Originally Posted by
bragi
Unless you're mountain biking on rough single track, or racing, clipless isn't worth it, IMO. When I used clipless, I noticed almost no performance advantage at all, and I also found them to be annoying, because you have to wear special shoes to use them, but also because of the constant clipping and unclipping at intersections. On my commute, whether I use clipless or platforms, it takes me exactly the same amount of time to get to my destination, and my speeds are the same. Okay, on big hills, with clipless, my speed is about 0.2-0.3 mph faster; that's it. For me, the ability to get up a hill 4 seconds faster while I'm commuting isn't worth the the disadvantages of clipless.
The only real advantage of clipless is that they keep your feet on the pedals without slipping. Platform pedals with pins accomplish the same thing, but they're not a PITA in heavy stop & go traffic, and you get to wear whatever shoes you want.
That said, if you're committed to clipless, get MTB pedals and shoes. They're far better suited to commuting than roadie pedals & shoes.
+++1
this topic is all over BF at the moment
I reverted back to platforms (good platforms ) this year . as I mentioned in other posts here on BF Ive used a bunch of pedal types.
I started with toeclips , then bought the ugly butt clown foot
LOOKS when they came out in the early 90s cant walk in these to save yourself, not to mention the bike shops saying youll go to cycling hades if your not clipped in!!!
they saw a Techie sucker in me when I walked in.
I then bought Time pedals/shoes recessed cleat But forget walking in these too , I felt like HANS BRINKER, I then went to SPD with a newer MTB shoe better but didnt have enough float and still clanked too much on concrete and
forget wearing into someones house, I then bought speedplay frogs which were the best clipless pedal I ever used.
The frogs still clanked on concrete, or the cleat clogged up with gunk when I walked About on grass...
I also didnt ride my bikes (3) on errands or for a quick trip to visit people cause I didnt want to fart around with finding /putting on the golden shoes.
NOTE since I dont like spd the Campus pedal is not an option not to mention the paltform side of the campus pedal isnt grippy or large enough compared to a good Platform only pedal.
I (this year) installed a pair of TIOGA sure foot 8 platforms on my Custom Marinoni and its been great!!!
I finally got over the fear of being seen as a FRED when roadies or High tech Hybrid riders see me.my reluctance for the last two commute seasons have been clipless makes you look Lanceish Cool regardless of how inconvinient they were for Me
Platforms ARE FRED that seems to be the Jist of it!!! Im over that now.
My commute times
are no different than with any of my $$ clipless pedals, I wear what ever shoe I want (what a relief), my one way commute is 17 miles with tons of climbing on the way home.
its refreshing to just hop on the bike and go.
as I mentioned in another thread I just did a 100K and kept up with everyone just fine while on my new platforms and wearing comfy KEENS. My ride partners were all in clipless .
clipless does have a FEW niches
1) road Racing: Advantage- when riding in sardine can tight groups , keeps feet locked into pedals with no chance of slipping out THAT IN TURN
could cause a group faceplant. When a group faceplant does happen Many riders are still clipped in when they kiss the ground and injuries are more severe!!
2) MTB tech riding can be a double edge sword though (ive been there done that OUCH)
3) fixie riding , foot retention is needed. toe clips or power grips work well in this application
to each his own but Im now a re convert back to platforms. the bike industry has done a great job selling a $$ piece of gear that has very little benifits for most of its customers. I probably have $500.00 +worth of pedals/shoes sitting on the shelf collecting Dust.
"John"