Thinking about going clipless.
10-09-14, 05:54 PM
#76
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Well now I'm just depressed as apparently I'm less coordinated then the average cyclist. It takes me more thought and effort to get into and out of clips or clipless than it does platforms, and I've had a few OH-S### moments because of it. At least I can get out of clips without any conscious effort.
I guess that's why I immediately liked pinned pedals, I can just hop on and go under any conditions, yet my foot stays in place like I'm clipped. For me, up pull is moot as I only ride at that level on my play bike for fun.
I guess that's why I immediately liked pinned pedals, I can just hop on and go under any conditions, yet my foot stays in place like I'm clipped. For me, up pull is moot as I only ride at that level on my play bike for fun.
10-09-14, 07:33 PM
#77
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But that last sentence is a huge add-on - a good fitter is not cheap, and fitting yourself properly is not simple. It's a bit like talking about an odd car then adding on "...especially if you're an auto mechanic".
It's not a motion that's used almost anywhere else that your leg moves while affixed to exactly the same point over and over again. Usually the leg moves around about how and where it hits as you use it. Like in running, walking, etc. When you're attached to the pedal in exactly the same spot all the time, what could otherwise be a minor problem in leg motion that your body would work out by using the leg slightly differently over time, turns into a exactly repeated motion that turns into a problem. What I mean is - a minor problem can turn into a bigger problem because of the exacting repetition.
Riding clipless is not natural. But in now way does that mean that it's inherently "bad". Surgery isn't natural either, but it's a huge benefit to people with diseases to people who it helps move around better. Likewise, if your body layout is good it can be fine. Or if someone who knows what they're doing sets things up, the posters above certainly suggest that it could even fix a problem if your "natural" motion is somehow screwed up.
But on average, minor problems that your body would adjust to by shifting your foot position around a bit as you ride can turn into noticeable pain on clipless because your foot is always locked into the same position. If your position is good with your body layout - no problem. If it's not, it amplifies what would otherwise be a problem so small it was unnoticeable.
That's my understanding, at least.
It's not a motion that's used almost anywhere else that your leg moves while affixed to exactly the same point over and over again. Usually the leg moves around about how and where it hits as you use it. Like in running, walking, etc. When you're attached to the pedal in exactly the same spot all the time, what could otherwise be a minor problem in leg motion that your body would work out by using the leg slightly differently over time, turns into a exactly repeated motion that turns into a problem. What I mean is - a minor problem can turn into a bigger problem because of the exacting repetition.
Riding clipless is not natural. But in now way does that mean that it's inherently "bad". Surgery isn't natural either, but it's a huge benefit to people with diseases to people who it helps move around better. Likewise, if your body layout is good it can be fine. Or if someone who knows what they're doing sets things up, the posters above certainly suggest that it could even fix a problem if your "natural" motion is somehow screwed up.
But on average, minor problems that your body would adjust to by shifting your foot position around a bit as you ride can turn into noticeable pain on clipless because your foot is always locked into the same position. If your position is good with your body layout - no problem. If it's not, it amplifies what would otherwise be a problem so small it was unnoticeable.
That's my understanding, at least.
10-09-14, 07:40 PM
#78
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Seventy-two years old here. I've been riding clipless for over a year with a touch under 6000 miles since then. I fell over once the first day I tried clipless, none since then. My right hip angles out more than my left; the SPDs hold the shoe in the exact same place each time I ride. It took a bit of experimentation (and two fittings) but now each ride is fine. Unclipping in an emergency comes naturally.
Rich
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..life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. ― Andy Rooney ...enjoy what's left!
10-09-14, 09:22 PM
#79
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I currently own mountain bike shoes (clipless). I walked a mile home this summer due to a flat (long story, my dad wanted to fix the flat at home rather than where we were for some reason) in mountain bike shoes, and it was uncomfortable. Doeable, but uncomfortable. There's no way I'd walk any significant distance in them. I've gone grocery shopping in them - they worked ok, a little slippery. And I've used softer soled clipless - they gave me more knee pain as the cleat squirmed around (that part may not happen to everyone), and they're not as useful as clipless with a stiff sole for power transfer either. They also have a fashion problem sometimes, depending on what else you're wearing.
I can't be sure since I don't live in Europe, but it seems like wearing clipless being a fashion item (which seems to be most of the people going for pro-clipless for a 4 mile commute in this thread) is a fairly american thing. Whenever I see videos of people commuting in Europe, in the countries where bike commuting is a regular source of transportation rather than a niche racer-oriented thing like it is here, I don't think I ever see people wearing clipless (people who aren't racing).
