I ride in sixsixone MB shoes because I use three different bikes for three different purposes. But ultimately, I find that when I get a flat, and don't wanna blow a tube at that moment, its easier for me to catch a bus, or walk the mileage home in MB shoes, than it would be in RB shoes which appear to be designed NOT to be walked in.

I ride clipless on my road bike and MTB, but platform on my commuter (which sees the most miles).

I'm sure there is some loss, but I have to say ... I don't feel it.

For commuting, platforms are the way to go — easier stops, and you can walk in your shoes from the bike rack to your office.

Lots of different kinds of shoes work with clipless pedals, too:

Are you completely ambidextrous?

Just curious because depending on the type of task, even an unfamiliar one, I'll tend to favor one hand (or foot) or the other.

My two older brothers are right handed. My youngest brother is left handed, and I'm mixed.

1. lots
2. if you pedal faster with better technique and power
3. if you learn to utilize them

Basically if you roll along at 10-12mph it's kind of a wash, if you pedal 15mph+ you can utilize more of your muscle groups and reduce peak stress on some groups/connective tissue, you will not keep up with anyone sprinting without them. While another person is using more of the stroke you fighting yourself keeping the legs operating on a smaller section of the circle.

i don't really know how much faster or efficient i am with clipless pedals vs. platforms, but i do know that i ABSOLUTELY LOVE the sensation of being locked onto the pedals. it makes me feel like i have much better control of the bike overall, not having to ever worry about an accidental pedal slip. i can stand up and push as hard as i want to and i know that my foot is always gonna stay secure right there on the pedal. it's a confidence thing.

it's also a psychological thing. with clipless pedals i feel like me and the bike become "one". i've been riding with clipless pedals for 3 years now and last summer i borrowed a bike while on vacation that had regular old platform pedals, and i hated it. i didn't feel like i was really riding the bike, or rather i didn't get the sensation that the bike was just an extension of my body like i do when i'm locked in with clipless pedals. for daily commuting, for centuries, for weekend recreation rides, for running errands, for whatever it may be; if i'm riding a bike, i want to be locked in riding clipless. it's the only way to ride as far as i'm concerned.

The post from BarracksSi showing the variety of shoes available is an important consideration when you talk about clipless. Different pedal/shoe combinations can give vastly different experiences both on and off the bike.

I've seen countless posts complaining that clipless shoes make a lot of noise and are difficult to walk in for any distance. That's true in a lot of cases but not all. With the PI X-Alp series of shoes and egg beater style cleats for example, you can walk all day with virtually no clicking. They're very flexible and comfortable off the bike as well as on. You do however lose some of the advantages of clipless shoes and pedals by having such a flexible sole.

Likewise, modern Shimano and Look road cleats aren't nearly as bad for walking as they used to be. Lake even makes a road shoe with a fair amount of rubber on the bottom which is much nicer to walk on than a typical road shoe, though still stiffer than a regular shoe.

I rode with SPDs for a few years. Honestly, for me they made no noticable difference over toe clips. I'm sure that's because I "wasn't doing it right" but honestly, I don't care. I just like to ride my bike, I don't want to make a friggin' science of it. I found when I was trying to concentrate on form, I wasn't having fun anymore. Eventually I put the platforms and toe clips back on the bike.

Me too, I've fallen over with clipless, but many more times with toe clips. If you set up the clipless right, even if you forget about being clipped in, the push to the side tends to pop the shoe out anyway. ( Hot tip! when you install the pedals/cleats, test them out, while stationary, one at a time! )

I think the efficiency gains, with clips or clipless, is something like 10%, that's just a ballpark, it's noticeable, but not huge. I just like the "solid" feeling it gives me while riding. If you are racing, it's crazy not to take the gain, commuting or other stuff? It's a matter of preference.

For an alternative point-of-view, read Grant Petersen's nifty little rant about cycling shoes and pedals.

What it boils down to is feel. That's such a subjective topic, everybody says they "feel" better, but they do not actually make a measurable difference in efficiency if your pedaling technique is already good. Now, in all fairness, if they "feel better" then you might be tempted to work harder, but the fact is they're just different, not better or worse.

They value of the study that Grant quotes has been debated endlessly. Many would argue just the opposite of what you're saying, and that you need good pedaling technique to get the most out of clipless pedals.

The problem with clipless pedals in my mind is that they require a substantial investment both in terms of time and money to figure out if you like them or not.

Read it before, and I still think it's stupid. He's selling the *Rivendell Bicycle Works* image, and his whole retro-chic world would collapse if he said that clipless pedals -- hell, any kind of foot retention -- were a good thing.

I've tried "rat trap" platforms, I've tried clips with straps, I've tried BMX pedals, I've tried clipless, I've tried half-clips, I've tried rubber platforms. Out of all of those, I like clipless the best.

But then again, if I count when I got my first bike, I've still got about eight years until I reach the 40+ years of experience that Grant has. Maybe I'll change my mind by then.

Exactly, which is why whenever someone asks me what pedals to get, I ask if they've decided on what style of shoes they want to wear.

I've got some Sidi MTB shoes like the ones in the last pic of that post, and they feel a lot like a pair of Sidi road shoes I've got -- stiff, no hot spots, fairly light. But, they're easier to walk on when I'm off the bike, and the pedals they use can also work with all the other shoes I pictured.

