We spent a week doing carless commutes. Here’s what we learned. | Bike Flat Pedals

You’re held firmly in place against an upwards exit, but only very slight pressure down and sideways is necessary to get you out, and the pivoting pedal body inside the plastic surround makes it very easy to get in too. They come with Shimano Multi-release cleats, which make things even easier.

I currently use some carbon soled MTB shoes with M520s.  Would I honestly notice any difference if I switched to a road shoe/pedal system?

But it’s probably not time to chuck your clipless pedals just yet. Most mountain bike pros are still using clipless pedals for stability and power transfer. And for everyday riders, clipless pedals still have a host of advantages, the least of which is power transfer on climbs. (Your local trails don’t have lift service, do they?) They also keep your feet from slipping off your pedals on bumpy terrain.

Shimano’s listed dimensions are a little off – I measured the usable platform of these at 108mm long and 110mm wide, and not 110mm x 115mm as claimed. Being the M/L size, these are recommended for shoe sizes from EU 43 and above. If you’ve got smaller shoes than that, the S/M size drops the platform length and width by 10mm each way.

Not convinced? We caught up with Compton between ‘cross races in Belgium to get a few more tips for first-time clipless users. All that clipping and unclipping while ‘cross racing has taught her a thing or two. 

Standard SPD cleats only release when the rider twists her foot outwards, but multi-release cleats come out if you pull up hard too. That’s a far more natural action for a clipless beginner, who’s probably used to flat pedals that you just lift your foot off.

Measuring in at 114mm x 111mm, the Stamps are pretty huge. Using the same sealed bearings and Igus LL-glide bushings found on their other pedals, they spin insanely smooth.

That difference is a factor in which system’s best for you. If you’re clipping and unclipping a lot — while commuting, for example — then the easier clip-in action of two-bolt systems means you won’t find yourself fumbling with the pedals as you set off from the lights.

Flat pedal mountain bike shoes are great: they’re comfortable, they look good, and they provide a ton of grip on rocky surfaces. Clipless pedal shoes are great too: they’re efficient at transferring power and they prevent pull-ups off the pedals in the air. So it seems like combining the two could offer the best of both worlds.

Rode it from Innertkirchen in June, having first done the Grimsel pass in freezing rain & fog. It’s a long old climb, but never feels overly…

We won’t touch on these shoes too much, suffice to say they are a ‘clip in’ shoe with a three bolt mount to fit road style cleats to. They are usually very stiff to offer good power transfer, they are hard to walk in and wouldn’t be used on a mountain or gravel bike. For more on road shoes, including the best ones to buy, head over to road.cc here and read their buyer’s guide to road shoes.

As the M530 is to the M520, the M8020 is to the M8000. Incomprehensible Shimano numbers aside, the XT Trail pedal adds a metal cage to provide your foot with more support, and additional purchase area if you find yourself hurtling down the trail with a foot unclipped.