Clipless Pedals (again)
05-15-09 | 08:26 AM
#26
L T X B O M P F A N S R
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 5
From: Malden, MA
Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi San Jose, Redline 925
People are probably annoyed with me saying this over and over but... I find that clipless are just as easy as platforms in tight urban traffic. And I don't see how it's any more dangerous than any other pedal option.
05-15-09 | 08:28 AM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,824
Likes: 0
From: Western Chicagoland
So far, about 10 miles is the longest route that I have found for my commute to work where I am actually always headed generally in the direction that work is. To go longer, I would have to actually ride away from work. Natural obstructions and suburban roads ill suited for bicycles limit my choices. I like clipless, and don't regret buying them in any way. I once bought some shoes for $20, and I hate them. However, they came with cleats, so it wasn't a total loss. I am a fan of the rigid, stiff shoe bottom when using clipless. Spd moutain shoes are easy enough to walk into and out of work, and the double sided spd pedals are easy to clip in and out without thinking of them with some experience.
05-15-09 | 08:48 AM
#29
member. heh.
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,631
Likes: 0
From: Williamsburg, VA
+1, "danger" is not something that comes to mind when considering the clipless vs. cages vs. platform vs. whatever question.
05-15-09 | 08:52 AM
#30
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
Likes: 7
From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
05-15-09 | 09:29 AM
#31
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,878
Likes: 1
From: Boston (sort of)
Bikes: 1 road, 1 Urban Assault Vehicle
Of course, in Boston there is no "everybody else": people commute using all types of vehicles (or none at all), wearing all kinds of clothes, so you'd really have to be uber-paranoid to imagine people were looking at you funny just for wearing bike shoes.
05-15-09 | 09:35 AM
#32
12mph+ commuter
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 863
Likes: 1
From: Oak Park, IL
I'll just say: my mountain shoes with recessed cleats are ridiculously annoying to walk on uneven ground with. If I'm in a building with flat tiles or wood or something, they are fine. But, on sidewalk or steps with texture, they grind hardcore. They are shimano MT31s.
05-15-09 | 09:54 AM
#33
Callipygian Connoisseur
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 351
Wow. That'll teach me to dare posting my opinion. I'll do my best to fall in line with rest before I make that mistake again.
I'm sticking with my advice that the OP at least TRY them and judge for him/herself (even after stating I don't care for them) and go from there.
Funny, but I didn't expect that expressing my opinion on the subject, and suggesting that one decide for themselves would be so disturbing to others. Sorry.
I'm sticking with my advice that the OP at least TRY them and judge for him/herself (even after stating I don't care for them) and go from there.
Funny, but I didn't expect that expressing my opinion on the subject, and suggesting that one decide for themselves would be so disturbing to others. Sorry.
05-15-09 | 11:27 AM
#35
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 8,101
Likes: 17
From: Minneapolis
So, I bought the Schimano 520's last night. Installed them on my bike. I practiced for about five minutes. Getting in and out was pretty intuitive. Having them set at the lowest setting allowed for easy exits. I commuted for the first time this morning, determined not to embarass myself. Then it happened. I could feel a lot of movement in my left foot, which should have been my first indication that something was wrong. Sure enough, I got the the corner and I couldn't release my foot. Down I went, in slow motion, in front of 20 cars. Turns out my cleat had come loose and therefore when I moved my foot to release, nothing happened. It took a screwdriver to get the cleat out of the pedal mechanism. How embarassing.
Otherwise it was a pretty pleasant ride. I can tell the difference in my pedaling motion, but am not sure yet how vthat difference equates into effectiveness. I'll stay with it for a while and see how it goes. It certainly wasn't the drmatic difference I expected, but hey, I'm still learning.
I do have a question for those who are still reading. I did detect some numbness in my right toes after about 5-7 miles. My left foot felt fine. Anyone know what might cause this? Thanks.
Otherwise it was a pretty pleasant ride. I can tell the difference in my pedaling motion, but am not sure yet how vthat difference equates into effectiveness. I'll stay with it for a while and see how it goes. It certainly wasn't the drmatic difference I expected, but hey, I'm still learning.
I do have a question for those who are still reading. I did detect some numbness in my right toes after about 5-7 miles. My left foot felt fine. Anyone know what might cause this? Thanks.
A new guy with a Trek Madone came last night and he struggled a bit. He was wearing a heart rate monitor that would start beeping like crazy if he was exceeding his target rate. The poor guy. Not only is he struggling but everyone else in the group can hear exactly how much. For many stretches of the ride all the beeping made it sound like a bomb was about to blow.
To cap it all off, about two blocks from the end of the ride, he falls over 'cause he couldn't get unclipped.
Talk about a bad night.
Now you hear a lot of griping about roadies but this group is pretty cool and were very encouraging toward him. I hope he comes back.
05-16-09 | 12:27 AM
#36
bragi
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 3
From: seattle, WA
Bikes: LHT
Wow. That'll teach me to dare posting my opinion. I'll do my best to fall in line with rest before I make that mistake again.
I'm sticking with my advice that the OP at least TRY them and judge for him/herself (even after stating I don't care for them) and go from there.
Funny, but I didn't expect that expressing my opinion on the subject, and suggesting that one decide for themselves would be so disturbing to others. Sorry.
I'm sticking with my advice that the OP at least TRY them and judge for him/herself (even after stating I don't care for them) and go from there.
Funny, but I didn't expect that expressing my opinion on the subject, and suggesting that one decide for themselves would be so disturbing to others. Sorry.
05-16-09 | 05:47 AM
#37
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,878
Likes: 1
From: Boston (sort of)
Bikes: 1 road, 1 Urban Assault Vehicle
A new guy with a Trek Madone came last night and he struggled a bit. He was wearing a heart rate monitor that would start beeping like crazy if he was exceeding his target rate. The poor guy. Not only is he struggling but everyone else in the group can hear exactly how much. For many stretches of the ride all the beeping made it sound like a bomb was about to blow.
