Function

• Clipless pedals function in tandem with specific mountain bike shoes. The pedals are designed to work with a metal cleat on the sole of the shoe, allowing the rider to secure firmly to the pedal creating a functional interface between foot and pedal.
  
  

Benefits

• There are several key benefits to clipless pedals that have made them a very popular for serious racers and recreational mountain bikers alike. Perhaps the most important advantage is that they enable a far greater pedaling efficiency than a platform pedal. Using a clipless system allows you to push the pedal down and pull it up since you're connected to it, creating a much better flow and translating your energy into pedaling power more efficiently. It may take some time to properly adjust your pedaling style, but once you do you'll get more performance, particularly when climbing or pedaling extensively. Clipless pedals also keep your feet in the optimal position on the pedal, whereas platform pedals allow the foot to slide around. In the same manner, they protect you from injury that can be caused by instability on platform pedals, including smashed shins and flying off the bike.
  
  

Types

• The dominating market leader in clipless pedals is Shimano with its Shimano Pedalling Dynamics (SPD) pedal. In fact, many people might think of "SPD" and "clipless" as synonymous terms; however, there are several other systems on the market. Systems by Speedplay and Crank Brothers are other alternatives. These different systems all serve the same purpose of securing your feet with the pedal, but differ in hardware and design. It's important to be sure that your shoes use the same system as your pedals when making a purchase.
  
  

Misconceptions

• The term clipless pedals may seem like a misnomer since you actually clip into them. The term was derived from the contrast with other older pedals that used toe clips, a plastic cage that encased your foot providing similar functions as a clipless system. Since clipless pedals didn't use toe clips they were referred to as "clipless." Now that clipless pedals are more of a standard than toe clips, the term may seem increasingly contradictive, particularly to newer riders not familiar with toe clips.
  
  

Warning

• Although clipless pedals offer many distinct advantages, they also have some disadvantages. Pedals can be difficult to disengage, particularly during an unexpected fall. In the event that you're unable to disengage from the pedal, you'll lose the opportunity to bail out of a crash or put a foot down to stabilize and will tumble with the bike, possibly causing an awkward crash and injury. It's important to practice clipping in and out of the pedals before riding any demanding trails, but also bear in mind that clipless pedals will make the process of crashing or falling more difficult. Clipless pedals are also more expensive than platform pedals and require the purchase of specific shoes.
  
  

Considerations

• There are some other features of clipless pedals to bear in mind when choosing them. The majority of mountain bike clipless pedals/shoes use a recessed cleat, meaning that the metal cleat is set into the sole, so that the sole is flush to the ground. This contrasts with pedals/shoes that use an exposed cleat that juts outward from the sole, often seen in road bicycling. Recessed cleats are obviously easier to walk in. Pedals are single-sided or dual-sided meaning that one or both sides of the pedal can be clipped into. Dual-sided pedals are easier to use since either side will work with your shoe.