Mars

So, I thought it would be interesting to do a poll and have a discussion about pedals. I'm guessing that most of the VLC go clipless, but how many? What kind of pedals do you use and what do you think of them?

On my recumbent, I use crank brothers egg beaters. You can't beat them for ease of use, but the small size on the bottom of your foot can create problems on long rides. Does anyone know of a product that can stiffen the sole of your shoe? An insert, maybe?

On my roadie, I use Look pedals. Hard to use, and I have missed clipping in on my free foot a number of times. The plastic part on your shoe wears out really quickly if you have to walk at all in them.

Marylandnewbie

For one brief moment I had a significant opinion casting one out of 2 votes. I'm on my third pair of platforms having broken the stock pedals and a replacement set. With the second set I started using toe clips since my leg strength had finally reached a point where they proved useful. The toe clips had to come off in winter to accomodate winter boots and to make for quicker exits when riding in snow or ice. That worked really well this winter although the weather was unusually nice, so it was far from an acid test. I'm back to toe clips now and I'm finding them useful and really helpful in getting a better more powerful stroke. My latest pedals are Wellgo 888 Road Quills and so far I'm liking them alot, but I have maybe 200 miles on them.

Looks like it might be a ride in the rain tomorrow. Have a good ride tomorrow wherever you are.

TheDL

Hey folks! It we had some sun breaks and dry spells today so I wheeled my new bike out of the garage to take some pics. I posted them in the commuter bike pics thread. Here's a link directly to my post:

New bike

so, as you can see...clipless.

al-wagner

I use clipless on the road bike.
On my mountain bike I use a pedal that is platform on one side and clipless on the other.

CigTech

I have the platform pedals. There where on the bike when I got it. I have been thinking of upgraded the BB, cranks and padels. I found a BB adaptor for the bike to use the newer BB's. TruVativ American-to-Euro Conversion kit $24.95. here's the web site: https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/opc.html#stem.

Lithuania

I ride speedplay cleats and pedals on my road bikes right now.

On Saturday I test rode my new commute to the office. 25 miles each way 50 miles round trip. It took me about 1:40 to get from alexandria, va to sterling, va. I must say the first 10 miles on very busy roads were not as bad as I imagined them to be. Of course this was during day light the actual work commute will be at 5am. I hope to ride to work once this week and twice next week eventually building up to almost every day.

buelito

I ride Look on my road bike and performance spd on my fixie--

A little rain this morning-- and not a whole lot of people out there-- COngestion near the White House, as today is the easter egg roll--and it has its share of controversy-- I don't understand the protests-- after all, the event is for the kids...

Put compact crank (50/34) on my road bike over the weekend-- rides really smooth--

have a great week-

train safe-

ctoddrun

I started riding clipless on my commuter a few weeks ago - Shimano sandals and PD-M424s for the clipless/platform combo, which helps for the last quarter mile of my ride, after I've showered and changed at one of our buildings and need to get to the building my office is in. I'm loving clipless so far, and don't imagine I'll ever have a need to go back to toeclips, at least with the commute I currently have.

mpless

ATAC XS pedals with Specialized MTB Shoes. I use them on my 'Cross bike commuter as well as my road bike. I used to use Speedplay Frogs with MTB shoes but they were prone to accidental "un-clips" during hard sprints. I like Speedplay X series pedals with road shoes for pure road riding, but for riding around town, clipping and un-clipping, maybe having to go up and down a few stairs here and there, the MTB shoes just make a lot more sense.

--Marcus

ctoddrun

The ride home tonight seemed twice as long due to the very early 100+ temps this afternoon. Took things slow, drank more than normal, made sure to hydrate all day at the office. Got smacked on the bridge of the by a bumble bee as I rode through the park - caught me a bit by surprise, and I almost ran into a couple walking toward me down the middle of the path as I rounded the next curve. I would have had room to pass them in the normal fashion if I had all my senses, but had to bail out to the grassy area on the left instead. Scared them pretty good, and they immediately moved to the right...

CigTech

Well today going to work I broke a spoke on the back wheel. So I took it easy comming home as to not break any more. I'll have to find a new spoke for it in the next two days while I am off work. Other then that I had a nice slow ride home. Took me 1h 21min. to get home with 17.73 miles.

yoyodyne

I usually run clips and straps on my fixed gear, and spds on my cyclocross. I prefer the clipless, but casual rides, aside from my commute, it's nice to have the clips and straps. Tomorrow should be the first of three commutes this week. It's supposed to be great weather here in VA.

mpless

Fiber Fix spokes are pretty handy to have in your seatpack for just such an occasion.

--Marcus

tibikefor2

What a beautiful morning in the Nations Capital. Light winds, plenty of sun, birds chirping, almost did not go to work.

I ride Look Keo's on my road bike and Crank Brothers Candy C on my commuter.

xxamr_corpxx

I use platform pedals on both commuters. They were the only thing around in the 80s.

