irwin7638

I switched my roadie back to platforms with clips when the clipless pedals broke. I got tired of wearing the same shoes and the "hotfoot."

Marc

BluesDawg

+1 plus CB Candy on the MTB

I pick the pedal and shoe system that works best for me with the bike and type of riding I do with it. I've never had a problem going from one type to another.

JamieElenbaas

It's been 25 years since I rode with cleats and straps. I'd be terrified to do it today. Clipless all the way!

(By the way, I also use a microwave oven, electronically fuel injected car and a cellular phone. Old school for old school's sake doesn't make much sense to me.)

oldster

I only rode toe clips,straps,and cleats, once, also at least 25 years ago,that was scary then..but only use toe clips and straps now..no cleats.
My car is mechanically injected....
Bud

JamieElenbaas

Bud, 911 2.4l ? ;-)

jimmuller 

Cliplessless? I keep reading this as clueless and I'm not sure how to answer.

oldster

Naw, got rid of the 356,It had a carb. this one is an old 300TD turbo diesel wagon.

Bud

old

Clips with straps on my 20+ year old mountain bike and spd "clipless" on the younger road bike.

OldsCOOL

***ZOMBIE THREAD ALERT***

It has been over 3yrs since I began this thread and am now going to give clipless a try this coming spring. Pedals are picked out but not as sure on the shoes quite yet.

My question is how do you order shoes online? Or is this easier done in a bike shop? I'm thinking the higher local pricing may be well worth the tag for this item.

What did you do?

JanMM

My last pair of Shimano shoes were bought in a local Performance store - nice to be able to try on shoes.
Unfortunately, that store has closed. There are other bike shops, of course, but that one had large selection of a lot of stuff. There is another Performance shop in Indy, but it's way the heck on the other side of town. But, there is also an REI store up there, too, with lots of bike and other stuff.

ClarkinHawaii

Jinkster

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...



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".

bruised

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.

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...

bikemig 

+ 1.

bikemig 

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

Carbonfiberboy 

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.

Rollfast

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

Jim from Boston

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,

OldsCOOL

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.

Jinkster

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"

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.

OldsCOOL

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).

fietsbob

t

Quote:

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

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..

irwin7638

I have gone from toe clips to clipless, back to toe clips and straps, but honestly I think the newer platforms

with embedded pins beat them both for performance, comfort and convenience.

Marc

rumrunn6

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

OldsCOOL

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.