Originally Posted by
PaulRivers
I don't think that even makes sense. Some studies have said that even tour de france level pro riders do not actually gain efficiency with clipless pedals. I haven't been 100% convinced that's the case, but at best even for them the difference is small.
with clipless i can "optimize" the precise spot on my foot that is in contact with the pedal. this is very useful for people who have a preference -- and i certainly do.
Completely the opposite, if you have foot and knee pain you're far more likely to increase it with clipless systems that hold your foot in exactly 1 place the entire ride. I went through 3 pairs of shoes, 2 fitters, and doing specific exercises to eliminate knee pain from clipless, and that is not untypical. It's a lot easier to avoid knee pain with flats.
i routinely experienced ankle and knee pain on platform pedals -- especially after mashing up hills. once i started using clipless this completely disappeared.
Don't even see a benefit with track standing, in fact it makes it more risky if you do fall over that it's slower to get your foot down.
i did not say there was a benefit. i stated that they
encourage track standing. i consider track standing/sitting to be a benefit in and of itself.
LOL, why don't you go over and tell the most advanced and societally used bike commuting culture that you know better than them and they're doing it wrong.
that was intentionally amusing. i think it's interesting how some who post constant criticism of north americans have a thin skin when it comes to obviously humorous criticism of continental europeans.