Fifty Plus (50+) - Got Rid of the !*#@%^ Clipless Pedals

What a relief. After 1200 miles of unhappy riding, I got rid of the !*#@%^ things and put plain old flat pedals back on my Trek Pilot 1.2.

Did a 72 mile ride yesterday. Haven't enjoyed my riding that much since I first put the damned clipless things on my bike.

First there's the feeling of comfort. My feet could move around -- and my feet did NOT go numb like they did with every ride with the clipless (and which didn't go away after four different fittings, including one $$$ fitting by an "expert"). And with my feet moving, my knees and calfs were free to relax and not cramp up. For the first time in months, my left leg didn't crumple the first time I put weight on it after a ride.

Then there's the serenity. I can react instantly to anything that happens because I'm not in bondage to the bike. Somebody stops suddenly in front of me. No problem -- hit the brakes and hop off at the same time. A pedestrian scoots out in front of you suddenly -- no problem. A car suddenly swerves in front of you -- no problem. Plus, no more resistance to making tight turns -- my feet are always there in case I make the turn too tight.

And the security. Knowing that my left foot isn't going to slip off the pedal while I'm trying to get started from a standing stop because I'm busy trying to get the cleat in AND also pump the pedal. Not having to worry about doing uphill starts (I have power from both legs right at the start). Not having to worry about doing uphill starts across a busy road (same reason). Not having to walk my bike to the top of an uphill to get started (same reason). Hell, not having to worry about starts across a busy intersection.

And more comfort. The ability to stand with both feet flat on the ground at a light and then just hop onto the pedals as the light turns green without having to spend time with the left tippy toe on the ground and hip/thigh draped uncomfortably over the seat. Ahhhhh.

My chiropractor will be VERY unhappy. He's been making a lot of money from all the sprains, strains, and cramps I was getting. Looks like he's not going to get that vacation in the Caribbean that we was so looking forward to.

As far as speed -- this was a totally new route and I can't compare it to previous runs of this route. However, my uphill speeds seemed right in line with my experience on hills of similar grade. My flat speeds seemed in line with my normal flat speeds. My downhill was just as fast, but I usually coast those. AND, my fleet stayed glued to the pedals on rough downhills.

Relief. Happiness. A new-found enjoyment of riding.

Thanks for posting your experienced perspective on "clipless". (Of course, I come solidly from the retrogrouch camp, but...) all the things you cited about why you like platforms are exactly the reasons why I have been dawdling about getting clipless. I like being able to move my feet around. I like being able to start on hills where I must cross traffic lanes without hasseling with getting my feet positioned "just so". Still, there are so many advocates for the advantages of clipless that I must confess to continued curiosity if it really would enhance my riding experience. Someday I probably will try them out, but meanwhile, just give me a pair of rattraps and I am good to go.

Funnily enough-Every reason for reverting back to platforms- is the same reason that I will never revert back.

You either like Clipless or you don't. It is as simple as that.

Guess clipless isn't for everyone. I tried them (and may yet again), but didn't care for them either. I've been riding what most here refer to as BMX (platforms with traction pins) for years on my mtn.bike. When I got a road bike, I tried clipless, but wasn't for me and now it has "BMX" style pedals on it also. Gotta go with what feels right to you.

Funnily enough-Every reason for reverting back to platforms- is the same reason that I will never revert back.

You either like Clipless or you don't. It is as simple as that.

+1 :D

Let me guess here....you didn't like clipless???? Just being a smartass. To each his own. I finally went clipless and love 'em. Got on my mountain bike with toe baskets today and damn near killed myself since I am so used to the twist out for clipless I felt totally restricted. Glad it's sorted out for you and feels good. That's the point. Finding what works for you.

Most if not all beach cruisers are flat pedals. Maybe all cruisers are flat pedals. So there's a ton of people out there who are like you.

Today I rode my road bike and coming back it was a headwind. I was glad that I didn't have to rely on the quads to do all the work. I still have to concentrate on the upstroke but today, I felt relieved that I had this wonderful clipless system.

