pharmboyrx

I went riding with a friend of mine. He's a small 5'3" fit, athletic build male and did the STP last year. I'm 6'2" 165lbs. I'm in pretty good shape. I cruise around 18mph on most of my rides and can keep up with the 30mph 30 mile local hammerfest for about 10-15 minutes before getting droppped and finishing with the 22mph B group paceline.

He and I went for a 20 mile ride the other day, averaged 18.5mph. The difference between us is that I use clipless pedals and he has platforms and sneakers with no cages or straps. We even did a couple of sprints to lights one of which topped out at 34mph and he was right even with me.

I love my clipless pedals and he hates being tied down. It doesn't seem to affect his performance though!

It just made me think about the $150 I spent on my shoes and pedals. I've worked on my spin so much and love being able to get power through the whole revolution. It killed me that he could keep up with me no matter how hard I pushed. However I did benefit because I got a great workout.

johnny99

The efficiency and comfort advantages of real cycling shoes will be more evident on longer rides.

Dead Roman

he would be significantly faster than you if he had cycling shoes on. He would just be able to use more of his pedal stroke.

Psimet2001 

Tiger Woods could kick the crap out of me in a round of golf with only a wedge and a putter.

So could the local pro.

"It's not about the bike." <sorry...cheesy phrase>

Take your pedals off, replace with platforms (heck an LBS will probably give you a set for free, and go hang with your hammer fest. Say "Hi!" each time they pass you....

oboeguy

I had a similar feeling when during a very hill brevet populaire of 188km, a local guy who does the longer distances too (I think he maybe riding Boston-Montreal-Boston) passed me and my two companions like we were standing still. He was riding an old steel fixed gear bike, wearing sneakers... going uphill. I think we got ahead of him because either he or his riding buddy (who passed us too) had had a flat tire. Sure, my bike is "old" (8 years, haha) and steel, but wow did that guy impress me (and later I found out about his other exploits).

.:Jimbo:.

Also, i've come to the conclusion, that cycling shoes aren't mcuh of a power tool, but more so in comfort. In addition i feel less fatigue with clipless, where i will get to the top of the hill, and where i used to be out of breath with straps, clipless gets me to the top just as fast, yet it feels so much more effortless.

So while you pal was keeping pace with you, he was probably more tired, and definetly putting out alot more power to keep up, and had he had clipless, that power would hve propelled him further ahead of you.

larue

It's simple, he is better than you.

Psimet2001 

Yeah we were just trying to be nicer about it....Shirley you can't be serious....

mayukawa

I don't find much difference between clipless and platforms when it comes to delivering power to the pedals. Most of the power to drive the bike comes from the downstroke. I find pulling up on the pedals inefficient-->it's more efficient to just "unload" your leg going up while your other leg is powering down. One main advantage with clipless pedals is that your feet stay in place when you're spinning at a high cadence (and on less load). Of course the advantage with platforms is that you can move your feet slightly around the pedal axes to work different muscles easily.

biker7

+1
I have ridden both ways quite a bit and honestly don't think I am much faster clipped in. I think there are merits to each. When I am cruising I don't notice much difference. I do climb better clipped in as I can be very aggressive with my pedal stroke without having my foot fly off the pedal in a climb. For racing, clipless is the ticket...not so much for a power advantage but for the security of keeping your feet on the pedals. Most of us have ridden with fast riders who wear tennis shoes.
FWIW both you and your friend are strong riders if you can sprint to 34 mph.
Cheers,
George

daytonian

I'd like to see your platform friend after a few steep climbs. That's were clipless makes a big diff.

larue

Sorry I forgot the big grin smiley!

binderbolt

The power comes from the shoes. Good cycling shoes transfer more power from your larger leg muscle groups without fatiguing your calf muscles and stabilizers. I would agree that most people utilize only their down stroke, so the fact that your clipped in is less important.

Psimet2001 

I know I was just playing with your tag line above your avatar...