There's a reason - because clipless for speed isn't useful at all for short distances. It's debated whether it actually improves your speed on long distances for racers even. (Not weighing in that it does or it doesn't.) It certainly isn't going to improve your speed if the max distance you ever ride is 4 miles. I guess you could debate whether you prefer the "connected to the pedal" feel of clipless, but I just can't imagine it being worth the hassle if the longest you ever ride is 4 miles. It doesn't seem like in countries where bike commuting is common, that people there are claiming clipless is at all necessary if you're not racing.
I can't be sure since I don't live in Europe, but it seems like wearing clipless being a fashion item (which seems to be most of the people going for pro-clipless for a 4 mile commute in this thread) is a fairly american thing. Whenever I see videos of people commuting in Europe, in the countries where bike commuting is a regular source of transportation rather than a niche racer-oriented thing like it is here, I don't think I ever see people wearing clipless (people who aren't racing).
There's a reason - because clipless for speed isn't useful at all for short distances. It's debated whether it actually improves your speed on long distances for racers even. (Not weighing in that it does or it doesn't.) It certainly isn't going to improve your speed if the max distance you ever ride is 4 miles. I guess you could debate whether you prefer the "connected to the pedal" feel of clipless, but I just can't imagine it being worth the hassle if the longest you ever ride is 4 miles. It doesn't seem like in countries where bike commuting is common, that people there are claiming clipless is at all necessary if you're not racing.
10-09-14, 09:30 PM
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10-09-14, 10:09 PM
#81
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I think that the biggest difference between preference of platform and attached is riding style. I would venture a guess that aggressive, fast riders prefer to attach their foot. More leisurely riders likely prefer platforms. This is in no way a blanket statement, just a hypothesis.
I think this is why many mountain bikers and racers prefer clipless. Except the downhill riders out here who all seem to use use pinned platforms. But I have seen my lab mates leg after a pedal strike and it is not pretty.
Some people adapt to new things better and are more adapt than others. Therefore clipless can be a challenge for some and second nature for others.
Ultimately it is personal preference and what one gets used to. I personally ride aggressive and fast compared to most commuters I see; I use clipless.
I think this is why many mountain bikers and racers prefer clipless. Except the downhill riders out here who all seem to use use pinned platforms. But I have seen my lab mates leg after a pedal strike and it is not pretty.
Some people adapt to new things better and are more adapt than others. Therefore clipless can be a challenge for some and second nature for others.
Ultimately it is personal preference and what one gets used to. I personally ride aggressive and fast compared to most commuters I see; I use clipless.
10-10-14, 07:22 AM
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I ride clipless if I'm going for a long ride on a bike trail or country roads. Constantly clipping in and out at traffic lights get old after awhile.
10-10-14, 08:02 AM
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Platform pedals are most practical and easiest to use for urban/city commuting. My foot has never slipped off the pedals... I also like to use toe clips with straps on my fixed gear bikes. Toe clips/straps give you the same performance as clipless, and you can wear whatever shoes you want. For everyday commuting which involves very frequent stops and dismounts clipless offers no advantages, my toe clips/straps are adjusted just tight enough to get benefits of foot retention but loose enough to pull my shoe out quickly.
It's not like I haven't given them a chance. I've had them on 3 separate bikes. I find clipless much easier to get into. And I have a platform on the other side of the pedal on my fixed gear so if I don't want to deal with special shoes, I don't need to. Yes, I know. Some people don't like "campus" pedals. I do.
I will agree that in most situations any performance benefits from clipless on short to medium commutes is probably not worth it. But you may want clipless pedals for other reasons like I do, though there's plenty of days I stick to platforms.
And honestly I could care less what somebody halfway across the world does on their commute. There are people I see in my own town who've made completely different choices than I have. I've certainly tried several different types of pedals and ridden a bunch of different types of bikes. I ride what I like.
I had a neighbor from the Netherlands. He was a good friend, but eventually he moved back because he wanted to raise his kids around his family. Anyway, his commute was shorter than mine, but do you know what he rode to work while he lived here? A Honda Civic.
Last edited by tjspiel; 10-10-14 at 08:59 AM.
10-10-14, 08:43 AM
#85
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I have a Parisian colleague working in London and the first thing he's doing in SF is being a huge car and renting a large house!
