How much difference do clipless pedals make?
02-27-11 | 05:25 PM
#101
Probably Injured
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
Bikes: Kona Paddywagon, Surly Crosscheck
90RPM is not fast. Maybe for comfort bike riders on the MUP, but not for anyone who refers to themselves as a cyclist.
Without foot retention, you're using muscle groups just to keep your foot on the pedal. I don't care if the pedal has gigantic metal spikes in it to keep your foot from slipping, you're still exerting energy to keep your feet down on the pedals.
With foot retention, those muscles can be focused on propelling the pedals.
Switching from platforms to clipless you notice immediately that if you push too hard some of your muscles get sore, because you're using muscle groups that weren't active before in the pedal stroke. How does that not equate to a noticeable improvement in efficiency? It's not going to make you 10mph faster on average, but to claim that clipless pedals aren't more efficient is bogus.
Yes, better technique does make you more efficient, but better foot retention allows you to better use the muscle groups responsible for a smooth pedal stroke.
Without foot retention, you're using muscle groups just to keep your foot on the pedal. I don't care if the pedal has gigantic metal spikes in it to keep your foot from slipping, you're still exerting energy to keep your feet down on the pedals.
With foot retention, those muscles can be focused on propelling the pedals.
Switching from platforms to clipless you notice immediately that if you push too hard some of your muscles get sore, because you're using muscle groups that weren't active before in the pedal stroke. How does that not equate to a noticeable improvement in efficiency? It's not going to make you 10mph faster on average, but to claim that clipless pedals aren't more efficient is bogus.
Yes, better technique does make you more efficient, but better foot retention allows you to better use the muscle groups responsible for a smooth pedal stroke.
You can argue semantics about whether or not pulling up on the back part of the stroke makes a difference and all that, but to me it mostly comes down to the above. If you have no retention, you are almost guaranteed to be putting some back pressure on the pedals just to keep your feet on them. With retention it's a non-issue. To me the gains in performance are mental, because I can just focus on going. The other gains are mental. I like not worrying about positioning my feet. The cleats are set where I'm comfortable on my bike. I clip in and go. Straps vs. clipless is mostly dependent on how well each is set-up and individual preference, but both are useful, and there's a reason why people use each, otherwise there wouldn't be a huge market for them.
02-27-11 | 05:56 PM
#102
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8,701
Likes: 2,506
From: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
[QUOTE=shouldberiding;12287641
With foot retention, those muscles can be focused on propelling the pedals.
Yes, better technique does make you more efficient, but better foot retention allows you to better use the muscle groups responsible for a smooth pedal stroke.[/QUOTE]
I agree... but clipless pedals are not neccssity for that... my toe clips and straps accomplish this very well, and I have many choices as to what shoes I want to wear. I have a very smooth pedal stroke no matter what pedals I use, but that's because I ride fixed a lot and not because of what pedals I use.
With foot retention, those muscles can be focused on propelling the pedals.
Yes, better technique does make you more efficient, but better foot retention allows you to better use the muscle groups responsible for a smooth pedal stroke.[/QUOTE]
I agree... but clipless pedals are not neccssity for that... my toe clips and straps accomplish this very well, and I have many choices as to what shoes I want to wear. I have a very smooth pedal stroke no matter what pedals I use, but that's because I ride fixed a lot and not because of what pedals I use.
02-27-11 | 10:59 PM
#103
bragi
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 3
From: seattle, WA
Bikes: LHT
I totally agree with you. Clipless pedals are vastly superior to toe clips in every respect. My only gripe with clipless is the sometimes totalitarian attitude of some clipless users. The assumption that you're not a serious/competent rider if you don't use clipless kind of offends me.
02-27-11 | 11:22 PM
#104
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,863
Likes: 6
From: Washington, DC
Bikes: Some bikes. Hell, they're all the same, ain't they?
I totally agree with you. Clipless pedals are vastly superior to toe clips in every respect. My only gripe with clipless is the sometimes totalitarian attitude of some clipless users. The assumption that you're not a serious/competent rider if you don't use clipless kind of offends me.
Really, the only time I feel comfortable tightening toeclip straps is on spin bikes at the gym -- but then my gym shoes are pretty flexible and not so great for pedaling. I certainly don't want to scuff up my nicer shoes with toeclips while riding to work, either (the leather-covered half-clips I have now scuff them up, too). It would come back to wearing certain shoes, preferably beater shoes with a stiffer sole, for riding with toeclips... and that's not very different from using cycling shoes with cleats and clipless pedals.
02-28-11 | 08:15 AM
#105
VeloFellow
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Bikes: Commuter(Specialized Globe 6,IG8), Mountain (Specialized FSR), Road (Felt F55-2006)
As a bike commuter I feel safer with my feet clicked in. Because my mountain bike, road bike and commuter all have clipless pedals I go from bike to bike without having to rethink how my feet feel on the pedals. Works for me these past 7,500+ miles since I bought my commuter.
I would only suggest using the sort of pedal that makes you feel safest and in tune with your bike.
(BTW, I keep a pair of regular shoes at my office)
I would only suggest using the sort of pedal that makes you feel safest and in tune with your bike.
(BTW, I keep a pair of regular shoes at my office)
Last edited by 3bikes; 02-28-11 at 08:16 AM. Reason: additional information
02-28-11 | 02:46 PM
#106
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
I didn't read anyones responses, so someone may have said this but...
I went clipless & have never looked back. Faster. More power. More fun. I even got the pedals that have one clipless side & one flat side, for regular shoes, just for convenience. Since I got the pedals/shoes, I haven't biked with anything else. If you're worried about falling, it's not that hard. Soon enough it's second nature. Have fun!
I went clipless & have never looked back. Faster. More power. More fun. I even got the pedals that have one clipless side & one flat side, for regular shoes, just for convenience. Since I got the pedals/shoes, I haven't biked with anything else. If you're worried about falling, it's not that hard. Soon enough it's second nature. Have fun!
02-28-11 | 05:29 PM
#107
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, Canada
Bikes: Brodie Force w/ Xtracycle, Dahon Helios, Merida Folding, Pacific Carryme, Softride Classic
I don't find a meaningful difference between them. For any non-race application, I think clipless pedals are part of the kit that makes someone feel like they are a cyclist. If you commute in heavy traffic, I think it is safer not to be clipped in. Just my opinion.
02-28-11 | 05:44 PM
#108
rebmeM roineS
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,230
Likes: 363
From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
I've commuted in heavy traffic with toe clips, power grips and now (for about 15 years) clipless. I don't see any safety disadvantage to clipless - or toe clips or power grips.
I do feel sorta like a cyclist when I use clipless.
I do feel sorta like a cyclist when I use clipless.
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Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
