Any commuters ride without any sort of toeclip/clipless?
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 23
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Any commuters ride without any sort of toeclip/clipless?
Who here commutes without toeclips, straps or clip less pedals?
I've been commuting with LOOK style pedals for the last several months, and now I've been thinking about saving those for longer rides and just putting in toeclips. Then it occurred to me that I could just commute with completely flat.
I've been commuting with LOOK style pedals for the last several months, and now I've been thinking about saving those for longer rides and just putting in toeclips. Then it occurred to me that I could just commute with completely flat.
#2
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,207
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From: Northern VT
Bikes: recumbent & upright
Have shimano mx-30 flat pedals on my CkCx, just under 4000 km last year.
these pedals are wide and large nicely holding what ever shoe or boot I had on.
installed the shortest pins, don't have any problems with slippage or shin bashing.
the convenience of just hopping on and going with what every is on your feet is
great.
my partner has shimano 324 pedals on her bike, she likes the combination of platform
on one side and clip in on the other. they seem to work well for her.
these pedals are wide and large nicely holding what ever shoe or boot I had on.
installed the shortest pins, don't have any problems with slippage or shin bashing.
the convenience of just hopping on and going with what every is on your feet is
great.
my partner has shimano 324 pedals on her bike, she likes the combination of platform
on one side and clip in on the other. they seem to work well for her.
#3
I'm riding completely platforms now that it's turning to winter. In my summer bike I have platform/SPD combo pedals, that enables me to do the occasional ride with normal shoes / sandals / whatever.
--J
--J
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#4
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,902
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From: 40205 'ViLLeBiLLie
Bikes: Sngl Spd's, 70's- 80's vintage, D-tube Folder
I use big , pegged BMX platforms on all of my bikes.
More comfortable and I appreciate not having to worry
about all the stuff that goes along with not having to
worry about clipping and strapping at every lite .
In riding in snow, I didnt want be clipped in in case I
needed to put a foot down quickly.
No, no foot retention stuff here
More comfortable and I appreciate not having to worry
about all the stuff that goes along with not having to
worry about clipping and strapping at every lite .
In riding in snow, I didnt want be clipped in in case I
needed to put a foot down quickly.
No, no foot retention stuff here
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 347
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From: Gatineau, Quebec
Bikes: Rocky Mountain
I used to ride with flat pedals but I opted for Powergrips. I'm very happy with them. At first I thought I might take them off for winter riding but I find I can still put a foot down very quickly if needed, and I really prefer having the foot retention once I got used to having it.
#8
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Arizona, USA
Bikes: Mercier Corvus (commuter), Fila Taos (MTB), Trek 660(Got frame for free and put my LeMans Centurian components on it)
Eggbeaters all the way.
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Sunrise saturday,
I was biking the backroads,
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lost in the moment.
#12
Prefers Cicero

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,860
Likes: 146
From: Toronto
Bikes: 1984 Trek 520; 2007 Bike Friday NWT; misc others
In the fall of 2006 I took the clipless pedals off my commuter so I could ride in winter boots. By the middle of the spring 2007 realized I hardly missed them. I time my rides occasionally, and my best time home is usually about 25 minutes. This was true before and after switching back to platforms.
So I laugh at all the talk about how much more efficient clipless pedals are. If you're a hardcore rider they probably offer a small advantage and certainly in extreme conditions like a very steep uphill or a mad finishing sprint they are worthwhile.
The truth is that for most commuters they are not worth the bother of switching shoes, clacking on the floor, unclipping at lights, etc. Ride with them if you like them, but don't fool yourself that they offer any advantages.
Donning asbestos suit.
So I laugh at all the talk about how much more efficient clipless pedals are. If you're a hardcore rider they probably offer a small advantage and certainly in extreme conditions like a very steep uphill or a mad finishing sprint they are worthwhile.
The truth is that for most commuters they are not worth the bother of switching shoes, clacking on the floor, unclipping at lights, etc. Ride with them if you like them, but don't fool yourself that they offer any advantages.
Donning asbestos suit.
#14
Back after a long absence
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Bikes: 1974 Schwinn Speedster 3-speed, Raleigh Super Course
Road bike has clipless, commuter has platforms. There's just something about the thought of putting clipless (even toeclips) on a 3 speed upright that makes me cringe. It's also nice to just ride in my dress clothes (in the cold) and shoes without having to deal with changing shoes at work.
one caveat is that my ride is a whopping 1.5 miles each way, so the benefit in power/efficiency/what have you that I would get from being clipped is minimal.
one caveat is that my ride is a whopping 1.5 miles each way, so the benefit in power/efficiency/what have you that I would get from being clipped is minimal.
#16
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 0
From: Arizona, USA
Bikes: Mercier Corvus (commuter), Fila Taos (MTB), Trek 660(Got frame for free and put my LeMans Centurian components on it)
In the fall of 2006 I took the clipless pedals off my commuter so I could ride in winter boots. By the middle of the spring 2007 realized I hardly missed them. I time my rides occasionally, and my best time home is usually about 25 minutes. This was true before and after switching back to platforms.
So I laugh at all the talk about how much more efficient clipless pedals are. If you're a hardcore rider they probably offer a small advantage and certainly in extreme conditions like a very steep uphill or a mad finishing sprint they are worthwhile.
The truth is that for most commuters they are not worth the bother of switching shoes, clacking on the floor, unclipping at lights, etc. Ride with them if you like them, but don't fool yourself that they offer any advantages.
Donning asbestos suit.
So I laugh at all the talk about how much more efficient clipless pedals are. If you're a hardcore rider they probably offer a small advantage and certainly in extreme conditions like a very steep uphill or a mad finishing sprint they are worthwhile.
The truth is that for most commuters they are not worth the bother of switching shoes, clacking on the floor, unclipping at lights, etc. Ride with them if you like them, but don't fool yourself that they offer any advantages.
Donning asbestos suit.
__________________
Sunrise saturday,
I was biking the backroads,
lost in the moment.
Sunrise saturday,
I was biking the backroads,
lost in the moment.
#17
Beer and nachos today!

