Clipless pedals or not?
11-30-18 | 11:05 AM
#101
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From: La-la Land, CA
Bikes: Cannondale Quick SL1 Bike - 2014
I believe more energy was lost in the automatic because of slippage and complexity, and also the shift points were not always optimized for fuel efficiency. I'm under the impression that computerization has pretty much solved these problems. Humans can no longer shift as intelligently as the new automatics. At least that's what I've heard. Not only that, automatics used to have fewer gears than manuals, and that's not true any more, either. I rented a Kia Soul with a 7-speed automatic.
11-30-18 | 11:18 AM
#102
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From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
It's a mixed bag over here. On the very weakest engines, the auto (DSG) is much better. Otherwise, it's pretty even.
Also, why would anyone way to drive anything other than a VW Golf anyway
Also, why would anyone way to drive anything other than a VW Golf anyway
11-30-18 | 11:19 AM
#103
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From: Minneapolis, MN
I believe more energy was lost in the automatic because of slippage and complexity, and also the shift points were not always optimized for fuel efficiency. I'm under the impression that computerization has pretty much solved these problems. Humans can no longer shift as intelligently as the new automatics. At least that's what I've heard. Not only that, automatics used to have fewer gears than manuals, and that's not true any more, either. I rented a Kia Soul with a 7-speed automatic.
2018 Honda Civic
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=39568
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=39567
Automatic / Manual
36 / 35 mpg (combined)
32 / 31 mpg (city)
42 / 42 mpg (highway)
Like you were saying...the automatic is rated 1mpg better than the manual transmission...
Last edited by PaulRivers; 11-30-18 at 11:31 AM.
11-30-18 | 12:14 PM
#104
Mad bike riding scientist
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From: Denver, CO
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FuelEconomy.org lists out mpg's.
2018 Honda Civic
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find...n=sbs&id=39568
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find...n=sbs&id=39567
Automatic / Manual
36 / 35 mpg (combined)
32 / 31 mpg (city)
42 / 42 mpg (highway)
Like you were saying...the automatic is rated 1mpg better than the manual transmission...
2018 Honda Civic
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find...n=sbs&id=39568
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find...n=sbs&id=39567
Automatic / Manual
36 / 35 mpg (combined)
32 / 31 mpg (city)
42 / 42 mpg (highway)
Like you were saying...the automatic is rated 1mpg better than the manual transmission...
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Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
11-30-18 | 12:26 PM
#105
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From: England / CPH
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And what is the margin of error on the measurements? One mpg might be significant or it might not be. Given that the listed fuel economy is often inaccurate, I’d say that 1 mpg is within the margin of error. In essence, you can’t say that one is better than the other.
11-30-18 | 12:28 PM
#106
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From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
And what is the margin of error on the measurements? One mpg might be significant or it might not be. Given that the listed fuel economy is often inaccurate, I’d say that 1 mpg is within the margin of error. In essence, you can’t say that one is better than the other.
11-30-18 | 01:23 PM
#107
Let's Ride!
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From: Lexington, VA USA
Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B
I don't ride clipless, but how I mount the bicycle has changed as I had switched to riding on the left hand side in the UK. I now swing my right leg over. In the US/UK/GER/DK/SE I would always swing my left leg over.
Also, I need to support myself on the curb in the city at stop lights, which is a pain in the ass with clipless in the winter or on the footrest at lights. When cycling around CPH last time, I've noticed that I've lost some right leg dexterity as much left leg has done this for the last 5 years (since moving to the UK).
Also, I need to support myself on the curb in the city at stop lights, which is a pain in the ass with clipless in the winter or on the footrest at lights. When cycling around CPH last time, I've noticed that I've lost some right leg dexterity as much left leg has done this for the last 5 years (since moving to the UK).
11-30-18 | 02:37 PM
#108
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From: Minneapolis, MN
Oldest cars I could find on fueleconomy.org were 1984. Looked up 1984 Honda Civic.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=26573
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=26574
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=26572
Automatic (highest mpg listed) / Manual (same 1.5L engine) / Manual (highest mpg listed 1.3L engine)
Combined Mpg: 27 mpg / 30 mpg / 41 mpg
Probably a bigger gap if you could go back further in time. It's different today though.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=26573
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=26574
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=26572
Automatic (highest mpg listed) / Manual (same 1.5L engine) / Manual (highest mpg listed 1.3L engine)
Combined Mpg: 27 mpg / 30 mpg / 41 mpg
Probably a bigger gap if you could go back further in time. It's different today though.
11-30-18 | 03:59 PM
#109
On Holiday
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Thanks, I appreciate the advice. The thing is that there is no way that I'm going to spring for $200+ boots with cleats, when my $40 insulated winter boots with Zefal half clips work great.
11-30-18 | 04:19 PM
#110
aka Tom Reingold
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Silly, can't you see that's not his bike!?
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
11-30-18 | 04:25 PM
#111
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This may have been discussed many, many times on this forum before, but based on the number of responses in such a short time, it sure is still a hot topic among cyclists!
Strictly speaking about bicycle commuting, my response is "not." I don't use clipless pedals for any type of riding, but I can see where some long-distance cyclists might like them for pounding away at the road and/or hill-climbing. For the type of stop-and-go involved in my personal commute, I sooooo much prefer simple platforms. My reasons are the same as those already provided by others.
