General Cycling Discussion - Are clipless worth it?

Sorry! :o I'm new to this and have only used clips...and that only for about 25 miles total so far.

So are clipless pedals and shoes really worth the price? I'm not doing many miles yet, but am thinking I would like to. So what is a reasonable point to go clipless? And how are they superior to clips?

Thanks!

Clipless are superior to clips in that the release is more positive. With straps, if you have the straps tightened, you'll have to reach down and release tension if you want to get your foot out - not a good thing to need in an emergency stop. Even if your straps are loose, the bottom of your shoe (particularly if you're wearing rubber soled shoes with texture) may hang on the pedal - again, not a good thing in an emergency stop.

With clipless pedals, you merely rotate your foot and the spring-loaded clip will release the metal cleat on the shoe. This makes it easier to get your foot out fast.

Now back to your original question: Are clipless pedals and shoes worth the price? In my opinion, no. If you are racing or if you live in mountainous areas where you climb frequently, the attachment to the cranks allows you to "ankle," which is a euphamistic way of saying that you can pull up as well as push down. It also allows you to spin the cranks very fast without your feet coming off the pedals.

The actual efficiency gained, however, is relatively small (seconds, not minutes on an hour's riding). I don't have any authority for the previous sentence but claims by Rivendell Bicycle Works, who don't seem to be keen on clipless pedals. My personal experience agrees with Rivendell, though. The efficiency gained is minimum.

The disadvantages of clipless pedals and shoes, though are anything but minimum.. You are physically attached to the bike which is not a good thing in the event of emergency stops. Clipless pedal users also frequently (at least while learning) forget to clip out or try to do so unsuccessfully, leading to falls. A single such fall in traffic or at an unfortunate point in the ride can lead to anything from a bruised ego to death.

Given the high severity but low probability negatives (injury, death), and the small (if any) benefits in efficiency, it seems that most riders would be better off without being physically locked to their pedals at all.

Platform pedals with no clips or straps are safer in emergencies, allow you to ride in any shoes, and are cheaper. I vote platforms (but you'll find that I'm a minority of one on this topic in these forums). If you do decide to experiment with clipless, buy used. Then if the system isn't for you, you can resell it with minimal loss.

Good luck!

I went clipless for the road and never looked back. Clipping in / out is second nature to me so the whole emergency arguement is a moot point to me.

I still use platforms offroad however just due to the fact that it's what works for me

i just got these today :)

http://www.irqnine.info/clement/DSC00173a.jpg http://www.irqnine.info/clement/DSC00182a.jpg http://www.irqnine.info/clement/DSC00196.JPG

Shimano M520 SPD Pedals & Shimano MO38 Shoes

First time on clipless, I was worried and thought I wouldn't ride it(clipped) home after installing in the shop. but i tested it on a trainer in the shop, clipping in and out couple of times and thought it was OK, and i rode home no probs.

Overall it's good, a plus to efficiency. I reckon it needs to conform with the saddle's height, which the good mechanic in the LBS adjusted perfectly for me, to be able to clip-in-and-out better and the pedalling is much smoother.

I went clipless years ago for my mountain bike and it was the single best upgrade I've ever made.

Despite what FarHorizon/Rivendell might claim, they feel far more efficient than toe clips. I'd previously toured on toe clips, and they didn't seem anywhere as good as clipless pedals. Toe clips seemed to offer minimal efficiencies and were both harder to get in and out of.

They also feel much more secure on bumpy offroad descents where my feet would otherwise be in danger of slipping off.

I have no problems disengaging when necessary- I've developed the reflex of disengaging when I think I might fall. Admittedly it's a bit of a weird reflex and maybe not everyone develops it.

The learning curve problem is also trivial. I fell off maybe 3 times because I forgot to disengage. However, this invariably happened when I was practising away from roads. Even if you stopped at a traffic light and fell, all the cars around you would have stopped as well.

If you want to make a gradual transition, you can get single sided clipless/platform pedals (I started on Shimano 343s). I quickly upgraded to Time Atacs because they're better in mud, offer good float and are dead simple and require minimal maintenance. I believe that the current pedal of popularity in the MTB world is the Eggbeater, which seems to have copied the design.