Only 1200 miles? That's hardly a fair trial. ;)

I loved clipless from the first mile and will never go back. Diff'rent strokes...enjoy.

I loved clipless from the first mile and will never go back. Diff'rent strokes...enjoy.

+1

Can I have them? Or better yet, can you give them away in a contest?

I have some MKS-GR9 pedals specifically made for toe clips, and I love 'em. I also have an old set of "box" pedals on my old 10-speed converted to toe clips. The big difference is that the MKS pedals have a littl trapezoidal tab on the backk of the pedal that make flipping the pedal over to insert the toe so much easier.

As far as I can tell, the only down side to riding toe clips is, when you first start out and have only one foot in the clip, the other pedal hangs upside-down, and the toe clip drags on the ground.

Once I had ridden up to the top of a long hill (dead-end), and coasting down I totally forgot to get into the clip on the right pedal. I had the pedals "leveled", so there was no scrape, but afterwords I wondered what would have happened if I had decided to pedal and the right clip had dug in at high speed. Probably nothing, but if something were to happen, I bet it would happen fast!

Yeah? Well Speedplay Drillium platforms are an outrageously nice pedal. Who needs clipless? Maybe some young uns that think they need to go fast. bk

"Relief. Happiness. A new-found enjoyment of riding."

I'm with you jp. Only rode about 500 miles with clipless in May. I never felt there was any advantage for me. Actually rode faster after I went back to just platforms. Also not getting the odd pain in left knee any more. Just a recreational biker out for some fun and exercise. Will probably hang on to the shoes and pedals for another year, just in case I really find or see a need for them. But I'm not looking.

Funnily enough-Every reason for reverting back to platforms- is the same reason that I will never revert back.

You either like Clipless or you don't. It is as simple as that.

+1 too!

Because of the scary prospect of having one's foot slide forward or sideways off the pedal, I would want some sort of retention system. In my case, the retention system of choice is old-fashioned toeclilps, which I keep just loose enough to permit me to yank my foot out, if necessary.

I should chime in here, with my opinion. Right?

Because of the scary prospect of having one's foot slide forward or sideways off the pedal, I would want some sort of retention system. In my case, the retention system of choice is old-fashioned toeclilps, which I keep just loose enough to permit me to yank my foot out, if necessary.

Over many years of riding everything from pure platforms, to toe clips, and now clipless. There is just no way I'd ever want to go back to platforms or toe clips. I don't like platforms for the above reasons, but toe clips are a real pain. You have to reach down to cinch them up tight enough, and I find it a whole lot easier to just slightly rotate my foot to disconnect instead of pulling out backwards, especially in some peddle positions. Nope, clipless is (I think) the only way to go. They do take a little getting used to, and they need to be properly adjusted and maintained. I just wonder if those who don't like them need some adjustment. It baffles me...

I should chime in here, with my opinion. Right?

My understanding is that you're aggressively indifferent on the subject.

In November when I got a road bike I went clipless from the start and loved them. I had been using hard plastic toe clips on my mountain bike and thought they were the greatest. We just took a short vacation in the motor home and we only took our mountain bikes. As we were riding up a hill my foot almost slipped off of the pedal as I was pulling up while pedalling hard with the toe clips. My wife rides her mountain bike and road bike with plain old plastic pedals on both and wouldn't have it any other way. I guess I said all of that to say this. Just ride with what you feel good with.

For me, the only excuse for platforms is a "casual" bike that you can just jump on with whatever you're wearing.
For any sort of serious riding, I long ago decided clipless was the only way to go, either on or off road.
I've never experienced any sort of discomfort from mine, with several different pairs of shoes so far and several different brands of pedal. Currently using an old pair of Lake light-duty "mountain" shoes and spuds.

These pedal threads and the ones about Brooks saddles (just to name a couple) tend to drive home a point. What works for some people may not work for others. Just because something makes my riding experience wonderful doesn't mean that it won't make someone else's dreadful. And conversely, if a product does not work well for me doesn't mean that it is not a good product that might transform the life of another person. That is one reason there are so many options. Different people prefer different things, and that is OK.

