Commuting - clipless or cages?

Just starting to really get ready for a commute a couple times a week and was wondering what most people prefer, cages or clipless pedals to get in and out of. I have been road cycling for a while and have done some mnt. biking and have experience with both although it does seem easier to pull out of a cage more quickly when need be.

I never really got on with cages. So long as the SPDs are 'both directional release thingy system', you can't go far wrong.

Just starting to really get ready for a commute a couple times a week...
Congratulations. :thumbup:

My commuter is my old road bike (Raleigh R600) with Shimano M535 pedals (mtn).
I use these rather than clips because (IMHO) two-sided clipless is much easier to get into and out of, especially when riding on a busy road. And we have lots of those in Atlanta. :cry:

I have Lake MX100 shoes and just ordered a pair of Sidi Forest shoes so walking into work isn't a "problem" (clip-clop) . :D

Let us know how your commute goes. You'll find it addicting. ;)

Originally posted by sunnybear
...it does seem easier to pull out of a cage more quickly when need be.
I can only speak for SPD's, but I have found that getting out of SPD's is quicker than getting out of clips-and-straps that are tight enough to increase pedal power. And getting in is easier, too.

I like both systems, but I lean toward clipless despite the need for special shoes.

A small side-benefit of clipless: I don't remember if I read it here or on a news service--I think the latter. An alert cop spotted a bike rider parking a bike with clipless pedals. The rider had on normal shoes. A little questioning resulted in recovery of a stolen bike! :D

I use mini clips (the strapless ones) on bear cages, but admittedly a big factor was cost ;)

Richard

If you have a long commute, then the extra efficiency of clipless may be helpfull. If you are under 5 miles, the efficiency difference is negligible.

I have cycled for hours in clips, with stiff sports shoes and hiking shoes, and never had a problem. Swift exits have saved me from saveral spills on and off road.

Both systems need correct technique and footwear. Clip technique seems to be a dying skill these days. People try it the wrong way, find it hard, and think they don't work.
For clips, you need shoes with a clean profile and non-knobbly sole, so nothing snags. Dont cinch the straps tight; if you want that effieciency, go clipless.

With clips, you can wear any footwear, from cycling shoes , waterproof hiking shoes, to light hiking boots for colder weather.

Good winter clipless shoes are usually top of the range and very expensive.

Originally posted by MichaelW
If you have a long commute, then the extra efficiency of clipless may be helpfull. If you are under 5 miles, the efficiency difference is negligible. ...

With clips, you can wear any footwear, from cycling shoes , waterproof hiking shoes, to light hiking boots for colder weather.

Good winter clipless shoes are usually top of the range and very expensive.
Very good points. Everytime I put my clipless shoes on I think, "What a nuisance."

Actually, I only put my clipless (SPD) pedals back on the MTB after I broke a pedal cage and the clip wouldn't attach any more. Otherwise I'd probably still be riding with conventional pedals, clips, and straps. Even though, as I said, I give the edge to SPD overall. Sometimes one advantage (wearing whatever shoes I wish) outweighs a number of others.

I use SPD's and MTB shoes (or sandals) on my touring bikes for commuting (26mi RT). I wouldn't be wearing my work shoes on the bike anyway, so there's no extra shoe-change involved.

I find that SPD's are much easier to get out of in an emergency than the clips/straps I used since I was a teenager in the 60's.

In summer I do sometimes just wear my SPD sandals all day, though.

RichC

I still like the verstility of clips and straps, since I do both utility and recreational cycling. I keep the straps just loose enough to allow me to pull my feet straight out. I am afraid to change just the Bianchi to clipless, lest I forget the right release motion at an inopportune moment, and I am not up for changing all four bikes right now. I find it very easy to clip in -- push down with the already-clipped right foot, flip the left pedal cage backward using the little prong on the back surface, point the left toe downward a bit, and slide in. I can generally clip in on the first left downstroke; if not, I accelerate with the pedal upside down for a couple of strokes and try again.

I went with clipless SPD pedals about four years ago and I have seen no reason to ever go back to anything else. I've done commuting, touring and god only knows what else in the things and have found them to be extremely versatile.

I used to have a nice set of superbe pro pedals with campy clips which I used with two leather straps, tracky style. The first time I ripped out of this setup, I decided to try Mavic clipless pedals.

I'd recommend SPDs for normal commuting, as you can walk easier in them than look-type pedals, and using clips causes you to have funny feet too...if you want speed, that is.

Great ride in this morning...snow and sun too! Glad I've got my nokkian tyres back on, even though I ride slower with them.