I love my Time ATAC Control Z's My next set will undoubtedly be another set of Times It's my opinion that they are far superior to any of the offerings from Shi*No and certainly on par with the Eggbeaters

Yeah, go clipless, it's awesome. I have the same shoes as pictured above and I love them, especially for commuting because you can walk in them with no problems.

I went clipless not too long ago and I'll never go back. I saw my times immediately drop significantly due to the fact that you can do a complete pedal stroke (i.e. pull the pedal upwards as well). I got a pair of ultegra pedals for $120 and Specialized shoes for $100 (but you can get pedals for cheaper, but at my LBS I couldn't find shoes for too much cheaper than that). The only downfall I can see is that it's harder to commute with the clipless (as opposed to platforms where you can wear regular shoes), but I guess that's what my beater is for.

I went with egg beaters in Novemeber or December of last year. I got Candy SL's for 70 bucks shipped on ebay. Starting out was rough, it took about a month for me to get used to and i got frustrated. Then i started being confident enough to use clipless on the road, and platform offroad. ANd now I use clipless on and offroad always, no hesitation. I feel like it gives me more control, when i ride without being clipped in I feel like im riding another bike, that isnt good. Are they worth it?
Yep

I went clipless from toe clips, and what everyone forgot about, is the fact that clipless shoes hold your foot to the pedals, where as toe clips keep your feet from moving to far forward. With toe clips my foot would end up pushing against the front of my shoe causing foot pain. With clipless my whole foot is attached to the pedals, and the foot pain was gone.

As for any speed or climbing benefits, clipless as well as toe clips are not magic. You are not going to transform into a “super~cyclist” just by going clipless. But if you want to alleviate foot soreness, the clipless is definitely the way to go.

One more thing, after going clipless I had to readjust my seat height, and distance from the bars. The clips must have raised me about a quarter of an inch. Just something else to think about.

You can go clipless on a budget too, if you shop around. Some online retailers have shoe/pedal combos that can save you money.

I went clipless about a month or two ago....and all I kept thinking after DAY ONE was "why didn't I do this a year and a half ago when I started riding?".

The first thing I noticed (may not be true for many other riders) is that my form improved immediately. I was born with a problem where my feet naturally sway out a little, which carries over to my riding (even with clips, which allow movement on feet) such that my knees were not straight but out a lot.

When I went clipless it forced my feet to remain straight on pedal, which in turns keeps my legs straight. I picked up a few miles per hour in my average speed instantly because of that.

Additionally....I definitely feel it helping me on the climbs during the upstroke.....I never really felt that when I had the toe clips.

And I don't have that annoying problems with pedals naturally turning clip side down because of the weight.....clip pedals, even with clips on one side, seem to be like any pedal...50/50 as to which side is up. Plus...they make pedals with clip mounts on both sides so it doesn't matter which side is up or down.


It's quite worth it and not extraordinarily expensive. I got a pair of shoes for $50 and pedals for $60.

i just got these today :)

Shimano M520 SPD Pedals
I bought these same ones the evening before leaving to do a triple-century charity event. I practiced clipping in and out for about 5 minutes, went for a 7 mile ride doing all sorts of testing (hills, stopping, stopping fast, stopping very fast, tight turns, starting on hills, etc.). I have had no problems and will not go back standard pedals or toe clips.

I went clipless about a month or two ago....and all I kept thinking after DAY ONE was "why didn't I do this a year and a half ago when I started riding?".
<snip>
Additionally....I definitely feel it helping me on the climbs during the upstroke.....I never really felt that when I had the toe clips.
<snip>
It's quite worth it and not extraordinarily expensive. I got a pair of shoes for $50 and pedals for $60.