Platforms on 2 bikes when I'm just riding a couple of blocks for groceries, or to the post office. I've been clipless since Looks came out in the mid - late 80s.

These pedal threads and the ones about Brooks saddles (just to name a couple) tend to drive home a point. What works for some people may not work for others. Just because something makes my riding experience wonderful doesn't mean that it won't make someone else's dreadful. And conversely, if a product does not work well for me doesn't mean that it is not a good product that might transform the life of another person. That is one reason there are so many options. Different people prefer different things, and that is OK.
+1 and +1 It is like going on vacation. Some folks like the mountains, some the beach, some Las Vegas, some Italy, some cruises, some Europe, some India, etc. So we can tell others what we liked about our vacation, not why they should go there or why their vacation choice was the wrong one.

What I don't get is why some folks who do or don't like Brooks, clipless, MUPs, roads, kick stands, headphones, cycle computers, riding shorts, etc. often feel so compelled to savage the other point of view. It sometimes seems like a desperate need for validation....as if we didn't trust our own decisions. IMHO

What type of shoe were you using (road or MBT)? What type of pedal/cleat were you using?

Clipless pedals take a little getting use to, but they are worth it. In the early 80's when I switched to looks, I probably fell over half a dozen times. But I have to say that I can't imagine riding without them now. I ride looks on my racing bike and spd's on my tandem and fixed gear. If drafting is worth 25%, then clipless pedals are worth at least 15%.

So jp173, what kind of platform pedals are you using?

I have standard cage pedals, but am not thrilled with them. Been thinking of going with something that has more contact area with pins. Something like this one from Nashbar:
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000108&subcategory=60001181&brand=&sku=8042&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Platform%20Pedals

I've seen a variety of these around. Wouldn't mind finding one that is lighter than the one from Nashbar.

I'm happy you're happy. But I'm also amazed. I thought everyone would like clipless once they got used to it.
I rode with cages and cleats for years and when I got clipless (later clipless with a bit of float) I was so happy.
I still remember being a kid and having my foot slip off a pedal and finding my crotch on the top tube. i never want to feel that again, hence, clipless.

So jp173, what kind of platform pedals are you using?

I have standard cage pedals, but am not thrilled with them. Been thinking of going with something that has more contact area with pins. Something like this one from Nashbar:
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000108&subcategory=60001181&brand=&sku=8042&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Platform%20Pedals

I've seen a variety of these around. Wouldn't mind finding one that is lighter than the one from Nashbar.

That looks like what I use...except mine are Wellgo's...

Are those the Wellgo WAM-B25 pedals?

What type of shoe were you using (road or MBT)? What type of pedal/cleat were you using?

Sorry for the delay in responding. I hate it when work gets in the way of my posting.

Anyway, first set was a Sidi Vultano (spelling?) shoe with a Shimano Ultegra pedal. It was PD-66?? or something like that. I got rid of those after about 700 miles and any number of foot slips on the pedal when starting up as well as any number of whole body slips when trying to walk in the road shoes. Not to mention the joys of trying to walk two miles in road shoes when I had a serious mechanical failure on my bike.

The second set was a Shimano Mountain Shoe (not sure of the model, but it looks a lot like the M121G) and a pedal that looks a lot like the Nashbar Rodeo pedal (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000108&subcategory=60001078&brand=&sku=6223&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20ATB%20Clipless%20Pedals). I bought the pedal at my LBS, so I doubt it was a Nashbar brand. Better in terms of foot slipping on startup, but still a royal pain in the a** not to mention even worse on the feet going numb.

One of the things I've discovered is that I'm never going to challenge anybody for a spot in the Tour, nor is it my intention to do so. I like to ride my bike and go places. If others are going faster -- even much faster -- that's great for them. But speed is not the be-all/end-all for my riding. As a result, the extra 2-5% power that clipless may give the most talented and trained rider (according to university-level research quoted by Bicycling Magazine -- not 15-20% as quoted by so many people who ride with clipless) isn't of much use to me.

