since you can more easily lift the bike up (e.g., bunny hop) to avoid obstacles on the road or trail.
Considerations
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Prepare to fall the first time you go clipless. When you stop pedaling on your first clipless journey, you might want to pull your foot off of the pedal as you normally do. This won't work. You have to pivot your foot to get out. It takes a while for your body and brain to work together on this one, so you tend to fall over sideways at least once. Sherry suggests practicing before you take a serious ride. Clip in and out of your pedals when standing in place on the bike against the wall or on a trainer.
Cost
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As of April 2010, you can find clipless pedal close-out deals for as low as $30 from many online retailers and bicycle shops. The prices go up from there into the $400 to $500 range for light, race-style pedals used by the likes of Lance Armstrong. For most commuters and relatively casual cyclists, choices in the $60 to $150 range are plentiful from companies such as Shimano, Look and Crank Brothers. Don't forget the cycling shoes, which come in at a similar price range. Cleats on their own are typically priced around $20. Cleats tend to come with pedals, though.
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References
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