My sentiments exactly! I also went clipless about a month ago and I love it! I bought the Nashbar Special ATB Pedal (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=108&subcategory=1078&brand=&sku=8863&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=) ($20.00!!!) because I wasn't too sure how I would do being clipless and didn't want to spend money on something that I might not like. Since using the pedals I've noticed that on climbs and flats I've been pedaling a lot more efficiently. I also love how I can now mash on one crank while pulling the other up (kind of like having a foot stuck in deep mud) while climbing. So, yeah, I think it was money well spent and the pedals are well worth the price!

Good Luck!

p.s. I've only fallen over twice, and both times have been when I was at a complete stop and hesitated whether to go or not while in group rides... :o

Thanks for all your input! And thanks, Mike, for the link to the $20 pedals - that looks like a really good way to go. Shoes will have to be bought (or at least tried on) locally, as I have very picky feet. :)

I haven't tried toe-clips, but I went clipless recently and its a HUGE improvement over platforms. Doing the same routes the ride feels easier, and my legs get less tired. Its pretty evident to me that my cycling is now more efficient.

I got pedals with a platform on one side, SPD-style clip on the other, so I still have both option available to me.

yes. (period)

Clipless pedals are absolutely worth it for all the reasons others have mentioned. In addition I feel very strongly that warnings made by one responder about safety are mis-guided. I, for one, feel very much saver with my feet attached to the pedals knowing that they will not slip off accidently. If you can walk and chew gum, you will quickly learn to release one foot when required and experience will quickly teach you to release in anticipation of having to put a foot down. If you are not a serious roadie, the many spd style take-offs are probably the best way to go.

Using clipless for about six weeks now. I've fallen twice (both during the same ride, if you can believe it), with nothing worse than a skinned knee and bruised pride. I have "campus" pedals (SPD on one side, platform on the other) because I also use my bike for errands and a very short commute (4 miles with lots of stopping), and it isn't worth clipping in for those occasions.

My shoes are Cannondale Roam. Easy to walk in and look like sneakers. Total cost for pedals and shoes was around $100.

I say go for it. My average speed has improved. And I can't tell you how nice it is not to have my feet slip off the pedals when spinning fast.

Despite what FarHorizon/Rivendell might claim...

What did they claim... I went to the Rivendell site and was unable to really find anything... Nice looking bikes and glad to see good lugged steel frames available... with a 70-80s mindset (just like the 80s bikes I ride today that I keep wondering are outdated... )

RE clipless... went there myself back in the late 80's or so (maybe early '90s) and haven't looked back. The comfort has been fantastic since. Spinning and releasing are just so much better... with clips, the whole "reach down first thing was just an accident waiting to happen. Most commutes I did with loose straps, just tightening on long trips.

Clipless rules.

Ah, please forgive me for what may be a very silly question...I found a pair of Shimano MO38 shoes that fit well...so will they work with all of the pedals on this page (http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?category=108&subcategory=1078&storetype=&estoreid=) ?

(hey! I think I got the link to post right! I hope...still new to posting, too.) :)

Ah, please forgive me for what may be a very silly question...I found a pair of Shimano MO38 shoes that fit well...so will they work with all of the pedals on this page (http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?category=108&subcategory=1078&storetype=&estoreid=) ?

(hey! I think I got the link to post right! I hope...still new to posting, too.) :)

Yup they will work.

Clipless has the advantage over clips in that you don't cut off circulation or cut into the flesh of your foot. Clip straps are tight just around the midsection of the foot, while with clipless, the load is spread evenly over the whole shoe. Also the clipless connection may have some float (slight play) in it so your foot position relative to the pedal can be changed slightly as you ride, lessening leg and foot fatigue.
Clipless has the advantage over platforms that your foot won't slip off, which can threaten your man- or womanhood if you happen to be standing.
Clipping out is easily learned. I started at age 53 and I'm quite happy.
Get mountain bike shoes where the tread is designed to keep the cleat off the floor or sidewalk when you walk.

Robert

Clipless are superior to clips in that the release is more positive. With straps, if you have the straps tightened, you'll have to reach down and release tension if you want to get your foot out - not a good thing to need in an emergency stop. Even if your straps are loose, the bottom of your shoe (particularly if you're wearing rubber soled shoes with texture) may hang on the pedal - again, not a good thing in an emergency stop.

