Originally Posted by
cyccommute
Being a competitive or agressive cyclist doesn't mean that we don't ride for utility or relaxation.
Many of us who have transitioned from platforms to toe clips and/or clipless (some haven't gone through the toe clips at all) can recall riding situations where the type of pedal has ended up causing a spill. While slow speed crashes using clipless (and even clips) is common, higher speed crashes with far more potential for disastrous results are more common with platforms. There is nothing quite like landing in a heap at the bottom of a hill from slipping off a platform pedal to teach you that being connected to the bike is a good thing.
And once you are connected you find all kinds of situations where the pedals keep you on the bike through situations where you might have bailed or crashed before.
You seem to have totally missed what I was saying, and are now contradicting what you yourself said in another post.
Once again, I have used all 3 types of pedals, and still have clip and clipless pedals, just not currently in use, as I have found for my current needs and desires, pinned platforms provide 99% of the efficiency, and stability benefits of foot retention for how
I ride.
As to personal safety considerations, I was agreeing with you, sparewheel and others, the safest pedal is which one we are most comfortable and familiar with, I was simply expanding on that by saying an aggressive or competitive cyclist that benefits the most from, and prefers foot retention, will likely also find it safer and preferable to use foot retention when riding for utility or relaxation because that's what they're familiar with, and the opposite will most likely be true for more sedate riders like myself.
I have had only one bail off in the past 30 years if I remember correctly, obviously judging by your extensive experience with crashing and saves, our riding styles are entirely different, ergo our experiences with, and benefits from foot retention will be entirely different.
Unless you're now attempting to claim that foot retention offers unquestionable benefits to all types of riders under all circumstances, I don't understand what point you're trying to make.