Originally Posted by
repechage
Always strapped or clipped in. On the few occasions when I am not using cleats- that is when I almost pull a foot out. From decades of habit I just apply force around the majority of the pedal stroke.
Spin, from the days when a 47x15 was the top gear at hand. the typical flatland gear is 42x17. Always smile coming up to a guy grinding out a 53x your choice, kind of like , "what do you use on a real descent?"
The subordinate habit is to reach down and loosen one strap any time a stop sign or traffic signal is coming up, even when wearing lipless shoes, it takes 15-20 minutes to subdue that one.almost
It took a while to convince my son that clips and straps are better than blank pedals. Cleats are protested save for rural riding.
My style exactly! I'm glad you posted this. All the assertions by those who say that we don't need cleats since we don't pull up on the pedals left me wondering if I was the only one. I ride mostly clipless these days: Sometimes, when I'm riding one of my vintage bikes with clips, straps, and slot cleats I forget to tighten the straps and immediately pull my foot right out of the pedal on the first hill or sprint.
On rides longer than about 60 miles I will regularly shift up a gear or two and ride out of the saddle for a minute or two on each climb to stave off butt fatigue.
Brent