With clipless pedals, you merely rotate your foot and the spring-loaded clip will release the metal cleat on the shoe. This makes it easier to get your foot out fast.

Now back to your original question: Are clipless pedals and shoes worth the price? In my opinion, no. If you are racing or if you live in mountainous areas where you climb frequently, the attachment to the cranks allows you to "ankle," which is a euphamistic way of saying that you can pull up as well as push down. It also allows you to spin the cranks very fast without your feet coming off the pedals.

The actual efficiency gained, however, is relatively small (seconds, not minutes on an hour's riding). I don't have any authority for the previous sentence but claims by Rivendell Bicycle Works, who don't seem to be keen on clipless pedals. My personal experience agrees with Rivendell, though. The efficiency gained is minimum.

The disadvantages of clipless pedals and shoes, though are anything but minimum.. You are physically attached to the bike which is not a good thing in the event of emergency stops. Clipless pedal users also frequently (at least while learning) forget to clip out or try to do so unsuccessfully, leading to falls. A single such fall in traffic or at an unfortunate point in the ride can lead to anything from a bruised ego to death.

Given the high severity but low probability negatives (injury, death), and the small (if any) benefits in efficiency, it seems that most riders would be better off without being physically locked to their pedals at all.

Platform pedals with no clips or straps are safer in emergencies, allow you to ride in any shoes, and are cheaper. I vote platforms (but you'll find that I'm a minority of one on this topic in these forums). If you do decide to experiment with clipless, buy used. Then if the system isn't for you, you can resell it with minimal loss.

Good luck!


Very well stated.

I too have recently gone to clip style pedals, since about 3 weeks ago.
I find absolutley no difference in performance at all.
(Eliminating the false claim by so many, for the average mediocre cyclist)
I also have a lot of discomfort with my feet now, mostly sore bottoms.
I really like my toe straps and the comfort of wearing good sneakers.

I will however keep using the clips for another 3-4 weeks just to make sure
I give them a enough time to see if there is any difference, though I seriously doubt it.

I love how so many new or beginner average riders are so quick to hail the benefits
of something when their bicycle is a lot better than they are!
I always tell them, "When you become better than your bike, you can start
extolling the likes of weight savings, and high tech gadgets..."
Until then though...just shut up and ride! :p

I'm far from fit as a rider right now, only been riding for a couple of months after 5 years off the bike. But I'll bet I can drop 99 out of 100 riders who ride with tennis shoes. Most rather quickly and most of the rest after a few miles at pace when the strain of having your foot flexed on each power stroke.

Good cycling shoes are much the same as good hiking boots. They are of little use for a walk in the local park, but go on a real trail with a pack on your back and they make a big difference. Also like hiking boots they often take some getting used to.

When I first went clipless over 15 years ago I only had one fall, the very first time using them. No clipping out related falls since then. They simply are not all that difficult to use. Perhaps I had an advantage as the clipping out is not unlike clipping out of downhill skiis.

15 years ago there were some good reasons to not go clipless. Systems where you did not have to walk like a duck were just getting started. But today there are several well established systems that have shoes that are quite nice for walking.

This is not to say that one should go clipless for every person for every bike. Just as it would be foolish to put $200 tires on a junker car worth only $150 it can be foolish to put a $150 pedal system on a $100 K-mart bike.

Very well stated.

I too have recently gone to clip style pedals, since about 3 weeks ago.
I find absolutley no difference in performance at all.
(Eliminating the false claim by so many, for the average mediocre cyclist)
I also have a lot of discomfort with my feet now, mostly sore bottoms.
I really like my toe straps and the comfort of wearing good sneakers.

I will however keep using the clips for another 3-4 weeks just to make sure
I give them a enough time to see if there is any difference, though I seriously doubt it.

