big john

frequently? usually? bs

FrenchFit 

I ride clipless or 'non'off and on, have 4 pairs of clipless shoes if you include keen sandals. There are pros and cons, but I'd don't really feel safety plays into it.

Ain't no big thing. If I am climbing hills or a fast group ride I'm clipless. If I'm shopping, visiting or eating I'm likely wearing AdiRacers in toe straps or riding pinned platforms.

The one issue is switching between the two practices. If you do this, muscle memory to unclip comes real slow. You brain gets used to pinned platforms and BLAM, you forget to unclip. Over time, your brain seems to figure out which shoes you're wearing.almost unconscionably

Dudelsack 

Rotten

Been using single sided spd touring pedals on my two primary bikes for a few years now. The kids wanted to go for an ice cream ride last week and as we needed to get moving or end up riding in the dark I just grabbed my tennis shoes. Long story short I kept slipping off the pedals. Felt very uncomfortable, the spd are easy to get used to and unclipping very quickly became second nature. Plus they keep my feet in place over rough roads, potholes, etc.
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Going to get dual sided spd next month for both bikes. It's always been a bit annoying having to flip the touring pedals to clip in.

jack002

Complete nonsense.
I have ridden clipless for about 20 years. I'm on look compatible but could also go to SPD no problem.
I fell when I first started with them. Maybe once or twice. I never damaged the bike or myself in these fall(s). My last fall due to learning clipless pedals was 1999.
Now in 2018 you can NOT make me go back to clips and straps. Not even close to what you get with clipless. My feet don't come out, my feet don't hurt from straps tight on them, I can get out of clipless much eaiser.
I'm not a racer and not gonna start. You got it wrong on who uses clipless pedals.

gregf83 

No reason to ride a bike either. Most people find it more comfortable to be clipped in. I've never heard of anyone 'frequently' falling. At the beginning some forget to unclip until it's too late and they take a zero speed fall. Embarrassing perhaps, but rarely harmful.

DrIsotope

Knock wood, but I've still never tipped over due to forgetting to unclip. I credit big feet.

roybatythighs

I resisted clipless for many years, this year at age 60 I finally committed, and after some nervousness and teething problems I now prefer the feel. I have Shimano M350 with the SH51 cleats.. The downsides are I still have trouble unconnecting , it often takes me 2 or 3 attempts especially if I am tired and I still fall over from time to time (Wednesday for instance). I am inclined to blame the float but that may be unfair

JLDickmon

All my bikes have dual platform pedals.. studs one one side, cleats on the other. More than anything else, I like the way a cleats feel under my feet..
I adjust the retainer until it won't hold, then tighten it up about half a turn.. plenty to keep me secure, quick to release if I need to (I needed to last week). Came around a blind 90 corner on the MUP and darn near collided with one of the homeless guys looking for bottles. Locked up the brakes and clipped out just in time to keep from falling over.
But if I'm just bopping over to Mom's house to make sure she's taken her meds, I'll ride over there in whatever shoes I have on, so I don't gouge up her floors (she has a Kelpie dog that likes to nibble on your toes - shoes are a must around that dog)

JanMM

One more longtime clipless rider who has never fallen related to foot retention devices. (Toe clips, PowerGrips, Clipless) Not yet, anyway.......(sound of rapping on head). Used toe clips/straps (never with cleats) for a long time, then PowerGrips for a year or two and then took up mountain-style SPD in the 90's. Have never used genuine Shimano pedals - but have used a variety of Nashbar, Performance, Wellgo, Victor pedals. Currently have mountain style platforms - with SPD on one side and plain with pins on the other side - on both my commuter and tandem recumbents. (Stoker uses double-sided SPD). My ti recumbent has Nashbar magnesium pedals (spd both sides). In spite of 'exotic' metals, its not a very lightweight bike.
Other than when stoking our tandem, my wife has consistently used toe clips or mini-clips for 40+ years.

Cyclist03516

I use mountain style on my road bike. I wouldn't say walking is normal but not a big deal to walk a bit. After a couple close calls and probably a very public fall or two it becomes second nature to flip out the heel in anticipation of a stop or right on time.

Have no fear. Just another skill to program muscle memory.

OldTryGuy

Comfort is priority. 201 mile ride yesterday with the following that I installed on my 2018 Roubaix Expert ..... https://www.bikenashbar.com/cycling/...sh-pdm424-base .... and wear these .... https://www.amazon.com/Nashbar-Ragster-II-Cycling-Sandals/dp/B004UMFILU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1502404717&sr=8-1&keywords=nashbar+ragster+ii+cycling+sandals&linkCode=sl1&tag=natulivi0ef-20&linkId=ae5196a7bb0dc5454b442aa6ba4ad1da not available any longer.