10-10-14, 02:46 PM
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Fixed gear riding is a totaly different thing. Foot retention is necessary on a FG for safety reasons. I can justify the use of clipless on a fixie if someone doesn't like toe clips and straps, personally I prefer toe clips with straps because I can wear whatever shoes I want... It's also a lot easier to track stand on a fixie , so there is no need to take a foot of the pedals everytime I stop.
10-10-14, 05:26 PM
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I don't think I've ever seen a cyclist do a nice clean track stand in real life while stopped at an intersection. Track standing is a useful skill, but majority of cyclist don't have a desire to practise it and learn how to do it.
10-10-14, 10:19 PM
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Personally I use BMX pedals, which are not intended for use with toe clips. Slippage has never been an issue, except for the desirable intentional kind, i.e., the ability to move my foot fore and aft on the pedal as appropriate when the road grade changes.
10-10-14, 10:27 PM
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Are you sure?
Personally I use BMX pedals, which are not intended for use with toe clips. Slippage has never been an issue, except for the desirable intentional kind, i.e., the ability to move my foot fore and aft on the pedal as appropriate when the road grade changes.
Personally I use BMX pedals, which are not intended for use with toe clips. Slippage has never been an issue, except for the desirable intentional kind, i.e., the ability to move my foot fore and aft on the pedal as appropriate when the road grade changes.
10-10-14, 10:29 PM
#92
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Platform pedals are most practical and easiest to use for urban/city commuting. My foot has never slipped off the pedals... I also like to use toe clips with straps on my fixed gear bikes. Toe clips/straps give you the same performance as clipless, and you can wear whatever shoes you want. For everyday commuting which involves very frequent stops and dismounts clipless offers no advantages, my toe clips/straps are adjusted just tight enough to get benefits of foot retention but loose enough to pull my shoe out quickly.
And yes I have used my SPD shoes and pedals on a 4 mile ride. I ride to my parents house sometimes, 8 miles round trip, and sometimes I take my road bike. I prefer how my road bike feels and rides when clipped in, so I use my SPD shoes even though it's only a short ride.
10-10-14, 10:39 PM
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I would hypothesize that riders who get into (or back into) urban riding from a road racing (whether or not they actually raced), mountain biking, or fixed gear background tend to use clipless, while those who started out as urban riders (not riding fixed gear) tend to use some sort of flat pedals.
Last edited by Jaywalk3r; 10-10-14 at 11:05 PM. Reason: modify hypothesis
10-10-14, 10:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Sheldon Brown
There is a tendency to misuse the term "platform pedal" to refer to plain pedals that have no provision for holding the foot in place.
10-10-14, 10:49 PM
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I ride aggressive and fast compared to most commuters I see; I use BMX pedals. (They could be more accurately described as nubbed than spiked!)
I would hypothesize that riders who get into urban riding from a road racing (whether or not they actually raced) or mountain biking background tend to use clipless, while those who started out as urban riders tend to use some sort of flat pedals.
I would hypothesize that riders who get into urban riding from a road racing (whether or not they actually raced) or mountain biking background tend to use clipless, while those who started out as urban riders tend to use some sort of flat pedals.
This proves everyone had their own preferences
10-10-14, 11:02 PM
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I would modify my hypothesis to include fixed gear backgrounds along with road racing and mountain biking backgrounds though. I don't know if that would encapsulate you or not.
10-11-14, 01:04 AM
#98
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Hi! Original OP here!! You know, I hadn't any idea what pinned pedals were and just now looked them up. Perfect for the guy or gal sporting mohawk haircuts with countless body piercings and tattoos of gory scenes all over thier bodies. Not my style.
Anyway lots of food for thought here. thank you all. So educational!
Be sure to catch my next topic for discussion next week, "thinking about a bottle cage".
Later!
Corben.
Anyway lots of food for thought here. thank you all. So educational!
Be sure to catch my next topic for discussion next week, "thinking about a bottle cage".
Later!
Corben.
Last edited by Corben; 10-11-14 at 01:12 AM.
10-11-14, 08:27 PM
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Bottle cage??? No, "should I wear a helmet" is flame bait.
The best threads are where people share their preference for X, what they like about it, their riding situation and then let the person who asked the question decide which factors/features apply to their situation. Variety is the spice of life!
The best threads are where people share their preference for X, what they like about it, their riding situation and then let the person who asked the question decide which factors/features apply to their situation. Variety is the spice of life!
10-11-14, 08:51 PM
#100
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