okay Mr. Zombie...here's my re-entry rider newbie .02 on the topic...

I had never tried "clipless" until a couple months ago...as I reserved what turned out to be claimed by some as an unwarranted fear regarding the safety of such and was schooled by those who do and know that as long as things fit up and are properly adjusted?...with just a few practice sessions clipping in and out can be done as readily and proficiently as though you weren't clipped in at all...in an ingrained muscle memory sort of way and now that I have experienced such?...I tend to agree...not saying they're completely idiot proof as I have a tendency to dumby up in my older years but so far?...so good..and I now love the clipless system for the following reasons....

1. An extremely consistent foot position, (duh)

2. Which never emits that horrid squeaking sound a nike makes when it's rubbing on the crank arm because your foot got too close.

3. "The Superior Balance & Elevated Level Of Pedal Power" one experiences from an elevated level of leg energy going directly into the crank even on the upstroke leg.

That said?...I still had my "Beginner Doubts" so along with my $100 Specialized Body Geometry RBX Road Cleats?...I opted to go with "Dual-Interface Pedals" (just in case)...and love having the option of going clipless/cleats or platform/nikes...with exustar dual-interface pedals...

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=420049http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=420050http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=420051http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=420052

and loved them so much I even put the exustar dual-interface pedals on my Hybrid as well as my RB...so now my two top go-too bikes can be ridden either way.

That said?...no...don't order your cleated shoes off the net...the sales guy at my LBS liked to go by the euro sizes (claiming them to be a more accurate fit measurement)...and then wound up telling me about his goldylocks fitting procedure...where at the end of it all?...there were 3 pairs tried on....one pair on the small end of the sizing spectrum...one on the large and one in the middle and then pick the best fit "tight too my foot"....because a fit that's even a little loose?...will cost you both pedal energy and blisters...you don't want them moving or rocking at all when on your foot under pedal pressure yet at the same time?...not so tight as to decrease blood flow or cause discomfort.

So my recommendation?...donate the few extra bucks to your LBS and buy'em tight and get'im right the first time...and what you spend in higher retail?...might just save you some aggravating and excessive costs of applying return labels for cleats that don't fit "just right". ;)

I snagged a pair of MTB shoes on sale from $249 down to $80 yippee... I used the sizing chart on the website (Nashbar) and sized one up, as I planned to use them in cooler weather with heaver socks, and they fit perfectly.

I then rode around with my normal shoes and platform pedals and noted the fact that my right foot toes-in and my left foot toes-out :) Now I know why I veer to the left a lot. I squint a bit too. :rolleyes:

Anyway, I was able to setup the cleats easily based on my rather spastic feet by making note of my 'normal' pedal/foot positions......

Now's the time to buy shoes online....I've been inundated with coupons left right and center for the past week. I'll be glad when it's over and I have to start paying full retail again...

+ 1.

Wait you un-zombied your own thread? lol. Local is great for shoes. Amazon has a free return policy on many of its shoes.

Local. You may have to try different brands and shop around at different shops to find them. If your feet fit them, and most folks' do, I recommend Sidi Dominators with SPD pedals. Stiff shoes, easy to walk in, last forever. Most long distance riders here use these because they're practical, and as I say, last forever. Well, maybe only 100,000 miles before the liners wear out.

Wouldn't CLIPLESSLESS mean you have clips? - Gilligan's Cyclery

I’m glad I went clipless in 2006 after resisting for years. I do all my cycle shopping at my LBS because they provide such good service, and would never buy online something as important requiring personal sizing such as shoes.

As a counterpoint to the advice about clipless though, consider the tagline of my cycling friend and vintage (“old school”) cyclist, jimmuller,

I would have gone "clipped in" this spring but instead was putting the bike funds into a fresh build. In the quest for performance it now looks like converting is the next step for improvement.

I am a classic cyclist and been using straps and clips since '74. This wont be easy.

I think using and holding onto things that reminds us of days past somehow makes us feel young again...but in a very irrational way...and you won't notice that last part until you try the clipless system...and suddenly discover how easy they are to use with no risk of immediately ending a ride with a strained or pulled back muscle from reaching down to tighten straps and then?....realize it's makes the pedal power of your legs feel at least a decade younger than they actually are.

So I don't think the change will be the difficult part at all....I think the difficult part will be changing your board name too...

"NewsCOOL" :roflmao2:

Jk'ing...but seriously...I think it will turn out to be a very welcome change for you...one that in the end?...will add years and miles too your riding pleasure. ;)

No sentimental value is attached (punfully intended) with the use of clips and straps. I have had several occasions where having straps saved me from danger. Aesthetically, my Cannondale is a hardcore racer and I built it for local courses. This winter I am losing 15Lbs fully knowing that extra weight slows me on hills and sprints. If my riding partner (trains for Tri's) can make the switch, I surely can (we hope to enter a race or two this summer).

t

Quote:

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oeclips, straps and all. I like them. Are there any stap survivors left here??

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I have a Pedal wrench, & have TC pedals & straps *, & touring shoes , & I have clipless pedals and shoes,
but the bikes by the door, that get ridden the most , have platform pedals .

And use rubber sole shoes I can walk in comfortably , and keep my feet dry .

If I need to put the others on, the wrench makes it easy.



* on my month plus bike tours I prefer the loose shoe fit a toeclip-strap kit allows. Shoes with super comfortable insoles..

I Had custom modifications done to my shoes , a recessed slotted cleat ,so shoe was walkable,

For the get off and push hills & Belgian Cafe street side table, lounging..

I have gone from toe clips to clipless, back to toe clips and straps, but honestly I think the newer platforms
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=420135http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=420136
with embedded pins beat them both for performance, comfort and convenience.

