Seriously... who uses good 'ol platform pedals??
03-26-09, 03:42 PM
#26
Not safe for work
Platforms. I am too chicken to try clip pedals. I am too clumsy for clip pedals. I like wearing skate shoes and they go purrfectly with platforms.
I wish I could find a pair of platform pedals in pink.
I wish I could find a pair of platform pedals in pink.
03-26-09, 03:49 PM
#27
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03-26-09, 04:31 PM
#29
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I regularly do 50-80 mile training rides in sneakers and BMX platform pedals. I also commute about 10 miles each way in dress shirt, slacks, and nice shoes (hauling about 15 lbs. worth of equipment). Special shoes and pedals for commuting stoplight to stoplight around town make little sense.
I'm ecstatic I am not alone!!!!!
I am considering replacing my platforms with a different brand. I have a set of Forte from Performance (I think it was SuperGo when I got them) the cage is trapezoidal or parallelogram in shape so the spindle sticks up and doesn't provide the best of grip. Anyone with a suggestion?
03-26-09, 04:55 PM
#30
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I use the GR9s too. My only complaint is that they are poorly sealed against the weather. I use them in all weather, and after a couple of puddle dunkings they get crunchy and I have to open them up and regrease. I've jury-rigged external seals (basically a neoprene washer and an O-ring on each pedal - both from Home Depot) that makes them much more waterproof, but they are still not as weatherproof as a good MTB style platform pedal.
03-26-09, 05:00 PM
#32
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I average well over 100 miles a week (some commuting, some just fun riding and trying to pretend I'm fast) with the clip-n-strap pedals that came on my bike (Wellgo brand) minus the clip-n-straps. Works fine for me, and I like being able to put a foot down in an instant if and when the need arises.
03-26-09, 05:06 PM
#33
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03-26-09, 05:25 PM
#34
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Sounds like you posted this just to get a bunch of people to agree with you, but I'll venture out anyway.
I disagree with the above post that the "need" for clipless pedals is just for racers. I find some type of mechanism to attach my foot to the pedal very useful and it increases my safety. I tried some of those Nashbar platforms with pins over winter and got rid of them after the first commute. Even small bumps in the road made me temporarily lose a strong hold on the pedal. Maybe it's just personal preference, but I really enjoy something that attaches my foot to the pedal.
Having said that, have you looked at PowerGrips? I used those for many years and they work great. You can use regular shoes and still be safely attached to the pedal.
I disagree with the above post that the "need" for clipless pedals is just for racers. I find some type of mechanism to attach my foot to the pedal very useful and it increases my safety. I tried some of those Nashbar platforms with pins over winter and got rid of them after the first commute. Even small bumps in the road made me temporarily lose a strong hold on the pedal. Maybe it's just personal preference, but I really enjoy something that attaches my foot to the pedal.
Having said that, have you looked at PowerGrips? I used those for many years and they work great. You can use regular shoes and still be safely attached to the pedal.
03-26-09, 06:16 PM
#35
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My clipless shoes are my normal shoes. I wear them even on days when I don't bike. Also, clipless pedals are perfectly fine for city commuting. Don't dismiss them as impractical before you've tried them. I think you'll be suprised at how easy it is to get in and out of them. I use Time ATAC's with a pair of normal-shoe-looking Shimano shoes.
Last edited by Yan; 03-26-09 at 06:20 PM.
03-26-09, 06:38 PM
#36
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Yep, got these on all of my bikes (4) and find them to be a nice al'round pedal. 
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My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
03-26-09, 07:00 PM
#37
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03-26-09, 07:14 PM
#38
Pedaled too far.
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Platform pedals with toe clips. Keeps me going strong no matter what shoes I wear.
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03-26-09, 07:14 PM
#39
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I ride with platforms. I like 'em, but I've never tried clipless. So I can't say I like them over clipless. Plus, I'm a poor college student and can't afford clipless pedals and shoes. Maybe when I get a nice road bike I'll do clipless.
03-26-09, 07:23 PM
#40
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Never. For a 10 mile commute each way? IMHO Clipless for sure. I can't understand the hassle argument. But hey, to each his own.
