Originally Posted by
wolfchild
Who knows. Maybe one day I will adopt clipless , not for all of my cycling but at least for some of my biking trips...I am already used to riding with foot retention by using toe clips and straps so I feel comfortable being attached to my bike. I bet a transition from toe clips to clipless would be very easy for me...I can fully understand why people who have longer commuting distances would prefer clipless. I do notice an increase in efficiency and performance and climbing hills is easier with foot retention.
I had used toeclips since gradeschool in the 70's.
Last year I decided to go clipless (SPD). The transition was quick, easy, and complete. I did finally track down a set of Instep SPD toeclip adapters, and tried them once, perhaps not a good shake-down, they didn't hold the feet tight and just weren't pleasant. I have really enjoyed the SPDs.
I suppose part of the reason I chose the clipless was that I started going on longer rides again, and the feet were going crooked with the standard toeclips, and perhaps pressure points in the shoes.
Occasionally I'll ride flats for a "test ride", but it has been a long time since I've done any significant mileage with flats. I guess I have troubles imagining they would be fun for a 100+ mile ride, or a 20 mile hill climb like I did last Thursday.
Of course, the topic was about commuting, but once one is comfortable going on hundred mile rides with toeclips or cleats, then there really is no reason to go without for commuting, other than perhaps shoe selection.