Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

forum
road.cc bike forum

Too old to switch to clipless pedals?

by DanaColby85
Fri, Mar 31, 2017 08:31
38

I have a 70-year-old relative who's cycled all his life but has recently been bought a road bike. He's wondering about switching to clipless pedals, having used toe clips for touring and town riding until now. He's being told how easy it all is, but always by people half his age! He's worried about spending a hundred quid for pedals and shoes only to find he's too old for them. Is there a maximum age for taking up cleats? What experiences do others know of for 'old' people going clipless? He's reasonably active and supple for his age, but is getting stiffer year by year. (He doesn't live near me or I'd give him some tryout sessions!)

 

 

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

Add new comment

38 comments

Avatar
DaveE128 | 7 years ago
0 likes

I also notice even at half his age that it takes me longer to learn new things than it used to. YMMV, but I suspect that the number of falls while trying to get the hang of them at a greater age may be increased, as well as the severity of injury being increased, as others have pointed out.

I'm a big advocate of clipless (especially over toe clips), but in this case I don't think the benefits outweight the risks.

Avatar
ClubSmed | 7 years ago
3 likes

If he has his heart set on clipless then Shimano's Click'R pedals could be an option?

http://road.cc/content/review/69035-shimano-clickr-pedals-pd-t400

If he has always used toe clips (with straps?) then he is already in the habit of having to come off the pedal in a specific way before stopping. From what others have told me it is easier to go from toe clips to clipless than it is from flats to clipless. It's the same reasoning as balance bike to bike vs stabilisers to bike, most of the learning has already been done and is second nature now.

Equally, if he is happy with toe clips is it worth changing to something that will need a lot of adjustment before being perfect and put a lot of wrong pressure on the knees until it is?

Sorry, that was no help was it

 

Avatar
TypeVertigo replied to ClubSmed | 7 years ago
0 likes

ClubSmed wrote:

If he has his heart set on clipless then Shimano's Click'R pedals could be an option?

http://road.cc/content/review/69035-shimano-clickr-pedals-pd-t400

If he has always used toe clips (with straps?) then he is already in the habit of having to come off the pedal in a specific way before stopping. From what others have told me it is easier to go from toe clips to clipless than it is from flats to clipless. It's the same reasoning as balance bike to bike vs stabilisers to bike, most of the learning has already been done and is second nature now.

Equally, if he is happy with toe clips is it worth changing to something that will need a lot of adjustment before being perfect and put a lot of wrong pressure on the knees until it is?

Sorry, that was no help was it

 

+1 vote for Shimano Click'R.

If there's more in the budget, I'd also suggest Shimano's Deore XT PD-T780 or PD-T8000 trekking pedals. Those are SPD on one side and platform on the other; the newer T8000 has provision for 4 traction pins on the platform side. They also come with SH56 multi-release cleats as well, and have reflectors.

I compared the spring tension on the SPD mechanism of the PD-T780s next to a more dedicated MTB pedal, the PD-M530s. The T780s easily have lower spring tension - quite similar to the Click'R pedal line.

The T780s are also pretty tough for what they are. Only downside is the platform side is slippery when wet, which is why the T8000's traction pins are a good upgrade.

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds replied to TypeVertigo | 7 years ago
2 likes

Shimano M530 is a good shout as you have a little bit of platform and still have double sided.

doesn't need to have the clip tightened up and getting in/out of modern SPDs is easier than that of older designs anyway.

I just bought a pair of M089 shoes, small bit stiffer than the casual/touring shoe but still with a recessed cleat and able to walk easily. If he wants something more supple/better walking Northwave with a vibram sole is a good option I've found to work really well.

Don't go road shoe and beware the single sided SPD with just a platform the other side, personally I'd rather be able to clip in no matter where my foot/pedal is.

As for the falling off trying to clip in, jesus h, the guy is 70 and still very active, not someone ready to shuffle off this mortal coil, if they have a fall sure it might hurt more than when you're younger but it's not any more dangerous than asking them to walk down the stair unaided right?

I still use my toe clips and straps in the summer months on my 60+ year old machine.

good luck with what you choose and hope he gets on alright.

Avatar
DanielCoffey | 7 years ago
2 likes

Would it be useful for him to get a really nice set of toe-clip pedals and some vintage style leather cycle shoes from somewhere like William Lennon? https://www.rufflander.co.uk/shop/heritage-footwear/arturo-cycle-shoe/

That way he might enjoy the classic feel rather than worrying about clipless accidents.

Avatar
hawkinspeter | 7 years ago
3 likes

The problem with clipless is that you need to practise it until it becomes second nature to free your feet when you want to. As other people have said, you're bound to fall over when you're first learning although it'll typically be when stationery so it's more about embarrassment than lots of damage. However at 70 there's a reasonable chance he could fracture his wrist or similar doing that, so I'd recommend not bothering with them unless he's happy to fall over a few times.

 

Avatar
Yorkshire wallet | 7 years ago
3 likes

I'd give it a miss at that age as there'll probably be at least one fall. From my experience of running flats vs clips there's no real power difference just a bit more stability with clipless whilst moving over bumps and such. The downside of clipless is when you're not moving.

I'd opt for knowing my feet were always going to touch the ground at that age.

Avatar
CXR94Di2 | 7 years ago
3 likes

Its whether he would suffer a serious injury from falling over when he comes to a stop, which he will, we all do until the habit of getting your foot/feet out of the clips before you come to a stop.

 

There are quite  few guys in my club who are late 60's ride clipless, but have being doing so for a long time

Pages

Latest Comments