Shimano Click ‘R Pedal and Shoes
by Troy Gielish, PCI #1136/EMSCI #269
Irvine (CA) Police Department
Fellow public safety cyclists, I had to take a minute to share my experience with the new Click’R shoe and pedal systems by Shimano. I have been a long-time user of the Shimano MT33 shoes and the M424 pedals with SPD compatibility. The shoe was fairly comfortable, it had reflective materials and, most importantly, it came in black!
A few months ago, I was at the Interbike trade show, where I visited the Shimano booth, drooling over all their new components and accessories. I came across their new “Click’R” shoe and pedal line which features a revised SPD clipless technology with a lighter spring, an elevated catch to engage the cleat more easily, and most notably, a reduced clip-out angle.
There were a couple of different models of shoes and pedals, but I selected the PD T400 pedals, which have two-sided SPD clip-ins. I also got a pair of the new CT40 Click’R shoes, which have a comfortable walking sole yet are still stiff enough for duty riding. The shoes also have an improved shock-absorbing midsole and, most importantly again, they come in black!
No exaggeration, I was blown away by the comfort and performance of the shoe and the ease which it worked with the Click’R pedal. The shoe felt like a well broken-in pair of athletic shoes and I never once heard the SPD cleat hitting or scraping the ground when I walked, because the new shoe has the cleat recessed better than the old shoe.
I have taught several bike classes and have done some fairly steep climbing and sprints using the Click’R system and have not had any issues. The shoe is very well-ventilated which works in Southern California’s climate but may cause some concerns if you often ride in the rain.
We have all witnessed our students and brother and sister officers who clip or strap into a pedal for the first time and suffer their inevitable their first tip-over when they can’t release their foot. This shoe-and-pedal combo is going to revolutionize pedal retention and the even the most challenged riders – those who vow they will never clip-in – will be amazed at the ease of use of this system.
Lastly, another less expensive option for the pedal is the Click’R PD-T420, which has one side of the pedal without the Click’R binding. This is an option in case you happen to be wearing a non-cleated shoe.
Shimano does not yet participate in the IPMBA Product Purchase Program. Visit http://bike.shimano.com/ for more information. The Click’R CT 40 is also sold by Safariland. Visit http://www.safariland.com.
Sergeant Troy Gielish is an IPMBA Instructor with 21 years of public safety cycling. He is a former member of the U.S. Cycling Team and actively teaches throughout the country as well as in Asia. He can be reached at gielish@yahoo.com.
This review appeared in the Winter 2014 issue of IPMBA News.