I love how so many new or beginner average riders are so quick to hail the benefits
of something when their bicycle is a lot better than they are!
I always tell them, "When you become better than your bike, you can start
extolling the likes of weight savings, and high tech gadgets..."
Until then though...just shut up and ride! :p


If you are going to go with clips... and toe straps (heaven forbid)... "toe clips," look into some cycling shoes such as these (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17900&subcategory_ID=2130) which have "nylon-reinforced sole provides good power transfer while maintaining enough flex to make walking comfortable."

Back in the day I used to use Avocet shoes that had a small steel plate in the sole to transfer the pedal pressure... otherwise the shoes looked just like any other kind of sneakers. The reinforcement will reduce the foot pain. I doubt those old Avocet shoes even exist anymore now with clipless as king.

So in order to summarize everything that has been stated so far, one would just have to say—GO CLIPPLESS!!!

Not that it matters a whole lot, but I personal would have to agree with the thread's general consensus.

"I really like my toe straps and the comfort of wearing good sneakers."
Yeah, it's real comfortable having the pedal body dig into the bottom of your foot as your "sneaker" bends under the pressure of each pedal stroke!
Disregard FarHorizon's misguided comments - he never mentions that clipless pedals were designed for SAFETY! Look ski bindings designed them so riders who used cleated shoes didn't suffer twisting injuries during falls. Your feet sometimes didn't come out of the old pedals and you got hurt (in addition to the road rash!).
Pro or casual rider, everyone will benefit from using clipless pedals. Better for the knees (if properly set up) and you use more leg muscles.
FarHorizon's agrument basically adds that it's better to have your feet fly off the pedals at 40mph on a hairy descent than at 0mph at a stoplight. Hogwash!
FarHorizon is like many long time cyclists who have used toe clips forever - it's hard to relearn the pedal release. But if you don't waste your time learning toe clips, you'll pick up clipless really fast.
Go clipless - it's great for practically everyone!

"I really like my toe straps and the comfort of wearing good sneakers."
Yeah, it's real comfortable having the pedal body dig into the bottom of your foot as your "sneaker" bends under the pressure of each pedal stroke!
How is it that so many people miss a something so clearly labeled? http://img203.exs.cx/img203/91/arrowtoreplywquote6it.jpg
Makes it so much easier for people to tell who the heck you're responding to.

Clipless or platform...

I also like my Crank Brothers pedals very much, I like the security of my foot on the pedal, I like the added effort I can expend while climbing a steep hill, and I like being able to put effort evrywhere on the pedal stroke.

However, I do find myself wondering how much benefit there is?

For a competitive cyclist, being able to use more muscles is obviously of great benefit. But for a casual ride, one may not be using the upstroke much at all, at least I don't unless I am actively concentrating to do it, but then I always leave my family behind. And a month ago, I had to use normal pedals for 2 weeks, and while I missed my egg beaters I can't honestly say that it would have made that much difference.

So, how big is the benefit for the non-competetive rider? 10%, or more? Or less?? Is the money spent on pedals and shoes truly worth it? Try to answer these questions objectively.

How is it that so many people miss a something so clearly labeled? http://img203.exs.cx/img203/91/arrowtoreplywquote6it.jpg
Makes it so much easier for people to tell who the heck you're responding to.
Looks like Raiyn is on the "how to use the computer" rant again!
I actually know how to cut & paste with my keyboard, don't need to use the "Reply w/ quote" everytime, especially when I want to refer to ONE line of text. Easier to cut and past one line than it is to "reply w/ quote" and have to delete all the unwanted garbage!
So relax and switch to decaf!

I will make one concession about clipless pedals, however.
Clipless are not for everyone. Here's one example.....
A retired couple who buy two comfort bikes to do casual riding. Even though they MIGHT see an advantage of clipless at some point, the difficulty of learning the entry and release and expense of new pedals and shoes probably wouldn't warrant the use of clipless pedals. Plus, falling over due to feet not disengaging might result in broken bones. But my guess is that very few true casual cyclists read posts in this forum, so it's self-correcting in a sense.
But most new avid riders today can really benefit from clipless. Especially those who have never used toe clips. It's the "pull foot back to get out of toe clips" response learned over years of toe clip use that gets the seasoned rider in trouble when converting to clipless. The foot doesn't come out that way! It took me probably six months for the release motion to become second nature - that is I released without thinking during technical riding/trials. (This is after 10+ years of toe clip usage.)
Using clipless doesn't only allow one to simply "push down & pull up." It allows rotational force on the pedals in all directions of the pedal stroke - a real plus.
Clipless pedals, suspension and indexed shifting are the three greatest advances in bicycling technology in the last 25 years.
Go clipless!

