New Safety Pedals
11-10-04, 03:32 PM
#26
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Originally Posted by dab60
1. I realize this is heresy for the those members of the Clipless religion, but I ride in traffic in the city, and I when I tell my feet I want them on the ground, I want them on the ground NOW! Every clipless thread on this forum has stories of people falling. For weekend joy rides they sound great. For weekday commutes, no thanks. I guess I'm just a platform infidel.
In my book, attaching your feet to the pedals may make you more efficient, and that's great for some people. It's not for me, though.
11-10-04, 04:26 PM
#27
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Originally Posted by Violineb
I definitely am feeling noobish; I use platform pedals. I guess it's because I only got my bike two months ago and the only thing I've changed yet are the tires. I don't want to turn this into a flaming thread but can someone list a few of the benefits of switching to clipless? I know it's obviously much better for better use of energy but what about jumping not to mention I don't really feel like carrying around a second pair of shoes (I use my MTB as a commuting bike)
11-10-04, 04:41 PM
#28
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For me I do not run the reflectors. Some clipless pedals allow for the relectors. Put a battery in them and I would run them. I do not want to waste my energy powering them though...
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11-10-04, 07:41 PM
#29
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Originally Posted by dab60
1. I realize this is heresy for the those members of the Clipless religion, but I ride in traffic in the city, and I when I tell my feet I want them on the ground, I want them on the ground NOW! Every clipless thread on this forum has stories of people falling. For weekend joy rides they sound great. For weekday commutes, no thanks. I guess I'm just a platform infidel.
1. Clipless pedals are not difficult or slow. Since buying my shoes, my habit in coming off of my pedals includes the ankle turn to release the pedals. When I want my feet on the ground NOW! I get them on the ground NOW because I took the time to practice using them. In fact, right now I have the retention force (which is adjustable on every set of clipless pedals I know of) set at its lowest setting so that my feet don't get hung up on the pedals. Its never been an issue for me.
2. As for falling, well that's just flat out wrong. Think of how many times you fell using your bike when you were young. Did you stop riding then because you fell? No. As for the stories, well, I"m sure some of them are embellished a little. Think about it: If you're telling a story of how clipless pedals suck, you're gonna tell the story so that the fall was the fault of the clipless pedals. And if the stories are true about falling because of your pedals, maybe they should refer to my first point and practice engaging and disengaging their pedals.
Now, I agree with you that it's a matter of personal preference, and on my MTB I still ride a pair of platforms (although not for long, I hate them) but let's not use weak justifications as a substitute for personal preferences. Each type has its place, but to make it out like clipless are dangerous and difficult is just flat out not true.
11-10-04, 07:44 PM
#30
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Originally Posted by Stacy
Here in New York all new bikes must be sold with reflectors on the pedals but I don't think the law actually requires cyclists to keep them.
I'd imagine most bikes here in the city still have them, left over from when they were new, but I rarely notice any reflection coming from the pedals.
Stacy
I'd imagine most bikes here in the city still have them, left over from when they were new, but I rarely notice any reflection coming from the pedals.
Stacy
11-10-04, 09:10 PM
#31
Senior Member
Originally Posted by noisebeam
No one expects clipless to have reflective material, they are too small and below the foot.
If the reflective material is embedded in the garment, there is nothing flapping around - that is the point - once you add on later it looks worse and prone to falling apart. Yes I am aware there are some unique manufacturers who make fully reflective gear - but also realize how easy, minimal cost and with not impact to wind drag for Giro, PI for example to add reflective material to helmets, tights, etc. Helment cover, come on. For example in the Nashbar catelog one can buy dozens of socks and sock patterns. How many have an embeded reflective stripe around the ankle? How many cycling rain jackets have more than a thin strip of reflective piping. How many gloves have reflective patches? I just was shopping for a warm long fingered glove - only one had reflective patch and for other reasons did not work for me.
Al
If the reflective material is embedded in the garment, there is nothing flapping around - that is the point - once you add on later it looks worse and prone to falling apart. Yes I am aware there are some unique manufacturers who make fully reflective gear - but also realize how easy, minimal cost and with not impact to wind drag for Giro, PI for example to add reflective material to helmets, tights, etc. Helment cover, come on. For example in the Nashbar catelog one can buy dozens of socks and sock patterns. How many have an embeded reflective stripe around the ankle? How many cycling rain jackets have more than a thin strip of reflective piping. How many gloves have reflective patches? I just was shopping for a warm long fingered glove - only one had reflective patch and for other reasons did not work for me.
Al
11-10-04, 09:22 PM
#32
Senior Member
Originally Posted by dab60
1. I realize this is heresy for the those members of the Clipless religion, but I ride in traffic in the city, and I when I tell my feet I want them on the ground, I want them on the ground NOW! Every clipless thread on this forum has stories of people falling. For weekend joy rides they sound great. For weekday commutes, no thanks. I guess I'm just a platform infidel.
