Platforms or Clip-less?

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legot73

This will be my first winter commuting more than a few blocks. My pedal is a platform with SPD clipless on one side. That gets me clipless for commuting, and platform for local errands and heavy winter boots if I need them.

My winter conditions are typically 0-20F, 10mph wind, 45" of snow throughout winter, salt, and occasional frozen snow melt.

staehpj1

Neoprene shoe covers and clipless work Ok for me

ghettocruiser

I've had some success and failure with both in various winter conditions.

CastIron

The only time I have problems with clip-less is in heavy 'mashed potatoes' snow. No matter what you run, THAT sucks.

Portis

Clipless down to around 20 F, then down to platforms. My Lake winter shoes are no good below 20 F.

Ken Cox

I use pedals with platforms on one side and SPD cleats on the other side.

Shimano PD-M324 ATB Pedal
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=13207&subcategory_ID=10045

When I get into really rutted ice and snow, I clip out, flip over, and use the platform side of the pedal so that I can easily get free and put a foot down if I need to do so.

CBBaron

I ride a fixie so clipless is the best way to go. I don't trust myself with platforms on a fixe for more than a couple miles.
I live in snowy Cleveland. We get between 50 and 100 inches of the white stuff a year but the low temps seldom drop below 10F and are usually above 20F. I've use shoe covers in the past but bought Lake MXZ301s for this winter.
Craig

G. Bucci

I ride clipless all year. Never had a problem in winter. As far as conditions, -30C.

Ken Cox

I ride clipless all year. Never had a problem...

Two years ago while riding clipless on my non-studded bike I had a front tire go out from underneath me.
I went down so fast I couldn't clip out.
I broke four ribs and punctured a lung.
I lost a month of work and almost lost my job.
This year, I got the bike pulled out from underneath me by ice ruts, even with studs, and, because I had my feet on the platform side, I managed a nice fall without injury.
When it gets really bad, I clip out and flip over to the platform side.

Tom Stormcrowe

Platforms, clip and strap and neoprene boots with a traction sole.

Hezz

Last year I used clipless pedals with some Answer Kashmirs and also some bargan basement hiking boots that I added SPD clips to. THe Kashmirs are really comfortable but not warm enough below 35 F without extra things like neoprene socks and thick wool socks over the that.

The hiking boots were not loose enough fitting to keep my feet warm and although they worked reasonably well due to a stiff sole the soft rubber sole next to the SPD clip made for too soft a surface for best clipping in and out.

This year I have an idea that I think will work better than all the expensive winter cycling boots made. It will be lighter, warmer and cheaper. But not more waterproof, which isn't really an issue for me when it's below freezing.

sswartzl

I use pedals with platforms on one side and SPD cleats on the other side.

Shimano PD-M324 ATB Pedal
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=13207&subcategory_ID=10045

+1 for the M324's. I just started riding clipless, and I got those on the commuter bike specifically because of winter riding. We'll see how low the temp can go before the feet will freeze even with wool socks and the show covers. When that happens, I break out these (http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=NA&model=AMN8). Never had any frozen feet with them last year.

Severian

There's no option for Crank Brothers Mallets?

kuan

In real winter conditions, platforms and boots.

Halfstep

I ride platforms year round. Straps in the summer, just the platforms (with boots) in the winter.

As for conditions, we get snow, ice, rain, slush and "lake effect" storms throughout the winter. My wife has some lovely footage of me heading down our unplowed road with my feet alternately disappearing and reappearing as I head out. Of course, the camera is a little shakey from her mockulatory laughter.

Ms. Tude

My commute is in a busy city --- and snowy too. Definitely platform all the way. I have powergrips, kind of thinking about putting them on though.

But definitely when I get out to play in the snow it will be platforms.

Have to get working on some shoe/boots to wear though.

mlts22

Mallets or M324s for me.

The only disadvantages of these is if you are a weight freak (I don't care, as I'm at the stage that the weight I need to lose is on me rather than my bike), and are riding technical terrain that such a big pedal might get caught.

They are the best of both worlds. If you absolutely don't care to grab your clipless shoes, you can grab anything that gives traction and still go on your daily ride.

zoridog

I tried platforms once and never looked back. Great for commuting!

