Clipless pedals vs toe clip

[Yo Spiff]

Well, hang on. I suppose I should add a key point - under MOST conditions, people don't pull up. On steep hills, sprinting, etc, sure. There are limited circumstances. But 99% of the time is what I meant. Sorry, I should have made that clear. There are always exceptions. Always.

Exception here. When I occasionally ride in sneakers, the first habit I have to overcome is pulling my feet off the pedals because I'm trying to pedal in a 360° circle. The downstroke does create more driving force, but I do pull up and back.

[NedClive]

I've got various ankle and knee problems from old climbing accidents and I find that toe clips and stiff soled shoes give me just enough room for slightly different foot positions for comfort through a ride. Can't be too compromised in efficiency as I completed a century with them..... on a fixed gear.......aged 60. I've just refined and refined my riding style over the years and gradually found the best positions to be in. And I only have one bike which I've had for about fifteen years now. I must be a marketing nightmare! If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[ThermionicScott]

I don't use a lot of pulling-up, so toe-clips do the job for me.

FWIW, I'm not a racer or racer wannabe. Just commuting, group rides, and rando-ing.

[TripleAce]

hahahah yea I can see that happening if you pull to hard, and if the shoes are not as tight as they should be

[TripleAce]

Thanks, today I really tried to focus on the pedalling, and I found at times I think I got this flow and I felt like I was distributing power across the fill 360 circle more than usual. And it felt good, fast, and I found I was using less effort this time. I think I might be getting it a little more now. Can wait to be pushing at top gear for most of my rides........And I think I need to change my tires too. I have 700x28c but there not slicks. I think slicks would make a difference and also smaller tires maybe 25c or 23c (i think those are the numbers, not sure).

[mi77915]

I've been using toe clips for about 37 years now and see no need to go clip less. For me, toe clips work GREAT!!!!!

[NedClive]

Thanks, today I really tried to focus on the pedalling, and I found at times I think I got this flow and I felt like I was distributing power across the fill 360 circle more than usual. And it felt good, fast, and I found I was using less effort this time. I think I might be getting it a little more now. Can wait to be pushing at top gear for most of my rides........And I think I need to change my tires too. I have 700x28c but there not slicks. I think slicks would make a difference and also smaller tires maybe 25c or 23c (i think those are the numbers, not sure).

Thinner tyres make a huge difference, and high pressures too will make your riding more efficient. ( I nearly said easier but that isn't necessarily what we want!). Keep experimenting, make notes, fine tune and you'll want to ride more and more.

[seypat]

Yeah, those thinner tires are great until you hit some chipseal or rough backcountry roads. Then you wish you were riding the bigger tires again.

[BJC]

I've been using toe clips for about 37 years now and see no need to go clip less. For me, toe clips work GREAT!!!!!

I have been using toe clips every since 1996 as a commuter/recreational rider during my college days.

Since I have been only a recreational rider since mid-1999, I still use:

ATB cage pedals with toe clips/straps: [img]http://api.ning.com/files/3Uttyt1tDA...t/toeclips.jpg[/img]

low-profile hiking shoes: [img]http://assets.academy.com/mgen/30/10...jpg?is=500,500[/img]

with these inserts: [img]http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01...ages/cover.gif[/img]

It is much cheaper maintenance-wise than SPD/EggBeater-compatible touring shoes with clipless pedals.

[v70cat]

i have a pair of used Dura-Ace 7800 pedals that I will sell you for $50. The pedals are in good condition I upgrade to light weight carbon pedals.