On the other hand, being able to dismount quickly is of use, as is the ability to walk around once I've dismounted (during last weekend's ride, one of the riders wound up in the hospital after a particularly nasty fall when he slipped in the parking lot while trying to walk fast in his road shoes with cleats). So is the serenity and confidence I have when my feet are not locked in, thus making the ride more enjoyable. Of the most use to me is the ability to ride my bike without serious leg pain and foot numbness.

*****

By the way, the pedal I have on there now is something like the Nashbar cage pedal (no cage of course), but I am thinking about the Nashbar Jaws pedal or the Nashbar Land Cruiser pedal.

*****

Between an earlier Trek 700-series something hybrid (deceased) with flat pedal and an existing Specialized Sirrus with flat pedal (no cages on either), I have about 10,000 miles on flat pedal bikes. I've never once had my foot slip off the pedal, even when standing on the pedals. I live in southwestern CT, and we have more than our fair share of short, sharp hills where it's easier to stand than it is to do a lot of shifting.

I really don't like the combination of a soft sole'd MBT shoe with the tiny SPD cleat.

The hard sole shoe and wide (easy to enter) cleat/pedal are the best combination to me.

To each his own. I really like my Nike MTB shoes and M-520 SPD's. Comfortable, easy to clip in and out of and I can walk around when I'm off the bike just like in regular shoes. Not "road" correct, but hey so what, to each his own right?

I use the Ultegra 6620 pedal, they are nice and wide and I have never slipped off it. In fact I can pedal pretty good if I don't get immediately clipped in. Walking in the cleats for 2 miles would not be fun, I prefer to just wear out a pair of socks instead.

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa32/stonecrd/SHM7PD66.jpg

I was thinking about the Shimano A520, did anybody try them?

Sorry for the delay in responding. I hate it when work gets in the way of my posting.

Anyway, first set was a Sidi Vultano (spelling?) shoe with a Shimano Ultegra pedal. It was PD-66?? or something like that. I got rid of those after about 700 miles and any number of foot slips on the pedal when starting up as well as any number of whole body slips when trying to walk in the road shoes. Not to mention the joys of trying to walk two miles in road shoes when I had a serious mechanical failure on my bike.

The second set was a Shimano Mountain Shoe (not sure of the model, but it looks a lot like the M121G) and a pedal that looks a lot like the Nashbar Rodeo pedal (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000108&subcategory=60001078&brand=&sku=6223&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20ATB%20Clipless%20Pedals). I bought the pedal at my LBS, so I doubt it was a Nashbar brand. Better in terms of foot slipping on startup, but still a royal pain in the a** not to mention even worse on the feet going numb.

One of the things I've discovered is that I'm never going to challenge anybody for a spot in the Tour, nor is it my intention to do so. I like to ride my bike and go places. If others are going faster -- even much faster -- that's great for them. But speed is not the be-all/end-all for my riding. As a result, the extra 2-5% power that clipless may give the most talented and trained rider (according to university-level research quoted by Bicycling Magazine -- not 15-20% as quoted by so many people who ride with clipless) isn't of much use to me.

On the other hand, being able to dismount quickly is of use, as is the ability to walk around once I've dismounted (during last weekend's ride, one of the riders wound up in the hospital after a particularly nasty fall when he slipped in the parking lot while trying to walk fast in his road shoes with cleats). So is the serenity and confidence I have when my feet are not locked in, thus making the ride more enjoyable. Of the most use to me is the ability to ride my bike without serious leg pain and foot numbness.

*****

By the way, the pedal I have on there now is something like the Nashbar cage pedal (no cage of course), but I am thinking about the Nashbar Jaws pedal or the Nashbar Land Cruiser pedal.

*****

Between an earlier Trek 700-series something hybrid (deceased) with flat pedal and an existing Specialized Sirrus with flat pedal (no cages on either), I have about 10,000 miles on flat pedal bikes. I've never once had my foot slip off the pedal, even when standing on the pedals. I live in southwestern CT, and we have more than our fair share of short, sharp hills where it's easier to stand than it is to do a lot of shifting.

+1000
MKS Touring pedals on all bicycles.....
http://www.velo-orange.com/mkstope.html