Strictly speaking about bicycle commuting, my response is "not." I don't use clipless pedals for any type of riding, but I can see where some long-distance cyclists might like them for pounding away at the road and/or hill-climbing. For the type of stop-and-go involved in my personal commute, I sooooo much prefer simple platforms. My reasons are the same as those already provided by others.
11-30-18 | 05:15 PM
#113
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From: Boston
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Yeah, that is the problem with the specialized winter gear = $$$. Santa Babe got me my toasty winter biking boots. I love Santa Babe.
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12-01-18 | 08:04 AM
#114
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12-03-18 | 02:49 PM
#115
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From: Maine
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I went to clipless pedals as my right heel tends to work its way inward while I ride. After ruining my last pair of cycling shoes against the crank, I went to clipless and adjusted them so my foot tends to be straight, not heel slightly in. No knee or leg pain after long rides, and no hitting my heel against the bicycle. Clipless solved the problem.
12-03-18 | 09:04 PM
#117
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From: Queens, NYC
Bikes: Specialized AWOL
I ride in NYC and dont have a car anymore. Like some others, I use dual platform/SPD mountain bike pedals and think they are great. I ride clipped in 95% of the time. But on rare occasion, I can ride in regular shoes when needed including boots in the winter. I keep a pair of shoes at work so I don't have to carry a pair around. WIth the SPDs you can walk almost anywhere, regardless. Since my office is carpeted; sometime I forget I have the SPDs on and wear them around the office. I have a few pairs of SPD shoes including sandals.
12-03-18 | 11:24 PM
#118
aka Tom Reingold
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I ride in NYC and dont have a car anymore. Like some others, I use dual platform/SPD mountain bike pedals and think they are great. I ride clipped in 95% of the time. But on rare occasion, I can ride in regular shoes when needed including boots in the winter. I keep a pair of shoes at work so I don't have to carry a pair around. WIth the SPDs you can walk almost anywhere, regardless. Since my office is carpeted; sometime I forget I have the SPDs on and wear them around the office. I have a few pairs of SPD shoes including sandals.
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New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
12-04-18 | 08:42 AM
#119
born again cyclist
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Chicago
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^ with the exception of the " i ride in NYC and don't have a car anymore" part, BobbyMo's post is exactly what i would say as well.
i love the versatility of combo pedals. i can have my cake and eat it too!
i love the versatility of combo pedals. i can have my cake and eat it too!
12-04-18 | 09:21 AM
#120
Keepin it Wheel
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From: San Diego
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12-04-18 | 09:24 AM
#121
Occam's Rotor
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I'm right-handed, kick with my left foot, and always, always unclip the right foot when coming to a stop. Unclipping the left feels genuinely unnatural... to me. I've tried starting off with the right foot clipped in, and it's as if I've forgotten how to ride a bicycle.
That said, most people I see unclip the left foot at a stop. Which is weird to me here in the land of driving-on-the-right. With my right foot unclipped I can stand on the curb and stay in the saddle at stoplights.
That said, most people I see unclip the left foot at a stop. Which is weird to me here in the land of driving-on-the-right. With my right foot unclipped I can stand on the curb and stay in the saddle at stoplights.
12-07-18 | 04:11 PM
#124
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I'm right-handed, kick with my left foot, and always, always unclip the right foot when coming to a stop. Unclipping the left feels genuinely unnatural... to me. I've tried starting off with the right foot clipped in, and it's as if I've forgotten how to ride a bicycle.
That said, most people I see unclip the left foot at a stop. Which is weird to me here in the land of driving-on-the-right. With my right foot unclipped I can stand on the curb and stay in the saddle at stoplights.
That said, most people I see unclip the left foot at a stop. Which is weird to me here in the land of driving-on-the-right. With my right foot unclipped I can stand on the curb and stay in the saddle at stoplights.
There's almost no time I'm ever going to be up next to a curb so it's interesting that you bring up a potential benefit of unclipping the right foot. Here, either the intersection is going to have a place for the bike to trigger the traffic sensor a few feet away from the curb, or it's going to be a right turn only lane and no way am I stopping there, or I'm taking the lane to not be squashed by a right hook.
12-08-18 | 08:26 AM
#125
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I'm right-handed, only started riding regularly this year and unclipping came naturally for my LEFT foot but is still weird for my right.
There's almost no time I'm ever going to be up next to a curb so it's interesting that you bring up a potential benefit of unclipping the right foot. Here, either the intersection is going to have a place for the bike to trigger the traffic sensor a few feet away from the curb, or it's going to be a right turn only lane and no way am I stopping there, or I'm taking the lane to not be squashed by a right hook.
There's almost no time I'm ever going to be up next to a curb so it's interesting that you bring up a potential benefit of unclipping the right foot. Here, either the intersection is going to have a place for the bike to trigger the traffic sensor a few feet away from the curb, or it's going to be a right turn only lane and no way am I stopping there, or I'm taking the lane to not be squashed by a right hook.
On further reading, I noted the right vs left unclipping discussion. We have plenty of curbs and I unclip RIGHT. In fact, when I'm on the left side of the road, left foot unclipping seems awkward.
I first to thought about it when I started riding with a regular companion, and he always unclipped left.
I first to thought about it when I started riding with a regular companion, and he always unclipped left.
I like the brief respite at a stoplight to rest my right foot unclipped on the curb.
BTW, in the first year of clipless, I had about four falls when stopped (only), so I follow this rule: "Unclip (right) even if you just think about stopping."