You can't imagine how spinning cranks could inflict more injury?

I think I've done about 12,500 km since commute and that hasn't happened once.

I haven't slipped off the pedals once even when commuting in the winter.

Did you ride those 12,500 km fixed gear or freewheel ??...there is a difference.

Therefore it could never happen? FWIW, I have. Besides the post I was responding was discussing what would happen if your foot did slip off.

10,000 on a MTB

last 2,500 on a SS.

I'm making the argument that after (2min/km [MENTION=43260]80rpm[/MENTION] so 160rpm/km for 12,500km) an estimated 2,000,000 rpm and it hasn't happened once, that I'm not considering clip less pedals.

Seems like flawed logic to invest a fair bit of £ for a tiny problem.

I didn't read through all the arguing, but here are my thoughts.

I keep seeing people say stuff like "clipless for speed" "clipless won't really make you faster", etc. .. to that, I say that I prefer clipless (spd-sl) for climbing during my long uphill commute home. Being able to pull up while going up hills makes those hills easier. I also have a good connection to the pedals when it's raining and don't have to worry about my wet soles slipping around. Toe clips work ok in that case too, but still felt a little slippery.

I commute on my fixed gear mostly and being clipped in gives me a lot more speed and stopping control than regular toe-clips ever did. I keep a pair of shoes under my desk at work so no issues with changing shoes. If I do stop somewhere on the way home and need to walk around any stores or anything, it's really not hard at all, I don't understand why people have problems honestly. Sure i'm not going to walk for miles, but a little walking isn't difficult.

Get out of here with your entirely reasonable response.

Because they look like crap. I do understand that trainers/"sneakers" are acceptable footwear outside of the gym in North America. This is not true on most of the planet. I'd easily get turned away from most restaurants will clip less shoes (I always carry a bow tie with me if I don't have a jacket.)

And a fair bit of pubs won't allow them depending on the flooring they have (mostly solid wood).

It's not a workable option for people who use bikes as sole transport.

I just meant why people say it's hard to walk in them. I understand they're not good for much off the bike. I've had security at stores not want to let me in with my shoes, but I put a rubber cover on the cleat and they were fine with it.

That said, I can understand where you're coming from as far as 'sole transport'. If I were riding anywhere other than work/home on a regular basis, i'd probably keep regular pedals on at least one of my bikes for those rides, or bring my walking shoes in a "man-purse" or something.

This is not a dig on you directly, but I find it humorous that people on this forum (commuting), don't understand that a pair of reasonable shoes is required when a bike is sole transport.

Some of the previously posted clipless shoes are woefully inadequate (and that's being nice).

My colleagues that ride clipless with cycle clothing usually hit the bathroom at the restaurant and do a quick change and they can usually get in. Also, the uni is the big employer in the area, so faculty get special treatment, which I don't really like.

I didn't know Europe had such strict dress codes for it's citizens. Are you saying most businesses in Europe turn away any person who is wearing athletic pants, running shoes and sleeveless top ??...I am glad I don't live in Europe anymore, I like my freedom.

tracksuits are a no-go for sure. i like it that way. i'm not on the sofa, i'm spending money to not be surrounded by lazy people.

in stockholm nearly every bar had a red carpet and coat check.

to be honest, i don't own a t-shirt and don't remember the last time i saw one in the wild (not in the gym).

To be fair, so does moving your foot forward on the pedal.

I find it easier to climb hills with toe clips and straps then with my bmx pedals without toe clips and straps. Pulling up does make a difference.

The fact remains that moving one's feet forward on the pedals makes it easier to climb compared to ball over spindle positioning.

How?!?!?!

perhaps at a fancy restaurant but this is simply not true at most cafes, pubs, bars, and restaurants.


trolling.

i don't know what sort of pubs you frequent but i've worn clipless shoes in many dozens of pubs in the UK and have never been turned away (even stuffy pubs in the city). ditto for bars/cafes in southern europe.

there are many businesses in north america that would turn away someone dressed like this. clubs and fancy bars are more likely to have a dress code in europe but there are plenty of places where one can grab a nice meal/drink dressed in athletic pants and trainers in any european nation. heck, in many european nations people wearing expensive athletic pants and running shoes are club/bar VIPs (and you often don't want to mess with these people).

On a MTB and a SS right? Fixed is different. Since the pedals are always moving, the chances of your foot coming off is greater and the consequences are worse. But a lot depends on how you ride. I'm comfortable on a fixed gear without foot retention but I ride more conservatively.

Some people like riding fixed in the winter because of the added feel it gives you. I don't ride fixed gear in the winter because I don't want any foot retention other than pins. I want to be able to get my foot down in a hurry if need be. So for me, clipless is less safe during the winter. I'm not a clipless evangelist but I find them advantages in certain situations.

Take a look at Quoc Pham or some of the DZR models. The Quoc Phams aren't really my cup of tea but I do like some of the DZRs. A suitably recessed cleat, especially with a cover isn't going to hurt a wood floor.

That's interesting, when I lived in Germany in the mid 80s, and France in the early 90s, Nike tracksuits and running shoes were the ubiquitous casual day wear.

It was a regular ride over some bumps and my foot bounced off the pedal..not slipped..bounced so the grippiness of the pedal pins had no effect. Actually this happened about three times over a week's stretch...enough for my sorry shins.
Rich

in the 80s germans wore really wild running shoes with neon colors and velcro straps. everyone else in europe made fun of them.

Huh. I guess it's difficult for me to relate to a situation where my foot would be on the peddle loosely enough that it could bounce off the pedal. If I hit bumps, it just...increases the force between my foot and the pedal...