Snap your fingers. I just unclipped, and that's how long it takes. The stories you read about people falling are from people new to clipless. It rarely happens to those that have ridden clipless for a while. I have no problems at all riding around in the city, but I use two sided MTB pedals, as they are quicker getting into.
2. Believe me I have looked. Illuminite illustrates my point, of marketing over functionality. Even on their commuter jacket the illuminite stuff is all BLACK. I love my Hi Viz screaming yellow shell for day ware, So I would have to bring 2 jackets, the hi viz for day, and the Illuminite one for night. Why cant they make a shell that is totally illuminite, and totally hi viz?
IN my response to another poster, I referenced a running vest with a VERY reflective band on it. This stuff could be put on by the manufacturer. Believe me, there is NO bike reflector in the world that equals this stuff. I don't know why the companies don't use this.
3. I have already submitted to my first cousin, Gov. Schwarzenegger, State house bill 765-34, requiring all cyclists to have at least 7 different lights on their bikes.
Ha Ha. Now go and do a 40+ mph descent on a mountain with mandatory reflectors in the spokes on the front and back wheels. You see why some of us only want the reflectors mandatory during the dark hours. Some places can ticket you 24 hours a day for not having them.
4. Hey Lance, give me a break. How much drag is there from a blinky!
Snap your fingers. I just unclipped, and that's how long it takes. The stories you read about people falling are from people new to clipless. It rarely happens to those that have ridden clipless for a while. I have no problems at all riding around in the city, but I use two sided MTB pedals, as they are quicker getting into.
2. Believe me I have looked. Illuminite illustrates my point, of marketing over functionality. Even on their commuter jacket the illuminite stuff is all BLACK. I love my Hi Viz screaming yellow shell for day ware, So I would have to bring 2 jackets, the hi viz for day, and the Illuminite one for night. Why cant they make a shell that is totally illuminite, and totally hi viz?
IN my response to another poster, I referenced a running vest with a VERY reflective band on it. This stuff could be put on by the manufacturer. Believe me, there is NO bike reflector in the world that equals this stuff. I don't know why the companies don't use this.
3. I have already submitted to my first cousin, Gov. Schwarzenegger, State house bill 765-34, requiring all cyclists to have at least 7 different lights on their bikes.
Ha Ha. Now go and do a 40+ mph descent on a mountain with mandatory reflectors in the spokes on the front and back wheels. You see why some of us only want the reflectors mandatory during the dark hours. Some places can ticket you 24 hours a day for not having them.
4. Hey Lance, give me a break. How much drag is there from a blinky!
Last edited by Dchiefransom; 11-11-04 at 09:06 AM.
11-10-04, 09:26 PM
#33
Senior Member
Originally Posted by vincenzosi
Wow, this is so wrong on so many levels, so let's address them.
1. Clipless pedals are not difficult or slow. Since buying my shoes, my habit in coming off of my pedals includes the ankle turn to release the pedals. When I want my feet on the ground NOW! I get them on the ground NOW because I took the time to practice using them. In fact, right now I have the retention force (which is adjustable on every set of clipless pedals I know of) set at its lowest setting so that my feet don't get hung up on the pedals. Its never been an issue for me.
2. As for falling, well that's just flat out wrong. Think of how many times you fell using your bike when you were young. Did you stop riding then because you fell? No. As for the stories, well, I"m sure some of them are embellished a little. Think about it: If you're telling a story of how clipless pedals suck, you're gonna tell the story so that the fall was the fault of the clipless pedals. And if the stories are true about falling because of your pedals, maybe they should refer to my first point and practice engaging and disengaging their pedals.
Now, I agree with you that it's a matter of personal preference, and on my MTB I still ride a pair of platforms (although not for long, I hate them) but let's not use weak justifications as a substitute for personal preferences. Each type has its place, but to make it out like clipless are dangerous and difficult is just flat out not true.
1. Clipless pedals are not difficult or slow. Since buying my shoes, my habit in coming off of my pedals includes the ankle turn to release the pedals. When I want my feet on the ground NOW! I get them on the ground NOW because I took the time to practice using them. In fact, right now I have the retention force (which is adjustable on every set of clipless pedals I know of) set at its lowest setting so that my feet don't get hung up on the pedals. Its never been an issue for me.
2. As for falling, well that's just flat out wrong. Think of how many times you fell using your bike when you were young. Did you stop riding then because you fell? No. As for the stories, well, I"m sure some of them are embellished a little. Think about it: If you're telling a story of how clipless pedals suck, you're gonna tell the story so that the fall was the fault of the clipless pedals. And if the stories are true about falling because of your pedals, maybe they should refer to my first point and practice engaging and disengaging their pedals.
Now, I agree with you that it's a matter of personal preference, and on my MTB I still ride a pair of platforms (although not for long, I hate them) but let's not use weak justifications as a substitute for personal preferences. Each type has its place, but to make it out like clipless are dangerous and difficult is just flat out not true.
11-10-04, 10:05 PM
#34
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I think you're right...
On a side note, the authors of the book "Just the Two of Us," the Nortons, were in that commercial. They biked across the country on Trek hybrids, and there they are singing the praises of these gimmicky cheap chunks of garbage.