Marylandnewbie

Today was a gorgeous day for the commute. Mornings like this make up for days riding into a headwind in the pouring rain! So far I would say our poll results match what I see during the commute -- clipless to the right of me, clipless to the left of me, nary a toe clip in sight.

Totally uneventful ride today, but I'm expecting more people out on the MUP this evening to add to the degree of difficulty. Ahhh the downside of spring.

JugglerDave

I've got the Crank Bros. "Mallet", since I use my commuter/hybrid for short trips around town (return movies, food shopping) I wanted something that cold do both.

so far (1 yr of use, 800 miles) I love it.

landstander

I use so-called campus pedals... specifically the Wellgo WPD-95B (it's what my LBS had in stock at the time). Most of the time I go with the clipless side, but I like having the flexibility to ride with ordinary shoes whenever my destination/plans make it expedient.

CigTech

I got the Continental Ultra Gatorskin on the Techra today. Now I should not get so many flats. I did like how light they are. I did a fast run to see if they where any slower then my other tires. There feel grate and did not slow me down on bite. I think I'll keep them.

I did quite a bit on the Hornet today as well. Got out the Elemer's Ultimate glue and went to town on all the joints and plywood plates. I used about all the 4 oz. bottle on the Hornet. Now tomorrow I'll have to sand it down and get it ready for fiberglass. The frame is alot stiffer now that the glue as set. Before I was riding it with just deck screws in it.

Lithuania

I can make my first legit post on this thread!

I rode to work today. I think it was about 25 miles. I dont have a computer so I am not sure. I left at 5am and it took me about 1:50. That was about 10 - 15 minutes longer then when I made the test ride but that was also in the daylight and 30 pounds lighter and on a nicer bike.

I was really nervous about riding in the dark for the first time with my home made light but it seemed to work well for the most part. More light is always better though.

Im concerned I didnt bring enough food with me but I think I will make a seperate thread for that worry.

Marylandnewbie

Another fabulous day of riding with temps in the low 50s and bright sunshine. These are the days that make you glad to be a bike commuter. I even managed to get my son out of the house on time and rode with him to school. That in itself is enough of a miracle for one day!

Every morning more and more people show up on the MUP, so I know spring is here. Oh well its so nice riding who cares. Have agreat ride everybody.

ctoddrun

Very pleasant ride this morning, despite headwinds and a rear flat. The long story is on the daily commute thread for those who are interested... I'm not at all offended if you're not

tibikefor2

Ditto on everything that Newbie stated above. Can't wait to ride home. I have been commuting mostly on my Spectrum Ti and I have fallen completely in love wth the bike. I think that my Propad will be in moth balls until the next rain storm.

Oh Spectrum How I Love Thee

I have started to commute to work on my Spectrum Ti (yes, it sits in my office with me during the day). Now that I am starting to get in better shape the design tweaks that Tom Kellogg did for me are becoming quite apparent.

The lower bottom bracket:
• Instead of down shifting or standing on hills, I increase my cadence and roll over many small hills
• On long hills I can ride a smaller gear and spin the gear more easily. Yesterday, I did two small climbs (1/4 mile long at 4%-5% grade), kept a nice 95 cadence and climbed at a steady 17 mph.

Shorter chain stays:
• Seems to be more efficient than my other bikes and accelerates like crazy
• Able to maintain 20+ mph for many, many miles at a time

Overall Fit:
• This is the most perfect bike that I have ever ridden and handles like a dream
• Even though the bike was not designed specifically for aero bars, the aero bars set up, is incredibly comfortable.
• It was easy to dial in the bike for a great ride

Overall ride:
• Incredibly stable at high speeds, I have taken the bike up to 49 MPH and did not feel uncomfortable.
• The bike dives into corners quite well and allows me to accelerate out of corners with ease. There is a short descent on my commute that has twp 180 degree turns within 50 feet of each other. I had two racer dudes on my wheels riding the latest Carbon Fiber bikes. Without pedaling I was able to open up a 30 foot gap.
• The handling is quick and neutral and not the least bit twitchy.

texdan

Started my commute today....17 mi each way. Half of it county park bike trails, the other half marked bike lanes. Wasn't nearly as difficult as I'd made it out to be. I feel great. The real test will be the afternoon commute in the Houston heat! I'm already looking forward to upgrading my ride. Currently an 03 Motobecane 700 DS with road slicks and a rear rack.

I've been reading this bikeforums.net for a few weeks and the folks here have been extremely helpful.

truman

I have three bikes, each running three different flavors of crank brothers pedals. I use a mountain shoe, because the cleat doesn't protrude past the tread, making for easier walking, and it looks like a more normal shoe, not some colorful, outer space, plasticky thing with buckles. I could wear my shoes with my business casual office attire and not look TOO out of place.

I held out with platforms on the commuter for awhile, but I got a good deal on some Eggbeaters, and took it.
Way more comfy, now, than with flats.