DavidLee

Interesting replies. I just bought some power grips for my hybrid & been trying those out. Not bad but I find myself always adjusting my feet, it's kind of distracting. I have clipless for my road bike but don't want to spend an exorbitant amount of money on winter clipless boots. I may just go back to my almighty Nashbar Land Cruiser platforms on my hybrid for winter mush & buy a shoe one size too large to accommodate some winter socks for my road bike. I also see some people are keen to the clipless sandle/waterproof sock combo. That's worth a look at as well I suppose.

Thanks for your replies all. :)

idcruiserman

I use clipless with neoprene covers. Add gallon sized ziplock bags over the socks as needed.

Ziemas

Platforms with PowerGrips so I can wear big boots that keep my feet warm.

squeakywheel

I answered "platform" because that's what I used last winter on my SS MTB main commuter. I'm thinking of all 3 options for this year. I have PowerGrips on my SS road bike and clipless on my geared road bike. I have really enjoyed the PowerGrips this summer.

The PowerGrips might be better for winter because you can slide your foot partially out and still have your foot on the pedal. I can see doing that on treacherous patches where I'm worried about losing it.

Clipless in winter only makes sense to me with studded tires. Otherwise, I think there is too much risk for injury on ice. The Shimano 324's might be a good option. Just clip-out and use the platform side when you find the road is too icy.

RomSpaceKnight

Clipless with temps ranging from 2'C to -32'C and snowfall accumulations of 2" to 2'. Southwestern Ontario.

Golf XRay Tango

Last year was my first full winter of riding. We didn't get a whole lot of snow here in Toronto, so I was comfortable with clipless, cycling shoes and neoprene booties. I didn't ride on the three or four days we got more than 10cm of snow.

It was a blast riding in light snow though :)

balindamood

I've installed Power grips on the snow bike to try with boots. I'm probably going to switch them to my regular commuter next week to see if I like them overall. I have switched all of my bikes (commuter, road, mountain, fixed gear) back to clips from clipless (Shimano SPD). Just don't like them. I'd rather fall like a fainting goat than have my foot twisting about on the pedal.

malkiebear

Clipless rules the day for my 20k daily Toronto commute while the Earth tips her northerly pole towards Gaia, however platform with plastic toe cage (no straps), combined with my Sorel (before they sold out) snowmobiling boots are my concession to the Winter gods.

Now, am old, am wimp & don't ride in heavy snow. Three falls in one December snowstorm (1999), the worst a wicked wipeout at Parliament & Carlton, (Torontonians will know what am talking about), on the web of streetcar tracks, resulted in post traumatic cycle stress syndrome & haven't been the same since.

Besides, have child at home that needs parent.

:eek:

webist

There are some cold days in winter in southern AZ, but not so one would need to change pedals. For us, it is cycling during the winter months, not winter cycling.

arcticbiker

I use standard Shimano clipless (older versioin 747's). When it's below zero F, I like to switch to straight platforms. Control has never been an issue at cold temperatures or icy conditions w/ clipless for me. The problem for me is the heat transfer through the pedal at cold temperatures. I haven't tried the 324's but I think I might. It may save changing the pedals back and forth with the temperature swings.

Thanks for the post. Good information here!

rajman

BMX style platforms (with the little screw-on spikes), and my winter boots.

I've been spending my winters in Calgary lately (Toronto is just too warm in winter for me:)
Not a lot of snow, but ice sticks around all winter (for some reason 10+C does melt ice here), so whenever I ride it's a mixture of dry pavement, pavement covered by loose gravel/sand, patches of ice, hardpack snow, mud, and the odd snowstorm (loose snow all 'round). Temperatures (in one day, it seems) can vary from -30 C to +10C.

ViperZ

I ride clip-less until the snow gets deep, then I switch to platforms. Not because I need warmer foot wear, rather platforms allow me to "Dab" more readily

2manybikes

Believe it or not.......

Not being clipped in reduces your fast strong power transfer and makes it easier to control the traction on ice and snow. For those times when power to the ground is not your friend, and you have to pedal gently and carefully on a very slippery surface.

GeekCyclist

There was a post above about using gallon ziplocs between socks and shoes. Since I was a little kid I have used bread sacks when the conditions warranted it, rather than a ziploc. The narrow shape of a bread sack ends up fitting much like a tube sock would.

2manybikes

crtreedude

Clipless year round - of course, our climate is pretty much the same year round too (the only thing that changes is whether it rains in the morning or not)