I've been thinking about this a bit and think I have an example that might help.

Think of clipless pedals like good track shoes (this is comparing to platform pedals). If all you plan to do is walk then good track shoes are pretty worthless. But if you plan on running then the track shoes pay off. They give you the best traction as you run. They let you perform to your full potential.

But those shoes are not 'shoes of Mercury' out of some video game that do the work for you. You still have to do the work.

I think it is the same for bikes and clipless. They let you perform, but they do not do the work for you. The one difference is that on a bike the line is not as clear as it is between walking and running. Even if you do not work hard that often clipless can still pay off. I do work a fair amount of the time, but I also get results when not working when a light is about to change and find I can accelerate much more easily, making a light I would have otherwise missed.

On a side issue. There are some things that almost do the work for you, or at least cut back a lot on extra work. Street tires for street use comes to mind.

Since everyone's now had the chance to jump all over my "anti-clipless" stance, let me list the reasons why I HATE clipless:

1. I want to be able to bike in whatever shoes I have on
2. I don't climb, don't spin, and don't race
3. I live in an alluvial plain where the highest "hill" is less than fifty feet
4. I'd rather get off the bike quickly in an unforseen emergency stop
5. I'm "duckfooted" by nature & my feet aren't comfortable parallel to the frame
6. My hybrid bike has wide chainstays and my feet hit if parallel to the frame
7. The clipless shoes I tried weren't wide enough for my feet
8. The clipless shoes I tried had rigid soles that I couldn't walk comfortably in
9. The clipless shoes I tried had cleats that scarred up the floors
10. I'm old enough that if I fall, I hurt - and take a long time to heal

None of these reasons may pertain to you or be valid in your life. So be it. If you love clipless pedals and shoes, I certainly won't stand in your way. I will say, though, that just because you love them doesn't make them the right choice for everyone.

Since everyone's now had the chance to jump all over my "anti-clipless" stance, let me list the reasons why I HATE clipless:

Let me play devil's advocate here, since I resisted going clipless for a long time. NOTE: I am not trying to change your mind, I'm just using your post as a starting point because you had a comprehensive list of arguments very similar to mine.

1. I want to be able to bike in whatever shoes I have on

Ditto. For work I often need to wear boots, and I was reluctant to cycle in shoes and drag boots around. Eventually I decided to get pedals with a platform on one side: best of both worlds.

2. I don't climb, don't spin, and don't race
3. I live in an alluvial plain where the highest "hill" is less than fifty feet

Can't argue with that. I do spin, and find it makes long rides a lot easier.

4. I'd rather get off the bike quickly in an unforseen emergency stop

That was a big worry for me, and still is. I feel I have traded more secure footing when pedalling with less security in an emergency. Keep in mind that you don't have to clip-in every minute you ride- when I'm in heavy stop-and-go traffic I don't bother to clip in.

5. I'm "duckfooted" by nature & my feet aren't comfortable parallel to the frame
6. My hybrid bike has wide chainstays and my feet hit if parallel to the frame

You can adjust the cleats to any angle you find comfortable.

7. The clipless shoes I tried weren't wide enough for my feet
8. The clipless shoes I tried had rigid soles that I couldn't walk comfortably in
9. The clipless shoes I tried had cleats that scarred up the floors

I hear you on the width issue! Who are these shoes made for? I settled for shoes that didn't actively hurt and are just a bit too long, but for my next pair I will need to do a lot of shopping to find a wide shoe.

I balance footwear with my needs for that trip. A lot of cycling, not much walking? Bike shoes with cleats. A little cycling, a lot of walking? Normal shoes or boots. Want both? Bike shoes, and carry a pair of sandals.



