iratecat

Hello, new poster here. ::wave::
I ride to school, about 10 miles each way. There's a huge hill in the middle of my commute path, and if I bike the whole 20-mile round-trip, I am exhausted the next day. Since I'm looking at commuting five days a week by bike, I'm looking for ways to make it easier -- namely, clipless pedals.
My question is, does it really help? I'd like to know before spending huge amounts of money on pedals and shoes.

pasopia

It probably won't make you less tired, but it will make you climb faster. Its night and day for me, and I saw a big performance boost when I switched years back. The benefit is most noticable on hills.

You shouldn't have to spend a fortune. Nashbar has crank brothers smarties for $35, and some cheap shoes too.

https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...pless%20Pedals

konageezer

I just went clipless about three weeks ago (from cages). Hills is where I notice the biggest difference. I just go down a gear from my cruising speed, and spin on up. Makes a huge difference from my old "stand & pound" method.

And I did the whole transition for a hundred and ten bucks, including the pedal wrench.

notfred

Keep doing it five days a week and after a few weeks, it will be easier. That will make a lot more of a difference than the type of pedals you use.

I use clipless pedals too, though. I like them regardless of the grade.

mace2

Keep in mind you're gonna have to be standing on those shoes during the day too... Make sure you get something comfortable. Go and try some on. Not all clipless shoes are good for everyday walking too.

Cyclaholic

Yes, definitely go clipless. You'll recruit muscles into your pedalling that have previously just been along for the ride. The laws of physics dictate that you still need to expend just as much energy to get over the hill but you'll be using more muscles to do so. As for the climb getting easier, the best way for that to happen is to start commuting every day. Within a few weeks it will be easier.

I use Shimano mountain biking shoes and SPD system, probably the cheapest model of shoe they make. The cleat is recessed into the bottom of the shoe and I find them perfectly fine for wearing all day.

goldfishin

make sure to eat whole foods. whole grain type stuff. grass fed beef... etc

referee54

I went clipless this year---I had the toe straps and such---I went with the SPD clips and M-41G shoes. I believe that it makes your pedalling more efficient...at least it has for me.

Pedals---around $50; shoes $80.

Tim C.

mandovoodoo

Big comfort jump compared to old school clips. Big efficiency jump compared to nothing.

However. For commuting, I use https://aebike.com/page.cfm?action=de...=30&SKU=PD5010 power grip. Excellent compromise.

mesasone

I don't think that's entirely true - it is generally true (ignoring drag factor) that it will take the same amount of energy to move you + the bike up the hill, however that is not the same as the amount of energy you exert to get yourself up the hill. I suspect that the clipless pedals will transfer the exerted energy more efficiently, and hopefully mean you spend less energy getting up the same hill (less wasted energy).

I just ordered my first pair of clipless pedals - Shimano m324 (platform on one side, spd on the other), and they are sitting next to me on my desk right now; obviously haven't installed them yet, so I can't speak to how they actually perform. Maybe somebody will more expeirence can.

BCRider

With clipless you can work on pedalling in circles rather than just pushing down. When you get this going it's amazing how much better you can climb or accelerate when needed.

It won't make you any less tired though. Well, maybe a little depending on your style and muscle usage but it won't be a huge difference.

Mostly I like my clipless for the ease of consistently getting my feet into the right place. This lets me concentrate on my pedalling instead of frequently adjusting my feet like I do all the time with my bikes that use platform pedals.

Cyclaholic

I can't quite figure out which bit of my post you think is inaccurate, but that's OK tho, I agree with what you said re. efficiency.

Bottom line, clipless ROCKS!

mesasone

Maybe I'm just argueing semmantics, but my point was if you use your energy more efficency, then you, the rider, will be able to use (expend) less energy to the same effect.

Russ

Question: Should I buy clipless pedals for riding uphill?

Answer: make sure to eat whole foods. whole grain type stuff. grass fed beef... etc

charles vail

No...........they won't help in a truly significant way. The cost will not balance out for the tiny % gain. If your current pedals have traction and your shoes are soft enough to grip you can pedal in circles just fine. I have used toe clips, power grips and SPD 'clipless' and in the last two years I have returned to no retention and large surface area (important) BMX style pedals with traction pins. If you want to climb better get your body weight down, if you are carrying extra. Thats what Lance did and it moved him from a mid packer to a front runner. If your hill is a challenge, lower your gearing so you can maintain a proper cadence. Keep riding and eat and drink correctly, not excessively, just enough of the right stuff. When you are not used to something, it takes a while for you body to recover. You can over train if you push yourself in the beginning. Depending on your age and condition you may need to ramp it down a little. Lowering your gearing will help a bunch to reduce the anaerobic strain on your muscles allowing faster recovery. Most road bike gearing is too high for the average rider. You also may want to get enough sleep if you are exhausted. One other thing to try is to purposely tone down your pace by about 15-20% and see if that allows you to recover better. Often we bike nuts are prone to throw good money at gadgets and 'super light component thinking', when what we really need is some common sense.

rickyaustin

Just change shoes when you get there.



p.s. YES get the clipless. Pedaling 360 degrees will help on the hills.

tjspiel

Everyone I know who's gone clipless recommends it. Why do you think your experience is different?
It's just an observation but a number of your posts seem anti new-tech. Maybe I've misunderstood.

