I currently ride/commute with toeclips that came on my Trek Pilot bike. Last week I was turning into my driveway at a decent speed and nearly slid out on some dirt/dust. My first reaction was to pull my feet up off the pedal... which didn't work because of the toeclips. If I did lose it, I'd have crashed hard with my feet neatly in the toeclips.

So that got me to thinking that if I got used to getting in/out of clipless pedals, my first reaction would have been to twist out rather than pull up.

Does that logic make sense? Or did I just find an excuse for yet another purchase?

- Jason

I'd just get regular pedals. The kind where you don't have to do anything to remove your feet if you slip out.

Yes, they are safer. Clipless work like ski binds (actually invented by a ski company) and have you out with a simple twist of the foot. I've used both and always prefer clipless. Only down side is you need special shoes which may not work for you if you are commuting.

When clipless are set up with only just enough tension to prevent you from ripping your foot out during your normal worst case uphill you'll find that when fueled by adrenaline that the catch in the pedal is no match for your leg in an emergency. I've had a couple of near misses over the years similar to your case and my foot "magically" was able to dab on the ground to save me and I know full well that I didn't twist to the outside other than perhaps as a by product of my reaction to "MOVE LEG NOW!" from my brain.

Add to this the double sided format of any MTB clipless that avoids the need to flick the pedal and clip around and then fumble your foot into it (I know, you learn how quickly enough) and for me it was an instant winner and complete no brainer.

Just set up the tension for the minimum and carry the allen key on the first few rides. Set it low on purpose and if your foot snaps out where it shouldn't dial it up a click at a time (all four together to maintain consistency of course) until you don't find you're tearing out of them.

yes

safer

(doh!)

If you have your feet strapped to the peddles,toe clips or clipless,your going to have a bad day when you fall.People fall over trying to stop with clipless,let alone at speed.

The clipless will be more safe once used to them. I much prefer the clipless since, as has been pointed out by BCRider, a large amount of force will release your foot.

I've never fallen off a bike because of pedal issues until I've started using clipless. I used to use PowerGrips and those are much better than toe clips. Clipless are better when it comes to power transfer but I've fallen at least 3 times because of them. That being said I will not give up my clipless system for platforms or PowerGrips, ever.

Clipless is safer for me. When I've crashed at speed in clipless the force bounces you out of them, with toeclips I crashed and was still attached to the bike - not good.

I can't imagine falling over because of clipless. Maybe if I put my foot down on wet leaves and the lesser traction made my foot slip. How are people falling over? It's the same as riding with a straight pedal and no clip, just a fraction of a turn. The only time I've fallen over because of a clipless pedal was because it was adjusted tight and it had a freezeup. That's it, in 1992 or 1993. Something has to be wrong if falling over comes easily! I have mine adjusted pretty firm, but I still got a foot knocked out of one when I tapped a crossing confused animal. Assume the foot doesn't come loose at first, which is unlikely, just balance until you can get it out, or start up again, get it loose, and then stop. Or if it doesn't come loose at all (has happened to me with cheapie Wellgo), pull up along something to lean against and figure it. Take the shoe off if need be (which I did).

Clipless is easier than toeclips and as easy as powergrip. Maybe easier because my pedals at least float right for clipping in.

Something is wrong if clipless are trouble.

I have found that getting out of toe clips to be much easier than getting out of a clipless pedal...
but I also remember when I first tried toe clips there was a "getting used" to them period.
I hate clipless because of the need for special shoes...

Not everybody is that absentminded. I think each individual just needs to find something that works with their style. For me, I have never fallen over because I was clipped in.

Oh, and as far as crashes? About 50-50 there, but it's hard to analyze, because in my experience, stuff happens so fast that there isn't time to consciously think about doing something, much less remember whether you actually tried to do it. Put it this way, about half the time I find that I've come out of the clips, about half the time I find that I haven't, and so far it hasn't made any difference.

It's nearly impossible to fall over at speed (unless you are just learning to ride a bike, in which case clipless is definitely not advisable). You may crash, yes, but if you're crashing, the difference between clipless, clips, and platforms is not going to be that great.

I think I have fallen with any/all foot retention systems used today. Even without foot retention systems, now that I think about it. My falls are more frequent with foot retention systems. They have all been low speed events, more embarassing than painful. The typical clipless fall now is with a slow speed turn around, as I start to loose it, I have the delusion that I can save it right until I hit the ground. For low traction road situations (like this winter?), I think I would skip the foot retention devices.