Ride fast, but safely,
Tom

Originally posted by John E
I still like the verstility of clips and straps...to clip in -- push down with the already-clipped right foot, flip the left pedal cage backward using the little prong on the back surface, point the left toe downward a bit, and slide in. I can generally clip in on the first left downstroke; if not, I accelerate with the pedal upside down for a couple of strokes and try again.
"Retrogrouch" :)

I take issue with you, John. You must "push down with the already-clipped left foot, flip the right pedal cage backward...

;)

(So far, we already have two Brits on our side!

:D

I always insert my right foot first and then spend the next hundred yards trying to get my left foot clipped in. (Well, I exaggerate. But sometimes it seems to take that long.)

I do like both systems, but one thing about clips and straps that gives me trouble is getting clipped in (left foot) when riding uphill:

Flip as I may,
Gravity has its way.



:(

Maybe its because Ive been using clips since I was 14, but I have no problem getting my feet in, on hills or any other conditions. At the very most, I pedal once or twice on the reverse side, then get into the cage when Im moving.

My hybrid bike has cages, my touring bike SPD, and my road bike Look. Look and SPD I find equally comfortable. As long as you can rotate out of the pedals in both directions. So far I have never experienced any problems.
As to my cages on my hybrid, I find them awkard and not really effective in the pedal pull up phase. Worst I do not like about cages- when I ride them I find rarely do I feel really comfortable in standing. I stand far less with the cages. Do not feel as secure standing.
Standing on pedals relieves back and arms in that the change of position feels great for a change and miss the ocassional extra pull of standing on a steep hill.

My touring bike has regular pedals on one side of the pedal and spd on the other. I don't use the spd but they're nice to have in case of long training rides.

Go clipless if you can afford it.

You won't ever look back.

Originally posted by diamondback
My touring bike has regular pedals on one side of the pedal and spd on the other. I don't use the spd but they're nice to have in case of long training rides.

I have these too. I use the spd about 95% of the time, but the alternative is nice for the 5 minute lunchtime errands when I can't be bothered to change shoes.

Ellie

I had strap type pedals but falls were never much fun...

So I changed to the Half Clip without straps and that works great for me, you can lift just a little with them and they position your foot into the proper place each time, they are spring steel and work nice, not sure where I can buy another pair as I have a new bike arriving this coming week and they have the LOOK pedal system on board. I'm NOT convinced in an emergency situation that I could in an INSTANT be able to remove my foot as quickly as the Half Clip setup! Most of my riding is in town riding, running errands and many stops are encountered...

If someone knows who might sell the Half Clip toe clips please post a link or email me as I'll need to buy them as well as the pedals to fit onto my R500 Cannondale bike that is crusing my way on Monday....hopefully!

;)
G2

Like most people here I mainly use SPD's, for city riding, they are fantastic and clipping in and out is automatic, very easy. I don't like to ride with my Look pedals in the city as they are a bit trickier to clip in when starting out, with traffic on my tail. The Look's are also a bit difficult when starting on an incline, because if the foot doesn't engage it will slide straight across the pedal.

CHEERS.

Mark

I'm a cheap bastard so I use clips. I can get out of them really easy but getting into them is more difficult. I need more work on my technique but I believe that the skill can be acquired to make it easy. There is some slop in the lift but I keep my straps very loose for quick ejection. The high price of clipless and the idea of having my feet tied down in a crash keeps me away from clipless but I may try them one day.

Originally posted by Greg
Go clipless if you can afford it.

You won't ever look back.

I second this one. I would add that it only takes about $60 to get into some decent SPD pedals and shoes.

BR

Originally posted by diamondback
My touring bike has regular pedals on one side of the pedal and spd on the other. I don't use the spd but they're nice to have in case of long training rides.

This is the solution I used on my hybrid comfort bike. I wanted to be able to grab it and take off without worrying about shoes. However, I have found out after a year that I have never used the regular pedal side. It may still happen, but hasn't yet. So I do find I hae to look down and flip it over every time I ride it.

New road bike is double sided SPD. Like it a lot.

Carl

Originally posted by Brian Ratliff


I second this one. I would add that it only takes about $60 to get into some decent SPD pedals and shoes.

BR

Can you make some recommendations for equipment in this price range? Links would be useful if you've got them.

You can go SPD very inexpensively through Nashbar, you can get pedals, nashbar model NR-PDL for around $30.00 and close out shoes for under $50.00. These little pedals are the greatest bargain out there. Everyone I recomend them to loves them. I have been riding a set on a trainer for over 5 years, they have around 20,000 trainer miles on them and are still as tight as new.

I feel like I'm spitting in the wind, but...

I use big ol' beartrap flats on my commuter, and I love it. Nothing beats the ingress/egress speed on those units.

Knuckle