Originally Posted by
lambo_vt
That article is flawed from the get-go. Here's a quote from it:
There are some benefits to being firmly attached. Whether they make sense for you and your riding, only you can answer. Here they are:
1. in slippery conditions and vicious sprints, and when hopping the bike over a dead raccoon or up onto a curb, a connection to the pedal is a benefit.
2. When you climb a super steep short hill, you actually can pull up on the upward-moving pedal for a few strokes, and doing so helps you turn over the other pedal (get it past 12:00 and into the power part of the stroke).
You seem to be easily confused: the article says that clipless have advantages, defines them, and then suggests that for most riders - who aren't daily racoon hoppers or uphill sprinters - these benefits aren't that relevant. This called "balance". Most people don't consider it a flaw.
Clipless is cool if it's for you, and if it's not it doesn't really matter. But if the benefits of foot retention are such a myth, then why a) acknowledge them explicitly in your article
Because some benefits are myths and others aren't; Elron - sorry, Gary Petersom - discussed both in his article.
and b) sell so many bikes with uncomfortable and inconvenient toe clips/straps?
I'd hazard that "Customers want them" is the answer. People who buy steel **lugged** bikes tend to be traditionalists. But Peterson's best advice for commuter type riding would seem to be to use BMX pedals.
Edited to add: BMX pedals are actually pretty nice. I had a set on my commuter and they worked well, but I found I can spin much more effectively at high cadences with foot retention. Sure "pulling up" may not be true, but I found I unload my pedals on the upstroke enough that my feet would slip forward or back on the pedal at high cadences. As usual, your mileage may vary.
Well, yes, ymmv. But this is commuting and a Crosscheck with flipflops, not the TDF and an $8000 17lb carbon bike. BMX pedals are cheap to try - the OP can buy a pair slightly used on ebay and re-sell them if he doesn't like them. And for flops, crocs, and hiking boots, big BMX pedals are the perfect match. Worth considering, I'd suggest. And I wouldn't hesitate before using them for any offroading that didn't involve jumping, or on a rando or tour. In fact they'd be my first choice for long distance - they hold the foot securely, but let you change position.