I had the unfortunate experience of once developing cramps in my calves on a longer and hilly ride because I was pointing my toes in order to "grip" the pedals on the upstroke. I would think clipless would let me keep my feet flat and still allow me to pull up.

It's all theory to me because I haven't gone clipless yet, but I have used clips and power grips.

cyclezealot

You have to decide for yourself if you are comfortable in clipless. As for me, its going up the hills where I most need going clipless. More efficient energy transfer. So thats where you need it the most.

DataJunkie

It will help. Perhaps not as much as you think but it makes a difference. I have a splayed right foot and without clipless pedals I have issues keeping my foot on the pedal. Plus, they make it easier to spin faster and it feels a tad more secure when you are standing out of the saddle. One would not want their foot to slip off the pedal while standing. Tis a good way to rack yourself.

cyberpep

First of all I really like using clipless and they have improved my overall pedalling style. I now pedal much more efficently than before.
How high and long is your "hugh hill" and what type of bike are you riding?
Maybe you are just not gearing down low enough to keep your pedalling cadance at a comfortable rate.
I can climb a hill much better when I am using the drop position on the handle bars, it keeps the front of the bike down on the road and more of my work is being used to pedal. If your bike requires a more upright riding position then you will find that as you pedal a lot of work is wasted as you unknowingly will be pulling up on the front of the bike.
Keep up your riding and in no time you will be climbing that hill without even noticing it.

alpinist

I went clipless a week ago. So far I like them a lot. I went with mountain bike shoes, because people told me they are easier to walk in. They weren't kidding. It's not just a matter of changing shoes when I get to my destination... I walk from the parking garage to the shower room, and I don't just ride to work and back! I went on a 35 mile ride yesterday and stopped a couple of times along the way. Good to have shoes that I can walk in when I ride my bike to the store, or I stop in a coffee shop during a ride. Don't have to carry shoes, don't have to change.

Torrilin

I'd tend to bet against the pedals making a substantial improvement. (that doesn't mean they're bad or useless)

When I'm exhausted the day after a ride, it's because I pushed my mileage over "normal". If I do a 20 mile ride, I'll be tired the next day since right now my body thinks 12-14 is the max that is ok in a day. If I do a 40 mile week, I'll be tired since right now my body thinks 35ish is ok. As I keep pushing mileage, my body will change its tune. It won't take me long to get up to 50 or 60 mile weeks if I work at it.

The biggest difference in your energy level will come when you're comfortable doing 120-140 mile weeks (or more), and a 30-40 mile ride is tiring. At that point, your body will handle a daily 20 mile ride as Perfectly Normal.

If the pedals work to motivate you for more miles, they're worth it. If learning to use clipless will make you anxious or reluctant to use the bike, they're not worth it at all. It's the time in the saddle that will get you improvement, not the pedals.

alpinist

I find that the biggest difference for me is on longer rides. A little easier and a lot faster. I like them a lot for the longer rides. Somewhat for commuting. My pedals have platforms on one side and SPDs on the other, so when I'm just going to the store or the coffee shop, I can just go in my sandals - no need for the bike shoes. Great having that option.

becnal

Yes, clipless are great. Go for it!

charles vail

I know a bunch of folks like them and believe they help but I've tried them as well as other forms of foot retention and maybe its just me but I don't notice an improvement at all. Perhaps I have an efficient pedaling style or maybe I'm just using the right gearing, I don't know. With my newest combo, I have never had foot slippage riding out of the saddle or anytime for that matter. Keep in mind that with the right outer shoe sole a BMX pin pedal will grip really nice and still allow an easy off when you want it. I've read numerous stories of riders falling over, mostly at slow speeds, while clipped and even a few where their cleat screws either sheared or came loose, causing them to crash. This happened to a pro in the TDF, during a final sprint a couple of years ago. Foot retention isn't 100% secure with clip less since you have to maintain the system, shoes and all. To me it seems like another added expense with diminishing returns, when my regular pedals allow me to ride in any shoe I happen to have on and for any weather. In short, its just easier and less hassle to hop on and go. Its probably the reason why I also migrated to a solid leather saddle since I don't need special shorts to make my ride tolerable. I'm reminded of the millions of Chinese and the Dutch commuters when I start thinking I need special clothing to ride my bike. Either way, its good to be on the bike.