Clipless pedals? Yes, no - yes!
14.11.2025
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Patrick Bardelli
Flat rate, click or clack. Another question of faith. With my magnetic pedals on my gravel bike, I belong to the clack faction and therefore to a vanishingly small minority.
Maybe I'm just too stupid. Or my coordination isn't quite up to scratch and my reflexes are no longer up to scratch. Or I'm simply too old. It's probably a combination of everything. In any case, in the last six years since I switched from jogging to biking, I've never found my way to clipless pedals. And I have to be honest and admit that this fact has been eating away at my self-esteem ever since.
That's why I've tried out clipless pedals from time to time and given up, exasperated, after the second ride at the latest. Sentences like: «If you can't ride clipless pedals, you have no business on a bike», or «It takes a bit of practice at the beginning and you're bound to fall sometimes. That's part of it», don't really help. On the contrary. And so I consistently use flat pedals and magnetic pedals from Magped on my gravel bike. You can find out why I'm a fan of the Austrian company's products here:
The quiet feeling of failure accompanies me from time to time and whispers mockingly in my ear with the odd pedal rotation: «If you can't ride clipless pedals, you have no business on a bike.» Miserable self-doubt.
New cleats, old problem
The announcement by Shimano in September that they would be giving their SPD cleats a major overhaul after almost 30 years aroused my curiosity. The new product has been developed «for a wide range of riders - from modern trail and enduro racers to everyday commuters and beginners who want to learn how to clip in and out. It offers a multi-directional entry for easier engagement.»
Target group? Right here, me! And when I watch the promo video from Shimano, there doesn't seem to be anything easier. In, out - bang, boom. Engaging is one thing, disengaging (literally and figuratively) is another. Which brings me back to the beginning of this article. Am I too stupid, too clumsy in terms of coordination or simply too old? Probably all of the above.
In any case, it doesn't really work for me, even with the revised cleats. Engaging still works reasonably smoothly. When I disengage, I freak out and get stuck in the pedals. You could say it's a hanging game. But enough of the puns, my fear of failure kicks in again: «It takes a bit of practice at the beginning and you fall sometimes. That's part of it.» No thanks, not in the mood.
At the end, the big BUT
A few weeks ago, I reactivated my interactive roller trainer after a long time. I'm a fan of riding outside all year round if possible. However, targeted training control on the roller also makes sense.
And what can I say? The combination of shoe, clipless pedal and cleat works on the rollers. Logically, the bike is stable on the spot, connected to the roller trainer via the rear axle. I click in and ride off. The clicks allow me to apply power to the entire crank rotation - both when pushing down and pulling up the pedal. Thanks to this efficient power transmission, I save energy and can ride for longer.
Click pedals outside? No, thank you! Indoors on the roller? Yes, gladly!
PS: By the way, I searched for Zwift with Rouvy discovered a new interactive training platform for me. More on this shortly.
Header image: Patrick Bardelli
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
Opinion
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