Originally Posted by
chucky
Question: Why do Crank Bros Mallets and other such "downhill" pedals advertise that you can ride them unclipped? How do you do this without accidentally clipping in?
I haven't seen them claim that. Like there's a product description here -
http://www.rei.com/product/768668
The closest I can find is "Downhillers, freeriders and BMX riders will appreciate the easy target areas the large platforms provide for quick entries".
They mean that because of the larger platform, if you unclip then slam your foot down in the area of the pedal trying to get clipped back in, your foot has something to hit and rest on because of the platform rather than having to hit the pedal just exactly right to get clipped in. Often the goal is the opposite of yours - the larger platform supplies surface to rest on momentarily while you get clipped back in as quickly as possible. Whereas you want to stay clipped out, the platform often seems to be designed to slide your foot into the clipped in position as soon as your foot is anywhere on the pedal.
Originally Posted by
chucky
Yeah and then they go home and clean and lube them. Playing around in a race where the clock stops once you cross the finish line is completely different from performing day in day out in the real world.
There's no shortage of people here who commute every day, or commute all winter with clipless. I've heard all kinds of *****ing, complaining, and moaning about pedals. I can't say I recall ever hearing any repeated complaints on non-road pedals keeping someone from clipping out because their pedals got old, or dirty. I've heard of all other kinds of complaints - pedal spindles breaking, clipping out accidentally because the pedals got old, undurable pedals, etc etc. Maybe there's someone somewhere, but plenty of us have had and used clipless pedals all the time and not had this happen (to be fair and specific - I've heard of it happening with road pedals from dirt, but not the 2 hole mountain bike pedals that are designed with dirt and crud in mind). When mountain clipless pedals age, they tend to let go to easily, not leave you locked in.
Since it's not impossible I could be wrong, I started a thread to ask other people that question here in the commuter forum -
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...6#post10972506
Originally Posted by
chucky
Oh no? There are many studies which confirm that pulling on the pedals produces less power for the same amount of effort. For example.
"The aim of this study was to determine the influence of different shoe-pedal interfaces and of an active pulling-up action during the upstroke phase on the pedalling technique. Eight elite cyclists (C) and seven non-cyclists (NC) performed three different bouts at 90 rev . min (-1) and 60 % of their maximal aerobic power. They pedalled with single pedals (PED), with clipless pedals (CLIP) and with a pedal force feedback (CLIPFBACK) where subjects were asked to pull up on the pedal during the upstroke. There was no significant difference for pedalling effectiveness, net mechanical efficiency (NE) and muscular activity between PED and CLIP. When compared to CLIP, CLIPFBACK resulted in a significant increase in pedalling effectiveness during upstroke (86 % for C and 57 % NC, respectively), as well as higher biceps femoris and tibialis anterior muscle activity (p < 0.001). However, NE was significantly reduced (p < 0.008) with 9 % and 3.3 % reduction for C and NC, respectively. Consequently, shoe-pedal interface (PED vs. CLIP) did not significantly influence cycling technique during submaximal exercise. However, an active pulling-up action on the pedal during upstroke increased the pedalling effectiveness, while reducing net mechanical efficiency."
You know what I think is absurd? Roadies who wouldn't know what fast was if it bit them in their pansy ass lycra shorts. A roadie friend of mine recently told me I could qualify for CAT1 just based on my average commute times in traffic. My response? "I'm not interested in playing around."
I don't even know what to make of that. CLIPFBACK? And where's the link to this study? And how did they measure the "mechanical efficiency" of your muscles?
I could argue, but these kind of arguments tend to go on forever. As I said, if you believe clipless won't increase your power I would highly suggest you give platforms with pins and 5-10 shoes a try. A lot of people feel they have nearly the grip of clipless pedals.
Originally Posted by
chucky
Unlike shoes which have limited space for extra insulation, sandals allow a practically unlimited increase in insulation as temperatures drop. Moreover, the adjustable straps allow you to prevent overtightness, which promotes circulation and keeps the feet warm. So you can use thicker and thicker socks combined with a goretex/waterproof outer sock to customize your footwear as the weather requires.
It works so well that I got rid of all my winter boots which pale in comparison to the warmth of shoveling snow in sandals with appropriate sock layers.
That's kind of cool, actually. I was going to say that it wouldn't work because of wind, but if you have windproof socks and you either don't get your feet wet or use waterproof socks that could definitely work. Interesting.