Originally Posted by
neil
I often wonder - I see a lot of people comparing clipless to platforms, but I'm wondering what people who've gone from toe-clips to clipless feel about it. I've always used toe-clips, and they seem to offer the same benefits that the proponents of clipless mention. Also, I think that having to bring an extra pair of shoes everywhere I go would be a pain in the ass. So has anyone done that switch and thinks the benefits are worth it?
I had more problems getting my feet in and out of toe clips than I ever have with clipless. I went from open platforms as a kid, to toe clips with tennis shoes, to toe clips with riding shoes as a teenager (I really cinched them down tight), to clipless (spd) as a young adult. There is really no comparison.....clipless is just all around better, IMO. Better power transfer, better control of the bike, better release, more comfortable, etc., etc. The shoes are really only an issue if you let it be. Choose a more relaxed, walking oriented riding shoe with a good footbed and you don't need to carry any other shoes. I'm perfectly comfortable wearing my riding shoes at the office, grociery store, farmers' market, bike shop......
I have no problems unclipping to put a foot down and clipping back in when comming to a stop. It's second nature.