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Treaty Seven
Bikes: Schwinn Peloton, Schwinn Prelude SS, Specialized Sequoia
There are too many traffic lights on my routes home (47 on one route that's only about 35km), and I'm too much of a clutz to unclip or trackstand at a red, so it's flats for me
#18
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,277
Likes: 3
*waits for the usual anti clipless zealots*
Anyhow, I vastly prefer clipless over non clipless. In winter I am finding that I can keep my feet warmer and need to bail occasionally on ice. So no clipless.
While everyone's experience is different, mine is such that clipless are quite superior for virtually every form of riding. More comfortable, safe, efficient, etc.
Anyhow, I vastly prefer clipless over non clipless. In winter I am finding that I can keep my feet warmer and need to bail occasionally on ice. So no clipless.
While everyone's experience is different, mine is such that clipless are quite superior for virtually every form of riding. More comfortable, safe, efficient, etc.
#19
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 575
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From: North Carolina
I ride with cheap nylon pedals, 'cause that's what came with the bike.
I'd like to move to clips or straps (these pedals can get slippery), but have no desire to try clipless; but then, I commute in normal clothes.
I'd like to move to clips or straps (these pedals can get slippery), but have no desire to try clipless; but then, I commute in normal clothes.
#20
"Purgatory Central"
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 4
From: beautiful "Cypress Gardens" florida
Little different for me. Almost all my nightly commutes are of a high performance nature. I find myself striving to beat my old times, and just generally hammering to get a good workout.
SOooo.....the clipless pedals stay on.
SOooo.....the clipless pedals stay on.
#22
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,277
Likes: 3

I frequently ride with clipless pedals and regular clothes. It is not like a uniform is required for certain pedals.
#23
procrastinating member


Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Nashville TN
Platforms here. Main ride is used for transport, groceries and hauling the toddler to school- so no foot retention. I did try some mini-clips (toe only), but even that seemed a bad idea with the child on the back. The other bike is a DL-1 three-speed, so platforms there as well.
Maybe one day, when I finally get the road bike that I'll get after the longtail, I'll use clipless. Or maybe not.
Maybe one day, when I finally get the road bike that I'll get after the longtail, I'll use clipless. Or maybe not.
#24
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 563
Likes: 0
From: nw ohio
Bikes: 08 Novara Safari; 06 Schwinn Super Sport DBX
same here. 4.2mi commute. thinking about the pegged bmx pedals for the winter, have had a few slips. may try a combo pedal like forte campus for longer recreational rides in the summer.
#25
Seņior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
I ride straight platforms and hunting boots in the winter. I ride clipless 3 seasons, but honestly, toe clips are basically as good as far as I'm concerned. Given it to do over, I'd stick with toe clips. SPD was an interesting experiment and given that I already have it, I'll keep using it, but as soon as either the pedals or the shoes die, it's back to toe clips for me.
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