How many mph do people usually gain by going from plateform to clipless pedals?
07-02-10, 10:48 AM
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The correct answer is pie
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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
07-02-10, 11:21 AM
#29
You gonna eat that?
Toe clips, no straps, pretty much does that for me. I can't remember ever slipping out of those.
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07-02-10, 11:59 AM
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3.14159265 of each please. 
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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
07-02-10, 12:15 PM
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Maybe a mile per hour at best. I doubt even that though. Clipless pedals take time to get used to, in terms of skill and muscular development. Most of the benefit comes when climbing or sprinting.
07-02-10, 12:15 PM
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ya think? Wow, it doesn't take a piano to fall on your head to see the obvious. 
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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
07-02-10, 01:05 PM
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07-02-10, 01:31 PM
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Those of you who think that most of the benefit comes when climbing or sprinting, are probably not pedalling very efficiently. If you are pedalling nice round circles, then you're significantly more efficient with clipless pedals. I don't think it can be answered in how many mph. It will depend on timeframe & what sort of speed you're trying to maintain. In a short burst, it may not be real significant. However, I am significantly faster over a longer period because I can employ different muscles. I've done simple tests with a heart rate monitor & varying how efficiently I pedal. Not real scientific, but when I change from just pushing on the downstroke to trying to pedal perfect circles, my speed will increase from 20 to 22mph while my "perceived effort" decreases. Heart rate, however, increases. This is due to the wattage that I'm producing has increased. The "perceived effort" has decreased because I'm employing more than just my quads to produce that wattage.
Personally, I'd probably be about 20mph slower with platforms since I've only ridden with them a handful of times in the last 17 years. The last time I did, I really had a hard time keeping my feet on the pedals.
Personally, I'd probably be about 20mph slower with platforms since I've only ridden with them a handful of times in the last 17 years. The last time I did, I really had a hard time keeping my feet on the pedals.
07-02-10, 02:14 PM
#37
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Wow, magical thinking about pedals. what a shock!
07-02-10, 04:08 PM
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I'm sorry, I'm very sorry... Personally, I never have such problems. I've seen claims like that several times and they make me sad, really. If you can't ride a bike because you it doesn't have clipless pedals on it there is something terribly wrong. I really hope you're just trying to be funny.
Last edited by AdamDZ; 07-02-10 at 04:13 PM.
07-02-10, 04:22 PM
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Clips and straps are usually somewhere between dodecagons and ovals.
07-02-10, 04:29 PM
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No. With anything but clipless pedals, you make a death spiral. 
07-02-10, 05:35 PM
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I got a big jump as the mountain bike pedals feel as though they have been bent as my feet and shoes (the soles don't) now feel like they are rolling off the pedals. And as I alternate between the two when commuting and fun rides is when it is most notable.
I'm probably going to get a pair of clipless for commuting when I replace my cromoly commuter.
07-02-10, 07:39 PM
#43
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You're doing something wrong. With platforms, you make truncated icosahedrons.
07-02-10, 07:51 PM
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Yeah, sometimes I forget you newer folks ain't used to me yet. 
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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
07-02-10, 07:52 PM
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Don't lay your geometry on me, man.
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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
07-02-10, 07:56 PM
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Rode with the plastic pedals today, right one with bad bearings, and swear I lost a good 5 mph from running with metal pedals w/ clips and straps.
It was sprinkling so I didn't dare stand up on those slippery little beasts.
It was sprinkling so I didn't dare stand up on those slippery little beasts.
07-02-10, 08:29 PM
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Is the OP interested in knowing the speed gain in going from toe clips to power grips to clipless pedals? Or, just from 'platform' to clipless?
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07-02-10, 08:32 PM
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I assumed from no foot retention to clipless when I arrived at my completely bogus (but good as any other) figure of 1.75 mph, but the OP wasn't very precise in his/her post.
07-02-10, 10:12 PM
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I haven't ridden platforms in over a decade so I can't tell you for sure. It's a rare thing to be passed by someone not clipped in though. If you are wondering if it is worth it to get clipless pedals, I would say yes without a doubt unless you are a DH or freestyle mountain biker or BMX'er.
Anyone who answers that clipless doesn't make you faster except on hills, over long distances, while sprinting, when wearing cycling shoes, when tired etc.... really just mean to say yes, they make you faster.
Anyone who answers that clipless doesn't make you faster except on hills, over long distances, while sprinting, when wearing cycling shoes, when tired etc.... really just mean to say yes, they make you faster.