I will say, though, that just because you love them doesn't make them the right choice for everyone.

And its important to note that no one choice will be right for everyone. I felt I needed more efficiency to be able to go farther, faster, with less effort. A few weeks into the clipless life, I really feel I have that. And let me tell you, after a long day when I have a 30min. ride home with a lot of equipment, I want the ride to be as easy as possible!

Hi Pat!

Thanks for the reply! I appreciate your views. I appreciate the fact that being clipped to the bike is more efficient - no possible argument there. Racers have clipped themselves to their pedals by straps or other means for over a hundred years. They weren't being "trendy" for sure!

Having said that, I must focus once again on my own personal priorities in bicycling:

1. Safety
2. Comfort
3. Fun

Notice that efficiency didn't even make my list. I ride for fitness, and when I do, efficiency isn't important either. In fact, inverse efficiency might be better :D . I'm willing to trade all kinds of efficiency for safety. Since it is likely that I'd fall (at least once, possibly more) with clipless, there's absolutely no incentive for me to even try.

In fact, though, I have tried (briefly). When I resumed cycling after a 30 year hiatus this past January, the first bike I bought had clipless pedals on it. I went to the LBS, and they sold me a pair of Specialized shoes that must have been made for someone with a 13aaaa sized foot. They said the shoes would mutate to fit my feet.

After I managed to get clipped in (in my driveway), I promptly caught my front tire in a seam between two of the concrete slabs, and went down gracelessly. My wife (ever the thoughtful one), commented about what might happen to me if that scenario occured in traffic. Got me thinking...

Since I bike on really badly cracked/rutted/potholed pavement and bike paths, I opted to get some platform pedals and try those for the first few weeks. I've never looked back. In my 140+ miles per week of cycling, I've had at least two near-falls that would have been either bad falls or falls into traffic (possibly fatal) if I'd been clipped to my pedals. Being able to put my foot down without any delay saved the situation.

For others, clipless may make perfect sense. For me, it just isn't an issue.

Thanks again for the reply - I really enjoyed your thoughts!

Hi Pat!

Thanks for the reply! I appreciate your views.

You're welcome, and I am happy you took in the spirit it was intended. I think between the two of us our posts explore both sides of the clipless argument pretty well - hopefully well enough to help others reach a decision.

Recently there was a death in NYC, I think her name was Liz Padilla, it was reported that she could not unclip fast enough to get out of harm's way after she fell. Although I wonder how they knew that.

And that has certainly made me more aware of that danger, I usually unclip in situations which I judge to be more hazardous than usual, except I have egg beaters, the clip in so easily that it is more difficult to stay deliberately unclipped than to clip in, so I have to concentrate on staying unclipped, not good of course.

I think for casual riding or commutting, clips with loose straps are still the best choice.

1. low cost (this is important for some of us)
2. Ease of entry and exit (of course this is negated if you tighten the straps)
3. Allow wide choice of shoes (I often use tennis shoes for short trips)
4. A large amount of float (more so than clipless in my opinion, negated with tightened straps)

I think for casual riding or commutting, clips with loose straps are still the best choice...Ease of entry and exit (of course this is negated if you tighten the straps)

Pedal egress is also limited if you wear tennis shoes or any other shoe with a textured sole. I found this out the hard way when I rode with running shoes with "rat-trap" pedals and loose straps. Even though the straps were loose, my shoe soles hung on the pedals and I fell. Keep this in mind for safety!

The best of all possible worlds (well, in my opinion) Shimano SPD sandals. Walkable, ridable, comfortable all day. Wear heavy socks and you can wear them into late fall or even winter.

i love it!
go for it! you never know unitl you try

I actually know how to cut & paste with my keyboard...

me too!

tags are handy, too...

;)

The best of all possible worlds (well, in my opinion) Shimano SPD sandals. Walkable, ridable, comfortable all day. Wear heavy socks and you can wear them into late fall or even winter.

Yeah, socks and sandals! Hey, it was good enough for the Romans. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/3181443.stm)
Robert