How safe are SPD pedals that attach your foot to the pedal.?

Question

They seem a bit risky to use, are they worth it for say commuting.

Answer 1

SPD pedals are very safe once you are used to them.

Most people will have a few falls when they first switch over to SPD pedals but once you are used to them it becomes automatic to click out when you need to stop.

The advantage of being "attached" to your bike is that your pedalling efficiency will go up and you will be able to ride faster.

Depending on how often you have to stop on your commute and how long it is I would recommed going for SPD pedals. Just have patience as you get used to them and be prepared to fall a few times.

Answer 2

MR is spot-on. I've had clipless pedals continuously since 1985 and they are definitely more efficient and safer that clips-&-straps. I feel safer with SPDs than flat pedals [you can hop over obstacles easily attached to the bike] and I don't worry about a foot slipping off in the wet.

For un-clipping you just have to think ahead a couple of seconds [it becomes second nature] and your feet twist out really easily. You can start off with a loose setting till you get used to it and gradually tighten the clamping mechanism to get more power. You can even get plates that allow your feet to move a little if you have dodgy knees.

If your workplace is casual-dress there are pretty normal SPD compatible "street" shoes/trainers that you can mostly wear all day.

Cycling whilst attached to the pedals give you approximately 20% more power and are a great boon going uphill.

It's a no-brainer really, once you are used to them you won't like riding flats clip/strap pedals.

Answer 3

I use my SPD pedals when commuting. Once you get used to using them, you learn to anticipate when you may need to unclip, and you do!

When I first tried clipless pedals, I did fall down two times when trying to unclip. I learned two things in the process: (1) make sure your clips are adjusted correctly, and (2) practice make sure you know what you are doing before you do it!

The clips help me maximize power on the hills that permeate my commute. If I don't want to use them, I flip over my pedal and use the regular side. I personally prefer those type of pedals to egg beaters for commuting purposes, so that I can ride without being clipped when necessary.

Have fun!

Answer 4

everyone has just about the same information but id like to add a little more
they are safer when you get used to them, as if you do fall your bike wont rocket away from you into traffic possibly totaling your bike, it could still happen but its less likely
you do save alot of energy by using clipless pedals and uphill is so much easier youll thank us if you ride uphill in them
the advantages are you can push down and pull up, your more efficent, and its always funny to have ppl look at you and go omg what if you fall over!
if you decide to get them heres the way i practiced
take your bike and put in in a doorway, preferably the bathroom doorway cuz if u slip backwards youll still catch yourself
clip in and out with both feet about 50 times gradually increasing the tension so its how you would have it while riding
then start on streets without many cars and by then u should be fine
u may still fall but i havent yet
the real advantage as far as how your legs feel is that when ur pushing down on the pedals your using your quads in the front of your upper leg
when you are clipped in your able to pull up using your hamstrings, this will wear down your quads so much less and also use your hamstrings and something called an IT band in your legs
there alot of fun, safer, faster, more efficent, and just cool looking. id say go for it, even if your commute isnt more then 2 miles. you should ride other then that anyway!

Answer 5

safe spd pedals attach foot pedal

Answer 6

SPD pedals are very safe once you are used to them. I would even say safer. Being attached to the bike greatly increases your efficiency. But it also increases your maneuverability. As you become more experienced, you will actually feel that you have trouble riding without them.

It is also important to note that most of these pedals have adjustable release tension. you can adjust the pedal to release very very easily when you are starting out. Then increase it as you ride more and more.

Answer 7

"Clipless" pedals have been around for years and are in very routine use by all kinds of cyclists.

It's understandable you might be a little concerned about them if you've never used them before. The difference they will make to your cycling is huge, they'll make a significant increase to your pedaling efficiency.

The twist action to release your foot from SPD's quickly becomes second nature and the release tension is adjustable too.

Go for it, you'll be glad you did.

Answer 8

i agree w/ everyone who recommend them. they are great, and for commuting in heavy traffic, i set them to release easily for unexpected car maneuvers. i have these pedals that are clipless on one side, and regular flat pedals on the other side. tricky to get used to only being able to clip in on one side of the pedal, but if i'm going somewhere and i can't bring regular shoes, i can still pedal there, albeit not as efficiently.it does feel strange not tobe attached to the bike!

Answer 9

The are very safe, more so than toe clips. The one issue is you need to carry a pair of shoes for work or school too. If you ride a lot they are great. If your commute is a mile or two and you don't ride much otherwise it may not be worthwhile.

Answer 10

They do take a bit of getting used to but it only requires a slight twist of the foot to release yourself if you need to put your foot down.

You are less likely to skin your shin when using SPD's but I personally prefer to use spikey platform pedals.