Stop Using Traditional Road Pedals

Living in SoCal, I get to ride my bike year round and enjoy a very large cycling community.  I'm also part of a cycling club, a triathlon club, and commute daily on my bike.  This allows me to meet LOTS of people who also ride bikes or who are interested in joining cycling.  Cycling is a passion for me, and I love helping others find their own passion, or even just pleasure, in riding.

   With that being said, I think there is a lot of bad information and guidance on modern riding...starting with PEDALs.  Yes, you should be riding in pedals that you clip in to (also, and formally, known as 'clipless'); but, you probably should NOT be riding in road pedals.  There just isn't a need, nor it is really that safe for most cyclist.

What are Traditional Road Pedals? 

Traditional road pedals are specifically designed for road racing and have a large clip, or platform, and operate on a 3-bolt system in the bottom of a cycling shoe.  The most popular manufacturers are Shimano, Speedplay, and Look, but there are lots more

  The logic behind this large 3-bolt clip is that more power can be transferred between the rider's foot via more surface-to-surface contact.  Additionally, the large clip allows for a more secure clip, which again allows for more power to be transferred throughout the entire pedal stroke.  

Two-Bolt Pedals

The other style of clipless pedals only use 2-bolts and utilize a much smaller clip and pedal.  The most popular brand of 2-bolt pedals are Shimano SPDs.  These are often what you find/use at local spin gyms/classes or on most mountain bike setups.  The smaller platform is not only more discreet, which means you can actually walk in shoes with this cleat, but also that you can clip in an out of the bike pedal a lot easier.

    You see, the #1 problem with using traditional road pedals is that most people cannot get clipped IN and/or OUT of this style of pedal easily.  This makes them incredibly dangerous and frustrating.  Additionally, the truth is that the 3-bolt pattern is also more expensive, cumbersome and unnecessary.  Below are the three reasons why I think you should be using 2-bolt clips on almost all of your bike pedals.

1 - Dual-Sided
Almost every 2-bolt pattern pedal is dual-sided, which means that the lock mechanism on your pedal is on both sides.  3-bolt, however, only have the lock on one side of the pedal, which means your pedal better be in the right direction when you start to ride or you've got problems.  Search YouTube for videos of people trying to 'clip in' and you will see lots of examples of what I am talking about.  Starting a ride should not begin with anxiety or frustration.  You should simply be able to put your foot on the pedal, feel the 'clip', and ride away.  2-bolts give this simplicity every time.
2 - You can Walk
The large platform on a 3-bolt pedal is...large, and it is very hard!  Go to a Starbucks on a Sat or Sun morning and you will see all the road cyclists doing the 'duck walk' as they try not to slide or fall as they walk.  "Well, cycling is for riding, not walking," you say, and I would agree.  But, if you are going to ride your bike, there is a pretty good chance that you are going to ride SOMEWHERE and with SOMEONE else, and maybe need to take a break along the way.  Even the shortest time walking in 3-bolts cleats is miserable.
   2-bolt clips, on the other hand, are so small, that they can be hidden (recessed) within the bottom surface of the shoe.  This leads most manufactures of 2-bolt shoes to design shoes that have tread and some flexibility in the shoes, making it possible to actually walk in them.  And this is why 2-bolt is so popular with mountain bikes and commuters!  Walking is a part of riding in these disciplines.
   Additionally, 2-bolt shoes can actually look and perform like REAL shoes!  This is absolutely critical if you are thinking about being a bike commuter.  The same shoes I ride to work in, I use for work (when I'm not in uniform).  And if I choose to ride to the local store, movie theater, or restaurant...and both look and walk like a normal person.  (Sorry, Roadies, we look weird and walk weird in our large clips.)
3 - They are Safer

 This is the biggest reason to go with 2-bolt clips over 3-bolt.  Like I said in reason #1, it is hard to clip into 3-bolt pedals.  The pedal has to be facing up and you have to get your toe-and-heel action just right to work.  Besides being frustrating, it's dangerous when it doesn't happen right.  People fall.  They get distracted.  They run into things or other things run into them.  Tragically, i see it all the time at stop signs and traffic lights...and even during bike races.

    But then you have to clip OUT of the clips.  Like I stated above, the larger cleat does create a more secure lock.  If you don't throw your heel out the right way the first time, you probably are not going to come out.  This is what they are designed to do, but for most of us, we are not racing on closed roads and only needing to unclip ONCE after we crossed the finish line.  99% of us will need to clip and unclip a couple of times or more on every ride.  Yes, it does get easier over time, but the 2-bolt system is easy EVERY time.

Please, please, please consider getting 'clipless' pedals for your bike, regardless of where or how you ride.  It is an incredible feeling and convenience when you can transfer power throughout the entire pedal stroke.  But, please consider going 2-bolt over the traditional 3-bolt.  Your wallet, sanity, and health insurance policy will 'Thank You,' and you will still be able to pedal hard and look cool at the same time.