Moving from flat pedals to cycling with cleats and clipless pedals is a major step for many cyclists.
These pedal systems use a cleat that binds easily with a corresponding pedal body. They are used across cycling disciplines, including road, gravel riding and mountain biking. But cleats, pedals and cycling shoes are often tailored to the specific demands of each riding style.
The term ‘clipless’ can be confusing because you ‘clip in’ to these pedals. However, the term comes from clipless pedals not having the toe clips (or straps) that professional cyclists and amateurs alike used to use to hold their feet in place.
In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about cycling with cleats, from the advantages and disadvantages to the different types of cleats and how to use clipless pedals. You can use the links below to jump to relevant sections: When did people start cycling with cleats?
Cleats came to cycling in 1984 when Look applied its step-in ski-binding technology to bikes.
Bernard Hinault rode Look’s design to Tour de France victory in 1985 and there was no going back.
Now, cycling with cleats is pretty much the norm in road cycling and many off-road riders use them, too, making clipless pedals and cleats arguably one of the top cycling innovations of all time. Is it better to cycle with cleats? Some say cycling with cleats improves pedalling efficiency because clipless pedals encourage you to engage your foot through the whole pedal rotation, rather than just […]
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