Getting my friend into riding… and going clipless right away.
What are reccs for the easiest and best system for him?
I was thinking Speedplay because of clipping in from either side.
What do you guys think??
I don’t think it matters. They’ll probably eat dirt a few times until they figure it out. I think having them ride out 100 yards, turn around, come back, and try to unclip on grass or something soft until they get the hang of it is more important. Just be sure to shoot video. I was laughing hysterically at myself as I slowed to a stand still and just fell over… numerous times.
same one anyone else would use.
speedplay if you need the float, but a noob might not like the maintenance they require either
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lower the tension of the pedals A LOT until they figure out the unclipping motion, if you start at high tension they’ll eat dirt a lot more times IMHO
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2 sided MTB pedals aren’t bad for learning. Time ATAC’s are probably about the easiest pedals I own to clip into. Just light release as well and you can get a basic set pretty cheap. But you might need MTB shoes or adapters for road shoes to make them work.
I would recommend Speedplay…
Joel
I usually recommend Shimano. Easiest to walk in and you don’t walk on the engagement part of the cleat, so they don’t wear as fast. However, with Shimano moving their distribution in house, lead times are increasing, so some shops are moving away from Shimano’s road pedals. Get Speedplay if more float is needed. But as another poster said, any off them are fine.
If you’re going to teach your friend to ride clipless, a trainer is a great place to start. No just for the clip out, but the clip in, too. When I’m teaching folks to use clipless, I encourage them to clip out 50 to 100 feet before they plan to stop. I also suggest that they clip out at the top. It’s a little harder, but it has them ready to stop and put a foot down. Clipping out at the bottom will lead to an extra half revolution and they may overshoot their stopping point.
Finally, I try to get them to practice on a cul-de-sac or quiet street and use a mailbox as their designated stopping point. That way, if they overshoot it, they’re not in the middle of an intersection.
hth
speedplay if you need the float, but a noob might not like the maintenance they require either
Agreed with Jack.
Speedpay makes and outstanding pedal, but they are finickity to set up, and the cleats get easily wrecked and prematurely worn out if you are walking a lot on them, and or don’t stay on top of routine maintenance of the pedals and the cleats(something that generally triathletes are not good at - routine maintenance of their bikes)
I started out using Speedplay and have stuck with them, they are easy to use, particularly for a newbie and I’ve had mine for 6+ years. I’m small and light (5’3"/115lbs) so I use the light action pedals, I have never had any issues with them and I typically average 18-21mph depending on the course - hopefully even faster this year :). Also I’ve never done any “maintenance” on them, so not sure what the previous poster is referring to. If anything they get a little lube once or twice a year when I I take my bike into the shop (start/end of tri season). Also directly from the Speedplay website “EASY MAINTENANCE: A built-in grease port for easy bearing lubrication.” Congrats on recruiting someone to start riding - talking them into a tri is next!
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Yes, there is a built in grease port, because you have to do that a lot.
With other pedals you just put them on your bike and forget about them for like 5 years.
Also directly from the Speedplay website “EASY MAINTENANCE: A built-in grease port for easy bearing lubrication.”
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I think that you guys make a decision on price, color, weight, or whatever other criteria you’d prefer (I got Looks because I wanted a larger base that would allow me to ride in my running shoes if needed- which has happened several times). Then, set them up on a trainer or other elevated-back-wheel system and practice Miyagi style- Clip in/ Clip out several 10s-100s of times.
same one anyone else would use.
speedplay if you need the float, but a noob might not like the maintenance they require either
Maintenance is overrated. I keep my race bike Speedplays in good order by lubricating as per instructions. More of a superstition thing (keep all the wattseses!) than anything else.
On my training/beater bike. I’ve owned it since 2008 and have never once lubed the Speedplays. Yes they don’t spin freely forever when I spin them up by hand. But they spin a few times. Pedaling you’d never know the difference between the two. Watts lost is probably not even 1W.
Look Keo Easy. I tried to start my wife out on Speedplay and she hated them. Tried everything to get her used to them. Put on the Keo’s, and haven’t thought about them ever since. Once you get the hang of pulling the pedal level with your toe before clipping in, it’s very easy.
With other pedals you just put them on your bike and forget about them for like 5 years.
Again - this is not a knock on Speedplays, they make a great pedal. My wife uses them and loves them - but I do all the maintenance on them! 
I’ve always used Looks. They often get knocked for having lousy bearings, but I just replaced a 4 - 5 year old pair of Look Keo Carbons with a new Blade 2’s. The bearings on the Keo’s where in awesome shape, the platform of the pedals( these were the pre-stainless steel platform shield models), was just worn out - too pitted, from grit being in there and getting worn down, with that little bit of extra movement, that is annoying.