Originally Posted by
dh024
Better yet, spend under a $100 for boots that will last 10 or 15 years, and you can use them off the bike, too.
I have boots that I can use off the bike. They last a lot longer if you aren't spraying water, ice and salt on them all the time.
Originally Posted by
dh024
Plus, most regular winter boots tend to have better traction than most of the cycling shoes out there - the cycling shoes always seem to have a hard rubber sole that doesn't grip on snow or ice. When commuting, it is inevitable that you have to put a foot down at a stop light or walk your bike at least short distances.
Cycling
shoes might have hard rubber soles. The boots I've suggested come with Vibram soles that aren't hard. Most mountain bike shoes don't have hard tread either. They are meant to be walked in...at least a little.
Originally Posted by
dh024
I guess that's the difference in our choice - I have never felt a significant advantage to being able to pull up on a pedal stroke on snow and ice. But I won't open up that debate again. I will say, however, that using platform pedals has saved me from falling multiple times because I could put a foot down - it wasn't very graceful, but at least I didn't go down hard.
Different strokes on pulling up. I find it handy all the time, especially if I have to ride through a long expanse of soft snow or snow that has packed and unpacked bits...basically any place where I need to "power" through something.
As for "putting a foot down", as I said above, that's a good way of getting hurt (not that you can't get your foot out of a clipless pedal in a hurry). I pulled a hamstring by "putting a foot down" when the bike slide on ice. We had a mechanic at my local co-op who "put his foot down" during a crash and end up bending it the wrong way and shattering his ankle followed by 9 months of not being able to ride his bike and various complications. If he had ridden the bike down and let it take the brunt of the fall, he would have only had to deal with bruises.
More likely than not, you aren't going to "catching yourself" during a crash. It's the same error as trying to "brace for impact". That just leads to injury. There's too much momentum and your extremities are too fragile.
Originally Posted by
dh024
And your presumption is wrong - no pins on my platform pedals. These are what I use:
Ergon PC2 Pedals | Jenson USA
Big stable platform, and the grip soles well, even if snowy. They are also the most comfy touring pedal I have ever used. I now have 7 or 8 pairs of cycling shoes collecting dust, and a box full of SPD pedals.
Most people opt for sharp pins.
Originally Posted by
dh024
It is personal preference, but I do think that there is still a myth that clipless is always better for commuting (lots disagree).
Yes, it's personal preference but
most people find that clipless is better for all cycling once they try it. Most don't go back to platforms afterwards.