Too old to switch to clipless pedals?

snsb wrote:

I am 72 now and bought my first bike 3 years ago at 69. I had to walk it home from the local LBS because I had never owned a bike before . A few trips to the local park away from traffic and learning first to ride and then indicate etc. allowed me progress to roads. I enjoyed it so much that I realised I must ride clipless and spent more time at the local park to get used to cleats. Yes I fell off a few times and have done on the road but of course it was worth it. I imagine that there is nobody who has progressed to clipless riding who would revert back and nobody regrets the falls they have made in order to now ride clipless.

Age is just a number , determination is more relevant so please don’t advise someone not to try something just because of there age because you could be depriving them of the joys of riding clipless ! 

A great post!  I think we all know that at 70, some people are still as sprightly as some 40 your olds, while others are, well, er, old, so to some extent, only he can judge!  I personally wouldn’t use cleats in the city, but all my riding is on country roads.   

Having said that, I think for young whippersnappers to say to somebody who is clealy wanting to make the most of his latter years: “You’ve managed for 70 years without doing cleats/hang gliding/skydiving/kite surfing (delete as appropriate)  so why start now” is a little patronising. There is enough evidence around that old people who continue to do new stuff live longer and are less of a burden on the NHS and their families, so good for him! When you stop doing new stuff, all that’s left is more of the same for the rest of your days, and how many of us relish that thought?

As others have said, make it clear to him that he WILL fall off during learning. If he is uncomfortable with that, there is your answer. (I took up cleats 2  years ago in my mid 50’s and fell off the obligatory twice, both at slow speed due to forgetting to unclip at junctions, resulting in a gentle roll over onto knee then elbow, no harm done.)

snsb wrote:

I am 72 now and bought my first bike 3 years ago at 69. I had to walk it home from the local LBS because I had never owned a bike before . A few trips to the local park away from traffic and learning first to ride and then indicate etc. allowed me progress to roads. I enjoyed it so much that I realised I must ride clipless and spent more time at the local park to get used to cleats. Yes I fell off a few times and have done on the road but of course it was worth it. I imagine that there is nobody who has progressed to clipless riding who would revert back and nobody regrets the falls they have made in order to now ride clipless.

Age is just a number , determination is more relevant so please don’t advise someone not to try something just because of there age because you could be depriving them of the joys of riding clipless ! 

Fair point – age is definitely not a barrier to learning to use clipless, but it’s important to be prepared to fall over a bit as it will happen. Like yourself, if he’s willing to take a few bumps then why not?

I started with clipless when

I started with clipless when I was 65, I’d had flats on a hybrid before that and hadn’t used toeclips since I was a teenager.

I fell off about half a dozen times in the first few weeks, usually while stationary and through not unclipping quickly enough. Plenty of bloodied knees and elbows but nothing more serious.

I use MTB shoes and pedals, I want to be able to walk normally.  Less than £100 if you look out for offers.

I think it might be fair to
I think it might be fair to state that pretty much everyone who uses clipless pedals has a story of a comedy “failure to unclip” episode.

At 70 it might be fair to ask the question of whether the advantages outweight the possibility of a broken wrist or worse.

I’ve just got the A520 pedals

I’ve just got the A520 pedals and I’m struggling to get in and out of them atm despite them being on the lowest setting. They are really, really stiff.

Been using clipless for over five years and had my first cleat moment the other day. Fortunately, caught a barrier on my way down. 

They are easier to get out of

They are easier to get out of than toestraps – at least you dont have to bend over to unflick the strap.

So in that way clipless would be better – but is he using his straps tight ? 

If I was 70 – I’d probably not bother.  Clipless have been around for at least 30 years so if he didnt switch in his 40s – I think he’s missed the boat 

What he expects to get out of

What he expects to get out of it is key for me,

I’m not sold on the power transfer benefits, but the stability of my knee tracking is a big thing.  I’m also not sure when it happened, but I find it terrifying descending nowadays without being clipped in – took my brothers old bianchi out for a spin when doing some work on it for him, I found it really disconcerting going fast without my feet being locked in.

He’s managed 70 years without spuds, I’d say stick with what you know.  It can take a while to get your knee tracking right when clipped in – the last thing he wants to do is bugger up his knees.

I persuaded my father to try

I persuaded my father to try clipless pedals (Shimano SPD one-sided) a few years ago, when he was in his late 60s. He had the usual couple of tumbles, but has stuck with them, and I don’t think he would go back.

The one sided option available on various SPD touring-type pedals is good because it enables the user to ride unclipped at times when it may be disadvantageous, such as coming up to traffic lights, or heading up steep hills. If you are riding together, it is worth reminding the person using them to do this in advance until they get in the habit!

I think the Click’R option sounds like a sensible one too, in terms of enabling last minute ‘panic’ releases.