Getting into clippless pedals is effortless. Those straps are cumbersome. I always need look down and take my eyes off of the road... not so for clippless. Still remember, it takes adjustment to get used to clipless. Don't just think you'll think it natural automatically. Practice and it will become automatic.

It also got me thinking though, that if you had gotten used to getting in/out of toe clips your first reaction should have been to pull back rather than pull up...


Don't get me wrong, clipless is clearly a better system in all areas other than convenience, but it isn't this inescapable death trap either. Your straps should be set loose enough that you can pull out quickly in an emergency and really you should be fine. They shouldn't be any more difficult to get into than clipless either.

Clipless has been a lifesaver many a time. I started with them on my Mountain Bike (riding actual trails) and then put some on my commuter. I have never looked back!

One of my more family type bikes has platform/spds. I do this because when I do family rides I wear regular shoes as we usually stop at the park and do other things and I prefer the regular shoes.

Well ... I grew fond of finding reasonably civilian looking shoes for my spd shimano pedals.

One pair of nikes i have have proven to be the best shoes i ever owned ... ever.

I can put 30 motorcycles on centerstands without getting a sore foot afterwards ... ever.

Another vote for clipless. Take a weekend to ride around getting in/out without commuting or traffic pressure. Don't worry about falling. I've fallen slow and I've fallen relatively fast when I got stupid once. But the majority of your falls will be when you stop and can't or forget to clip out. It hurts pride more than it hurts anything else.

Also, make sure your cleats are tight before every ride. I had a screw come and out and couldn't unclip at a railroad stop in the dark on an industrial road with a blind corner. Damn near got squashed by a double trailer dump truck when I was laying in the road unable to get my foot off the pedal and my bike was still on top of me. In hindsight I should have just kicked the shoe off.

Yes if you're riding 2 miles, anything more i recommend some kind of foot retention.

Why would your first reaction with clipless be to twist out in a sudden emergency like that, while with your toe clips, you pulled up? Who pulls "up" to get out of toe clips -- although if riding with loose straps, pulling up would probably pull your foot out anyway.

Which is safer? Depends on the pedals, the adjustment, the tension, straps vs no straps if using toe clips, etc., and of course, a little bit of presence of mind (which seems to be seriously lacking on Bike Forums given all the falling reports).

A lot can be said (and appreciated) with simple platform pedals. For riding around the neighborhood slow with your wife, or just riding to the grocery store is great. They're cheap and simple, you can ride barefoot (the old rubber block kind), and can even wear flip flops with them. They're even good for commuting since thay dont take special shoes or nothin'.

But if you're performance minded and want to be 'one with your bike', where you ride fast and dont want your feet to slip (any), or you like coming out of the saddle to climb hills, or blasting through an intersection to make the light, then clipless is the only way to go. Toe clips and straps are ancient technology and dont keep the heels of your feet away from the crank if your foot decides to unconsciously go that way, plus they're harder to get out of since you have to physically reach down and slap at the metal binder to release the straps. Power straps address that problem, but you still have to pull your feet out of them in a panic stop. They're not as safe as clipless, since all you have to do is twisr your feet inwards (towards the bike) to unclip before you fall over. There is a learning curve to that, but its mastered easily, and a lot safer than clips and straps. Not to mention the literally hundreds of different bike shoes out there that are super cool looking and comfortable, that you could dedicate to your pride and joy and look spiffy as all get out.

Try turning a corner at speed and running over a piece of 1/2 pluming pipe and let me know if you change your mind....

The only time I've fallen over in clipless was when a screw came out (excellent call JR97 on checking your cleats every time you ride!)...I was off balance and couldn't unclip from the other side in time. There is an adjustment period, but if you have good bike control and anticipate stops, you'll have no problem with clipless.

I'm not a big fan of a standard platform, as I am very used to clipless and have been using these type of systems for about 8 years. I have slipped off platforms on wet days or just pushing too hard...these are not good things in the middle of traffic.

My commuter has a platform on one side, spd on the other, which is a combination I like. It's nice to have that platform option for a short distance in normal shoes. Often on a ride, if I know I'll have to unclip a bunch in a short period of time, I'll just ride with one shoe unclipped and on the platform.

I got news fer ya. You turn a corner at speed and run over a piece of 1/2" tubing there aint no pedal system in the world thats gonna save your ass. You're gonna go down like 'Value Jet' in the Everglades and they'll be picking the tangled, road rash scarred heap of you and your bike with a shovel.

I shudder to even think about it.