Patriot1

jackb

As I've mentioned before in other similar postings, I've gone from clips to clipless back to clips and now I use BMX flat pedals with pins. I prefer the latter as my feet do not move or slip and I can wear any shoes or sandals I like. Unless you race, I see no advantage to clipless, but if that's what you want, go for it.

Jseis 

If your aigle and not forgetful, sure. That being said I’ve seen a few clipless takedowns at a stoplight that dropped a halfozen riders abreast. These always start with a “WTF!” moment. I don’t use clipless off-road due to beach sand (where I ride) messing with release. Flats allow change of foot placement if you’ve foot aches and pains.

chelvel

All good points.

To OP: go for it! You already decided. I will not - I like the freedom of the flat pedals.

Rowan

I have ridden clipless since second or third year of my cycling. I started riding 1997 when 42 (I am 63 now). Done some riding on ordinary pedals (mostly commuting to/from work), some with ordinary clips, and a very short time with road racing clipless.

I have much preferred ordinary clipless for over a decade. Currently use Shimano steel ones retained on my shoes with two two screws each, and two-side clipless pedals.

I walk easily because the pedal retainer on the shoe doesn't usually project beyond the sole network, and I am retained on randonnee rides without any discomfort or needless wear..

Mainiac

I disagree that there is nothing to gain with clipless. If I don't concentrate, my right toe turns out as it does when I walk. By turning the plate on my shoe a bit before I tightened it down to the shoe, my foot stays straight. I have no trouble locking in or releasing with this setup. When using clips, the sides of my right shoe would hit the center of the crank. Ruined a good pair of shoes that way.

RonH

I'm 73 and have been riding with clipless pedals since 2001. Started with SPD, then Look, then SPD-SL. In 2012 when I almost didn't get out of the SPD-SLs in a emergency situation I switched to Speedplay Ultralight Action. Never had any problems since.

starkmojo

I use regular old flat pedals. Always have. I hate cages because they are hard to stop and start in. Never went to clipless because I have huge (15 or 16) feet and I hate buying special shoes. I have a hard enough time finding regular shoes. Its worked for me so far.
Probably helps that I have never had a chance to try them because no place stocks the shoes in 15.

fietsbob

I haven't screwed the clipless pedals I own, on my bike in a decade.

Years ago I saw (Advertised) a Mavic shoes/ pedals combination,
with a magnetic connection..

StephenH

I selected my current pedals (Shimano road pedals) by walking into a bike store and saying "Doh! I need pedals!"
I haven't seen a whole lot of reason to pick anything different. I know people that use several different systems/brands and all of them seem satisfied with what they use. I don't remember anyone telling about trying 4 different brands trying to find one they liked, unlike, say, mirrors or bicycles.
On the "get out of them quickly"- I've stalled at slow speeds on the tandem several times (broken chain, dropped chain) and managed to get feet on the ground in time to avoid going over, which is sort of a trick. (You twist your feet sideways to get them out). There was one time that I dropped a chain just as I was starting up a steep hill and fell over, though- that was on my single bike, not the tandem, though. I've never used toe-clips so I can't compare speeds there.
Also, on my Raleigh Sojourn, I used platform pedals for 6 months or a year prior to going clipless, and when I did, I didn't notice any whopping big increase in speed or comfort or anything, so it's not like a major issue if you don't use clipless pedals. Basically, while you're moving, it's more convenient to have clipless pedals, and when you're starting and stopping, it's more convenient to have platform pedals. So if your riding mostly is continuously moving, clipless is more convenient, if you're doing lots of starting and stopping, platform pedals may be more convenient.

expatCanuck

Don't think you're weird. I've been using loose straps most of my life, and will likely stay with them for the years that remain. I wear whatever shoes (or winter boots) I feel like for my 10-mile commute. One less thing to think about, keep track of or spend on.

fietsbob

Just found for my long international bike tours my feet were better
in loose fitting shoes, for the months on the bike.
there, if in clipless shoes , I'd pull my feet out of the shoes..
rather than disengage,
so there a clip and strap scheme wins..

MikeDD

Just to piss people off, riders with their feet clipped in do not stop at stop signs and do not obey traffic laws. Just my opinion, sorry to jump the thread.