03-26-09, 08:09 PM
#41
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Wellgo pedals with clips and straps on my bikes. Bought them from Nashbar, think the whole set-up cost $30/bike. Works great with the flat shoes I like to wear (size 14). I've used this set-up on 50 mile rides, would not hesitate to use it on longer rides, too.
03-26-09, 08:10 PM
#42
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Satisfied SPD user for more than a decade.
Used a pair or two of classic Lyotard Marcel Berthet platforms (with toe clips) a long time ago.
03-26-09, 08:23 PM
#43
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I favour clipless, but I do ride both ways. In colder weather such as for early or late season, I cycle with ordinary athletic shoes on an ordinary pedal. I don't find that it makes that much difference unless you're riding fast and are doing a lot of hills -- but the shoes I use do keep a good grip on the teeth of the pedal.
As I think I've said before in these forums, I find that clipless has the most advantage if you spin up hills a lot. That's when my feet most want to pull up on the upstroke. So if you don't have clipless or strapped toe clips under those circumstances, you're probably not going to produce quite as much power.
Again, I have to say I prefer clipless, but I don't think they are absolutely necessary for commuting.
As I think I've said before in these forums, I find that clipless has the most advantage if you spin up hills a lot. That's when my feet most want to pull up on the upstroke. So if you don't have clipless or strapped toe clips under those circumstances, you're probably not going to produce quite as much power.
Again, I have to say I prefer clipless, but I don't think they are absolutely necessary for commuting.
03-26-09, 08:53 PM
#44
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03-26-09, 09:07 PM
#45
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My clipless shoes are my normal shoes. I wear them even on days when I don't bike. Also, clipless pedals are perfectly fine for city commuting. Don't dismiss them as impractical before you've tried them. I think you'll be suprised at how easy it is to get in and out of them. I use Time ATAC's with a pair of normal-shoe-looking Shimano shoes.
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--
-=- '05 Jamis Nova -=- '04 Fuji Absolute -=- '94 Trek 820 -=- '77 Schwinn Scrambler 36/36 -=-
Friends don't let friends use brifters.
--
-=- '05 Jamis Nova -=- '04 Fuji Absolute -=- '94 Trek 820 -=- '77 Schwinn Scrambler 36/36 -=-
Friends don't let friends use brifters.
03-26-09, 09:17 PM
#46
You gonna eat that?
Heheh. I'm the only person in my bike club that doesn't use clipless.
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I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
03-26-09, 09:36 PM
#47
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Nothing but platforms here.
I will mention that clipless or toe clips can be very useful for BEGINNERS. You know the ones? They just can't seem to keep the ball of their foot on the pedal sometimes. They step with the arch of the foot.
Once people learn to pedal, they are pretty much useless. It changes from an item of assistance, to an item of prefference, style, or uniform (to identify you as part of a group).
Its a crutch. foot retention is to pedaling, like training wheels are for balance.
I will mention that clipless or toe clips can be very useful for BEGINNERS. You know the ones? They just can't seem to keep the ball of their foot on the pedal sometimes. They step with the arch of the foot.
Once people learn to pedal, they are pretty much useless. It changes from an item of assistance, to an item of prefference, style, or uniform (to identify you as part of a group).
Its a crutch. foot retention is to pedaling, like training wheels are for balance.
03-26-09, 09:38 PM
#48
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Flat pedals all the way. I am not racing and I don't have to climb straight up hills to get to work.
I use clipless on my 'race' bike, and my MTB.
I use clipless on my 'race' bike, and my MTB.
03-26-09, 09:42 PM
#49
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sneakers and regular MTB platform pedals, for 3700 miles so far on the Giant. I thought about clipless but the ride is flat and very nontechnical, its just easy in regular shoes. I'd think about toe clips since I have a couple old pair, but I need more q-factor latitude for knee comfort than they can give me.
03-26-09, 10:03 PM
#50
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Platforms
I stick with platforms on my commuting bike because I can hop on in anything and run to town (10km) for parts/tools/whatever. I have a fabrication shop and have found myself on a quick parts run in my steel toe work boots even. More effeciency and speed aren't really goals for me. I use the bike for freedom and state of mind, and as long as I can burn calories I am happy.
-Ryan
-Ryan