Clipless pedals are a topic of some controversy in BMX racing.  Although riding ‘clipped in’ allows for a more efficient pedal stroke, which makes a rider faster, there are concerns and debates about the possibility of increased injuries from not being able to unclip in a crash.   I thought about it for a while, and I wanted to try them for some time, but the usual fears prevented me from doing so - until just last week.

:: Shimano PD-M647 clipless pedal - click on image to enlarge ::

I purchased the Shimano PD M-647 DX clipless pedals, and like all Shimano SPD pedals, they are adjustible.  Not that it would matter much to me, since I’ve never ridden clipless pedals before on a BMX, so I was starting fresh, so to say.

How did it go at the track?  Uneventful.  I had last minute jitters about trying them, but as Mike Powers told me, “just man up and do it” - well, that’s exactly what I ended up doing.  I found that I really liked being clipped in, and I haven’t fallen over at the gate — yet (it will happen, I assure you).  Knowing that my feet are in the right place and will not slip off the pedals is something I can get used to, and I suddenly realized that all the mentioned fears of riding clipped in were blown way out of proportion.

So, it looks like riding clipped in is something I’ll stick with (no pun intended).  I’ll post again when I end up making an ass of myself at the track.