I've got road shoes for the fancy road bike when I take it long distances and ride like I'm a slow-domestique-in-training. I don't need a whole lot of versatility on that bike. For my commuter, and especially since I've converted it to drops, I'd like to use a variety of shoes, maybe even some sandals for the summer, while riding to work or across state lines. So, it's going to have a different clipless system than the road bike.

The shoes determine the pedals, not the other way around. IMO.

I think "feel" is pretty significant. When I first got my SPDs, the first thing I noticed is that I was getting tired more quickly. Then I started looking at my bike computer and noticed I was maintaining higher speeds than normal. Its probably just psychological, but the change definitely increased the "weeeeeeeee!" factor.

My biggest problem with them though, is the whole changing shoes. I do a lot of riding to get somewhere rather than riding just to ride. Having to have special bike shoes is annoying.

BarracksSi, where did you cut and paste the picture of those Spud Birkenstocks from?

I dunno, check the URL in the text of my post. I just did a Google image search for "SPD sandals" and it was one of the pics that came up.

Kinda depends on what type of riding you're doing.

I've only been riding for a couple months but took the plunge after several cyclist friends urged me to get them. They all commute to work and participate in centurys/triathlons, which is also my goal.

With that said I started with platforms, so whatever my .02 is actually worth.

If you're casually riding and commuting platforms are more than fine. It will also save you some $$$$

If you're looking to maximize performance I would recommend them. You're going to have to develop technique though, and that takes time. I'm still learning myself. My speed picks up 1-2 mph when I consciously engage my hamstrings and it also eases up the load on my quads. I can shift the burn throughout my leg. It helps a lot when fighting head winds or going uphill. When going uphill and keeping my cadence up I'm 2-3mph faster.

A buddy loaned me a set of rollers that I use during bad weather days and practice technique.

I've noticed a notable improvement in performance.

I switched from toe clips to clipless this season, and I haven't noticed any increase in efficiency or speed. It is much easier to get into the pedals after a stop, however, and somewhat harder to get out.

I live by Power Grips. They lock in better than toe clips, and if you use the long straps, you can wear just about any pair of sandals, sneakers or boots with them. Very durable too.

In the world dominated by righties it is hard to tell whether one is completely ambidextrous. Performing tasks taught by righties (writing, embroidery) or using equipment designed for righties (scissors) I behave as if my dominant side is right. Drawing, especially drafting, I can use left hand, but the right one is better trained already by writing. Painting with brush or roller - 50/50. Using screwdrivers, wrenches, etc. is 50/50.

Where it really stinks is when fast action is required - badminton, volleyball, etc. Since neither side is really dominant it takes some "thinking" which hand/side to use when the ball is coming at me. Hence slightly longer reaction time, so I truly suck at these sports.

Delayed reaction in traffic is luxury one can ill afford, so I conscientiously trained myself to unclip with my right foot.

Sidenote - DH is a third-generation hard-core leftie, I am ambi, both kids are righties. Go figure.

Fun, isn't it?

And the mailman?

I've recently put Power Grips on one of my bikes and really like them too. I'm not a fan of RB shoes for walking but my Mtn bike shoes are great when walking around. I'm using Nashbar SoHo Commuter/Touring Road Bike Pedals on my RB. I like being able to jump on the bike and not have to change shoes if I feel like it or go clipless when I feel the need. So, bottom line is there are many options out there, try some and see what you like.

I quit riding platform pedals w/ sneakers after too many slips/falls off pedals, especially when either pedals or shoes were damp. Toeclips tore up the front of my shoes quickly. I prefer the double-sided MTB pedals and the MTB shoes (SPD cleats) - love my Keen bike sandals. The MTB shoes are quite comfy to walk in and get good traction both on the pedal (before clipping in) and on pavement/rocks. I really feel more secure when standing on the pedals to climb. I probably get better power transfer with the stiffer sole road bike shoes, but lots of intersections and sections of off-bike walking favor the MTBs.

I'm going to have to agree with Grant Peterson. I have good pedaling technique, and I've tried a lot of pedals, and I agree that the primary virtue of any pedal is keeping your feet from slipping off. In my opinion, basic platform pedals are the least efficient by far- but only because they don't do a very good job of keeping your feet on the pedals. Clips with straps are more efficient, but they're such a total pain in the ass that they're not worth it. Clipless are much better, but the performance is vastly exaggerated. The only advantage in my opinion is on hills, and even then it's not huge, and if you have to deal with a lot of stops, clipless are also a pain in the ass. My choice is Grant Peterson's: platforms with pins. You can wear any shoes you want, your feet never slip off, and your performance is very nearly that of clipless, say 90-95% If you're racing, that 10% performance difference is crucial; if you're commuting, the small performance advantage probably isn't worth the inconvenience.

but that's assuming that the only reason anyone would ever ride with clipless pedals is for the 5-10% efficiency gain. as i said before, i ride with clipless not for any specific speed or efficiency gain, i ride them because i absolutely LOVE the feeling of being locked onto the bike. it's all about the man-machine meld that occurs when you have a solid, permanent connection between foot and pedal. i feel more stable, secure, and in control of the bike knowing that i have a hard-point connection to it at my feet.

and the fact that i lock in and out of my pedals dozens of times everyday along my commute means that i can do it in my sleep. it is a completely second nature, "don't even have to think about it", action for me to lock in and out of my pedals, so there's really no inconvenince to riding clipless pedals now that i'm completely accustomed to them. all of my bikes are now equipped with clipless pedals because there's just no other way to ride in my opinion.

others will of course have a different opinion, which is fine, but clipless pedals are not exclusively about speed and efficiency gains.