Originally Posted by
Tundra_Man
I don't run clipped/clipless pedals on my winter bike. The reason is twofold.
First, when the temps hit single digits or lower my clipless shoes just aren't warm enough and I like to wear my boots (yes, I know you can get clipless boots but they're crazy expensive.) Standard toe clips could work around this, assuming they are big enough to fit my boots, which brings me to...
Yes, clipless boots are expensive but how long are they going to last you? I paid around $250 for my Lake MZ303 four years ago. So far they have cost me $63/year. They don't seem to be showing any wear and I expect that they will last at least another 6 years...I've have other shoes that I used for winter riding that are closer to 20 years old. At 10 years, they will have cost me $25/year and they are far superior to regular bike shoes and shoe covers.
Originally Posted by
Tundra_Man
Second, and most important, I've had too many instances in the winter where I need to get my foot down NOW! If my feet were restrained in any way the slight delay it takes to free them would have me laying in a snowbank. Usually I find the need to do this in deep snow where the bike hits a drift and comes to an abrupt, unexpected stop. The speeds in these situations are low so it's not so much of a risk of getting injured as it is I'd rather not be making snow angels on the cold ground.
I like clipless overall, just not for winter riding.
Personally, I've never found a point where I needed to get my foot down any faster in winter than during mountain biking. Falling over into a snowbank is a lot less hazardous than falling onto a pile of rocks. There's really no difference in injury to my dignity either but one gives you scraps, bruises and blood while the other just gets you cold. Either way, I often find my foot unclipped and on the ground without my even thinking about it.
I have found that being clipped in makes me more likely to stay upright when I would have bailed on a flat pedal. The ability to pull up helps to power through soft snowpack as well rather than have to bail.
I will agree about toe straps, however. I wouldn't use them for love nor money for winter, summer, road or off-road riding. I've used them in the past but modern clipless pedals are much better.