Branimir

Seems to me that most of the folks here use clipless pedals, why are toe clip pedals considered obsolete these days? Are clipless that better? I know when it comes to racing, everything counts, but for the sake of 30 or 40miles per day - do they make difference?

TSUTexan93

Besides the added stability and security of being clipped in, the shoes needed have a very rigid sole that provides more efficient energy transfer.

MONGO!

Get clipless, you'll be glad you did.

dutret

ease of entry and exit, security, float, availability of shoes and cleats, ... yes clipless is substantially better for pretty much any type of riding.

Branimir

Well I need a new bike then , this wreck that I ride, usually is for everything, from commuting to work or long rides... heh

Guess shoes for clipless pedals aren't for walking, right?

San Rensho 

About the only people that seriously use toe clips (I'm not counting the fixie hipsters here) are matched sprint track racers, because clipless pedals won't hold with the amount of force they generate. But its hard to find good shoes/pedals for toe clips so I would go with clipless.

2Tired2Shift

Because they ARE obsolete.

AEO

I still see some toe clip pedals on some trainers at the gym. And with a lot of clipless pedals you don't have to worry about which side is up.

grahny

You can walk in SPD's & mtn bike shoes no prob.

Bobsled

To the OP, once you get used to the clipless, they're sooo easy to get into. I use speedplays myself.

vic32amg

I find toe strap thingy's more dangerous than clippless. way more dangerous.

KevinF

I think the biggest difference between clipless and toe-clip systems is the ease of exiting them. If toe-clips are properly tightened, it is not possible to pull out of them by pulling your foot backwards -- you need to slow down, loosen the strap, then pull your foot out. Needless to say, very few people have their toe clips as tight as they're supposed to be. Clipless systems -- just twist your foot off and you're out.

CastIron

Clipless on all rigs for all weather. Frankly I can't fathom why clips are still in use and haven't heard a reason yet that made me reconsider.

mentat6059

my wife just switched from clipped to clipless (birthday present) and after a days riding she wonders why shed didnt do it earlier. She finds that it improves her pedal stroke and power.

Jesper64

I just swapped to clipless from toe clips and as the poster above noted it makes a world of difference. I also find it alot easier to clip into clipless pedals than to swing the toe cage around and get my foot into it.

MONGO!

I have Shimano MTB shoes and can walk around fine.

Road shoes I would not recommend walking far in.

icon

Agreed. Clipless is easier and safer to get into and stay in when you want to stay in. I think it would be kind of harder to accelerate from a traffic light with clipped pedals. Don't you think?

MONGO!

Back in the day I didn't have any trouble acclerating form lights with clips, but what clipless gives you is the ability to pedal all the way around.

On a good day I can soft pedal at 17-20 mph, no way could I do that with clips.

alanbikehouston

My favorite pedals are BMX-style pedals. The best models, such as the Nitto "Sneaker" pedal, provide full support for a three inch by three inch portion of the foot (nine square inches) compared with the ONE square inch of support provided by some "pro" style pedals.

These pedals enable you to place your feet exactly where you want them, slide your feet forward a bit for sprinting, or slide them back a bit for slower "spinning". Your feet stay EXACTLY where you put them, yet it is easy to lift your foot and move to a new position when you chose.

Because your feet are not "locked" into one position, you are not putting the constant stress on your knees that has led to so many pro cyclists getting knee surgery.

BMX pedals work with any sort of shoe, and any sort of sandal, so you are ready for a ride to the beach, or a ride to a job that requires "dressy" shoes.

BMX pedals have two serious disadvantages: most roadies think they are too weak to pedal up a hill if their bike weighs half a pound more than its current weight. Second, the whole point of being a "roadie" is to dress and LOOK just like a "pro"...and no pro is gonna ride with BMX pedals.

By the way, "fans" of clip-in pedals claim that these pedals allow them to "pull up" on the pedal and thereby increase their cadence. However lab studies show the opposite: regardless of the type of pedal we use, ALL cyclists put some DOWNWARD pressure on the pedal that is rising...

It turns out, cadence is simply a function of leg speed...Lance would be able to maintain his regular 100 RPM plus cadence with good BMX pedals, and his grandma would be stuck at 50 RPM's using Dura-Ace racing pedals.

531Aussie

Looks like I'll have to keep defending toe-clips 'til the day I die, even though I doubt I'll ever use them again because they hurt my feet, and are more of a pain to use and maintain. I still sometimes miss them when I'm in the middle of a smashfest.

There's so much BS going around about toe-clips.

The only REAL reason clipless pedals took over is because they're MUCH more comfortable.

Clipless pedals are not "more efficient" than toe-clips, nor do they make you faster
If anything, I'd argue than straps and clips are more efficient because good straps and properly fitted clips hold the foot down like nothing else, but greater comfort (with clipless) is worth having a slightly less secure attachment.

Shoes for toe-clips could be less rigid than modern shoes, because the pedal platforms were a lot larger. The old shoes also didn't have to be as firm, because the clips and straps diod the majority of the work of holding the foot down

Clipless pedals are only about comfort and ease of use (and the extra float can help some people), and have nothing to do with pedaling 'better' or faster...

THE END

Even the great G.L. decided to "improve his efficiency" and "security" by putting straps over his clipless Times. Maybe that's why he rode one of the fastest ever time-trials

531Aussie

AAAAAGH!! HOW and why********** Crikey. You must've forgot to do the straps up

Ritehsedad

I did. I am.

SDRider

Having grown up riding bikes with toe clips and logging thousands of miles on such bikes I can definitely say that clipless is the way to go for all forms of cycling from recreational to commuting to mtb to racing. Spend a couple days riding with both if you like but once you start out from a light a few times and realize that it's kind of a pain to reach down and cinch up that strap everytime you start up you'll quickly see the light.

Clipless is definitely the way to go.

superslomo

Clipless on the road/touring bike, toe clips on the beater/commuter/errand bike. The latter is set up to make it completely compatible with street clothes and normal shoes, which I like for certain purposes.

SDRider

Personally, I'd probably equip the errand bike with SPD pedals and find a bike shoe that you can walk around in. I commute on my road bikes in my cycling clothes and shower when I get to work.