Marc

mini clips, no straps. didn't even buy them just cut down the full size to make the minis

My sweetheart '86 Trek 760 will always have the Superbe pedals with clips. It's just too nice to mess with and it's my go-to bike for casual rides around town.

Used to ride clipless, MTB and road. Can't afford the tombees these days, delicate injuries that don't need reinjury.

Like the look of those purple platforms on the left, Mar, what are they.
I need to move my Crank Bros 50/50s to my MTB bike, which still has Mallet Cs, so I can replace the 5050s with something a little sleeker and better shaped for cornering

I just noted that jmm replied during the first incarnation of this thread. :o

Those are actually a grey color "Thin Gripsters" from VP Components. They are an excellent product with good sealed bearings and a well designed cage available in multiple colors. QBP carries them, so most bike shops can get them.
The others are MKS Lambda pedals and I added the spikes to them. The spikes are available from Rivendell.

Marc

I love old threads. :)


When I found my "grail" Trek I started a thread on it in the C&V forum 2yrs ago. When I miraculously bought the bike back in August I dug up the old thread and posted that I bought it. What's funny is when others dont see the dates on posts. :) :) :)

So if Lesley uses slotted cleats, she is "clipless Les", no?

I have 5 bikes. Three have toeclips and straps. Two have LOOK compatible pedals. I cannot have float (at least, not with the OEM knees I am still using). So all shoes are fitted with LOOK black or old fashioned slotted cleats (thank you, Exustar for making really good ones based on the LOOK bolt pattern).

My fix gears get toeclips for the redundancy. (An unplanned un-cleat at 40 mph isn't a big deal.) The rest get the LOOK Delta compatibles because they are available and cheap at Performance/Bike Nashbar so keeping new, reliable pedals on those bikes is easy. And with the no-float requirement, fancy mechanisms, float patterns, etc mean very little.

Ben

Have 5 LBS in my area, and only 1 shop has a selection of cycling shoes, but that's only two brands. So I've purchased 3 pairs on-line and 4 local.

I think my feet are relatively average (US 10.5 E), so I've been very fortunate that the 3 shoes I purchased on-line all fit perfectly. AND, I saved 40 - 50% off retail. There's a lot of great deals on-line, don't hesitate to take advantage of them. You'll likely end up with a much better shoe then you normally would have purchased locally.

For clipless, have these on the commuter, road and MTB bikes. I really prefer the simplicity and connection that clipless provides. For the around town bike, I use platforms to keep it simple with all shoe types.

When I was in my teens, I would wipe out all the time. Then in my early 20s, I put on toe clips. My friend at that time said I’d never get my foot out in time when I wipe out. But I never wiped out for years since I put on the toe clips because the toe clips allowed me to stay in control.

Around that same time, I saw another fellow in school walk around in his cleated bicycle shoes. He looked awkward and uncomfortable walking in them. So I never ever tried cleats. I don’t doubt that cleats may give you superior bicycle peddling efficiency and you may be biking all over the place but at some point in your travel, you’ll have to do some walking.

This year I’m looking for some compact winter boots or overshoes so I can bike in the winter with them. Winter bicycle boots are all cleated.

I go back and forth with one of my bikes. It's a 1961 Follis (or at least that's when I acquired it, new). I sometimes put toe clips on its, sometimes I go clipless.

Speedplays and I won't go back. Used to like Powergrips though.

I love my straps. And I have a box of Christophe clips to last a life time. I commute and like walking in my shoes crocks sandals or any other pair I have!

I have both of these platforms on most of my bikes. They are great with any shoe but remarkable with a skate type of shoe. I’ve been primarily using Five Ten shoes the past five years and find no disadvantage compared to any other retention method. My Grip Kings didn’t come with the extended pins that yours appear to have. Are they an add on or did I inadvertently throw mine away?

The spikes are an add on, I've only seen them available from Rivendell.
Installation is pretty simple.

Marc

Thanks, I should have known that since that’s where I purchased my first set.

Lots of platform MTB pedals come with Pins installed

Here redline-welgo they're stainless , another pair, they tapped the aluminum pedal and use setscrews [pin height adjustable ]

a Drill and a tap and you could do DYI pedal-pins ..

I've been away from home visiting family and have had little time to reply to BF. But now that I'm home again...
He! "Real cyclist use toe clips." Of course they do.

Never have I ever strained or pulled a back muscle from reaching down to tighten straps. Never ever worried about it! But then, I don't exactly tighten them. I get them to exactly the right tension and leave them there, mostly. I can put my feet in and pull them out without fear. I do not use cleats, never did, because I wanted to be able to walk like a human instead of a duck when I got off the bike. Okay, so I do adjust the straps occasionally.

In the old days, meaning when I first started using them, I used to tighten them and then worry that I'd forget to loosen them before coming to a stop. Then one day I had to make a panic stop at a stoplight. I just instinctively pulled my foot out and life went on as usual. That's when I started experimenting with not bothering to fuss with the straps at all. Get 'em just snug enough that I can get my foot in and that just fine, thank you. That was decades and many miles ago (in a galaxy far, far away).

People have told me I'd get more power with newer pedal systems. I think to myself perhaps they are right, but I don't need power in the sense of quicker acceleration. I like to spin lower gears for hills, so I'm ultimately limited by my aerobic capacity. I'm more interested in being able to ride for longer distances at intermediate speeds than in getting that extra burst of power to keep up with a riding group I wouldn't like riding with anyway. Traditional clips and straps keep my feet secure on the pedals and let me pull up on them when the mood strikes. Plus they look cool. That's what bike pedals should look like. :thumb: