 Along with the not so terrifying drop bars, clip-in pedals are probably what terrify new riders the most. To clip or not to clip? That is, in fact, the question. The truth is, clip-in pedals don't have to be that scary, and they really do improve your performance. Once you learn to use them right, they allow you to both push down on your pedals and pull up on the upstroke, too. There are two basic types. Here we have the LookStyle road shoe, which is really kind of crazy looking. And then on the other side of that, we have the SPD, which is born out of mountain biking and has a lot more casual styles for everyday riding. Unless you really need the road-specific performance, I would recommend shoes like this with the SPDs for two main reasons. One, the shoes often have recess cleats, meaning you don't have to slip and teeter around the local coffee shop. Two, some SPD pedals have platforms on them, which help you gain confidence. It also means that you can use any type of footwear when you're out for a casual ride. When you're adjusting the cleat on the base of your shoe, you want to make sure that once you're clipped in, your foot is in a natural and comfortable position. This will vary from person to person, but it's really important to get it right so you're comfortable on the bike and your knees aren't being moved in weird directions. With the adjustment bolts, you can keep a little bit of play in the pedals, which will allow your feet to move and make it a little easier to twist out of your pedals and avoid the stationary collapse at the stoplight. You've all done it and you might do it too. Remember, as you get stronger and more confident and you find yourself pulling harder on the pedals, make sure to adjust this bolt so you don't accidentally slip out. For more bike tips and tricks from Pure Cycles TV, click the link to subscribe.