It seemed so out of place and sell-outish. I was very bummed having read their book...
On a side note, the authors of the book "Just the Two of Us," the Nortons, were in that commercial. They biked across the country on Trek hybrids, and there they are singing the praises of these gimmicky cheap chunks of garbage.
It seemed so out of place and sell-outish. I was very bummed having read their book...
11-11-04, 11:13 AM
#35
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When I am in a car at night, I am probably more "alert" for possible bike riders than most folks. While "scanning" for bikes, often the first thing that catches my eye are pedal reflectors. The larger model pedal reflectors really light up when hit by headlights, and the motion of the pedals instantly shows that the reflection is coming from a bike in motion, and not from a mail box or stationary object.
Of course, the people who want to "look like Lance" would never be "caught dead" with pedals that use pedal reflectors - or perhaps they WILL be "caught dead" without them?
Of course, the people who want to "look like Lance" would never be "caught dead" with pedals that use pedal reflectors - or perhaps they WILL be "caught dead" without them?
11-11-04, 11:20 AM
#36
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There's a good chance that most people riding bikes that want to look like Lance, as you put it, are probably wearing reflective clothes in other ways.
For example, my pedals don't have reflectors, but my shoes have huge reflective strips on the ankles that are bigger and brighter than the pedal reflectors on my other bike.
For example, my pedals don't have reflectors, but my shoes have huge reflective strips on the ankles that are bigger and brighter than the pedal reflectors on my other bike.
11-11-04, 01:00 PM
#37
Senior Member
Originally Posted by Becca
There are others of us who don't use clips or clipless. I also use platform pedals. They're called Shark Bites and they grip the bottom of my sneakers (*gasp*) nicely. No, I can't ride barefoot! Yes, I've been "bitten" by them a time or two - but I've learned to give them a healthy distance when walking or carrying the bike.
In my book, attaching your feet to the pedals may make you more efficient, and that's great for some people. It's not for me, though.
In my book, attaching your feet to the pedals may make you more efficient, and that's great for some people. It's not for me, though.
11-12-04, 08:46 PM
#38
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Check out these combo pedals - platform on one side, clipless on the other:
Shimano M324 SPD Pedals
https://www.rei.com/product/8057554.htm?
When I was a student I usually wore street shoes to class, since I didn't have too far to go and spent most of the day on my feet. But occasionally I went farther and thought clipless would be nice. These are good too, b/c with biking shoes you can still use the platform in heavy stop-and-go traffic, when starting up, or on a very very steep ascent (It is always fun when you sense forward motion is no longer possible, and if you try to unclip you will fall over). I even bought them before I had biking shoes. Best purchase I've made for my bike. No reflectors though.
Speaking of lights and night-time visibility, I've seen LEDs that attach to your spokes and flash when your wheel moves. I don't know what powers them, but they are always on.
You should search the forums for previous posts on all these items.
Shimano M324 SPD Pedals
https://www.rei.com/product/8057554.htm?
When I was a student I usually wore street shoes to class, since I didn't have too far to go and spent most of the day on my feet. But occasionally I went farther and thought clipless would be nice. These are good too, b/c with biking shoes you can still use the platform in heavy stop-and-go traffic, when starting up, or on a very very steep ascent (It is always fun when you sense forward motion is no longer possible, and if you try to unclip you will fall over). I even bought them before I had biking shoes. Best purchase I've made for my bike. No reflectors though.
Speaking of lights and night-time visibility, I've seen LEDs that attach to your spokes and flash when your wheel moves. I don't know what powers them, but they are always on.
You should search the forums for previous posts on all these items.
11-13-04, 08:40 PM
#39
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Originally Posted by Oxymoron
Check out these combo pedals - platform on one side, clipless on the other:
Shimano M324 SPD Pedals
https://www.rei.com/product/8057554.htm?
When I was a student I usually wore street shoes to class, since I didn't have too far to go and spent most of the day on my feet. But occasionally I went farther and thought clipless would be nice. These are good too, b/c with biking shoes you can still use the platform in heavy stop-and-go traffic, when starting up, or on a very very steep ascent (It is always fun when you sense forward motion is no longer possible, and if you try to unclip you will fall over). I even bought them before I had biking shoes. Best purchase I've made for my bike. No reflectors though.
Shimano M324 SPD Pedals
https://www.rei.com/product/8057554.htm?
When I was a student I usually wore street shoes to class, since I didn't have too far to go and spent most of the day on my feet. But occasionally I went farther and thought clipless would be nice. These are good too, b/c with biking shoes you can still use the platform in heavy stop-and-go traffic, when starting up, or on a very very steep ascent (It is always fun when you sense forward motion is no longer possible, and if you try to unclip you will fall over). I even bought them before I had biking shoes. Best purchase I've made for my bike. No reflectors though.
11-13-04, 08:54 PM
#40
Senior Member
Originally Posted by dab60
Ok, but is there some way to make sure the platform side stays face up when you are in street shoes, and the clipless side stays up when you are in bike shoes?
