Originally Posted by northtexasbiker (Post 19741808)

Are there any SPD-SL pedals that are double sided? Or is it just the SPD (mountain bike clipless)? I would guess the double sided SPD pedals would be optimal, I just don't know what I am sacrificing over road pedals. Anything other than weight?


I mainly cycle for fitness and fun, but I don't have a need to walk around unless I am with my kids and would likely just be sporting some normal athletic shoes then. I just figured that road pedals were better suited for road cycling (which is what I do) vs MTB clipless pedals being better for mountain biking (which I don't do). The main reason I read people using clipless mountain bike pedals on their road bike is because mtb shoes are a lot easier to walk around in, but that wouldn't apply to me.


So I figured a standard clipless road pedal looks big enough that you could comfortably pedal without clipping in with a regular shoe for light around the neighborhood stuff.

Originally Posted by jefnvk (Post 19741816)

And that is one conclusion I am coming to myself. IMO, it is a much better selling point, than the rather ubiquitous talking point I get about being able to pull up.

Originally Posted by TimothyH (Post 19741729)

I've read this over and over but don't believe it is true for the vast majority of people. For those with preexisting conditions maybe but one would have to have the pedals adjusted really poorly to do damage.

Speedplay used to trumpet knee safety as a reason for their free floating design but many people find that holding their feet in a narrow range of motion helps with proper form when tired at the end of a long ride. I've abandoned free floating pedals altogether for this reason and enjoy the narrow 4° range of motion with SPD. My speedplay zero pedals are adjusted to a very narrow range of motion as well.

Never met anyone who had knee problems due to clipless pedals. I'm sure they are out there but I just don't believe that many have found them to be problematic in terms of knees.


-Tim-

Originally Posted by northtexasbiker (Post 19741698)

This may be a stupid question but can you ride with tennis shoes on an SPD-SL pedal? I am just starting out and thinking of going clipless, but don't want to have to wear cycling shoes if I am just cruising around the neighborhood with my kids.

Originally Posted by philbob57 (Post 19741636)

Those who ride modern clipless pedals are vulnerable to messing up their knees if the cleat adjustment is wrong, and they're vulnerable to inability to get out of the pedals at a crucial time. I'm pretty adaptable, but I never could get used to the SPD pedals I tried. I fell half a dozen times in about 500 miles; I fell once using slotted cleats/quill pedals for years.

Originally Posted by philbob57 (Post 19741636)

If you've already made your choice, great - ride what you like. I would appreciate your not telling me to go clipless myself, though.

Originally Posted by Costco hot dogs (Post 19740021)

this thread is hilarious.

Originally Posted by northtexasbiker (Post 19741808)

Are there any SPD-SL pedals that are double sided? Or is it just the SPD (mountain bike clipless)? I would guess the double sided SPD pedals would be optimal, I just don't know what I am sacrificing over road pedals. Anything other than weight?....

Originally Posted by memebag (Post 19741855)

Do people really tell you what kind of pedals to use?

Originally Posted by jefnvk (Post 19741914)

I can't speak for Philbob, but once again, I get unsolicited advice from strangers on needing to switch from platforms regularly, the most recent of which was Friday afternoon, and while spending a week on bikes with two guys earlier this month who didn't even own bikes before the beginning of the year. FWIW, they also thought I was insane for not using Chamois Butter, because that is what real cyclists do, but that is a discussion for a different thread.

If I don't take this bike to a mass ride I am doing the first weekend of August , I am sure I'll get the comment multiple times there too. It is a very real thing.

Originally Posted by memebag (Post 19741967)

Weird. I've never had people tell me what pedals to use. I can't imagine why anyone would care.

Originally Posted by jefnvk (Post 19741914)

I can't speak for Philbob, but once again, I get unsolicited advice from strangers on needing to switch from platforms regularly

Originally Posted by manapua_man (Post 19742640)

Huh, the most I ever get is people asking if I have knee problems when they mistake my platform/SPD combos for regular platforms.

Originally Posted by jefnvk (Post 19742540)

Oh, I fully agree. For some reason in the biking community, if someone isn't doing something the same as you, many take is as a personal affront and must teach you the light!

Originally Posted by jefnvk (Post 19742653)

People are clueless on a whole lot of things, I think is the safe assumption! Seems to be quite a bit of "knowledge" that gets out there, that folks take as the gospel truth once it has been heard.

Even in your situation, what sense would it make to ask if you have knee pain? The logical person would assume if you did, you would change the situation causing it, not just suffer through because you loved platforms so likely there was no issue.

Originally Posted by manapua_man (Post 19742749)

That and hopping up on park benches etc. is a little less sketchy when you're not clipped in.

Originally Posted by memebag (Post 19742704)

Maybe I just ride with the sweetest, most generous and helpful members of the biking community. Or maybe you ride with some dicks.

Originally Posted by SimcoeAce (Post 19742619)

So ... just published yesterday on Youtube, a GCN update on the subject which seems to indicate that, in real world conditions, clipless generate significantly more power in certain situations. I find myself in agreement with all their conclusions.

Originally Posted by SylvainG (Post 19743348)

Here's the video for those too lazy to look for it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkMCYYNTWUY&t=620s

@Kapusta, they also mentioned at the 11 minutes mark that ridding clipless is more... wait for it... efficient :p Don't want to bring back this whole discussion, it just gave me a chuckle went I heard it, that's all :lol:

Originally Posted by DomaneS5 (Post 19743441)

I have flat pedals on my mountain bikes... the rest of my bikes have Speedplay Frogs on them. I still wonder why the hell I didn't use clipless when I first started riding a road bike. For the first year, I used the lame toe-clip, strap pedals that were standard on my Trek 1.1.

Originally Posted by Kapusta (Post 19743473)

I use frogs on my mountain bike. Love them. I used to use them all the time on my road bike, but I am actually starting to go with flats a lot of the time on that now.

Originally Posted by DomaneS5 (Post 19743441)

For the first year, I used the lame toe-clip, strap pedals that were standard on my Trek 1.1.

Originally Posted by jefnvk (Post 19743533)

Luckily, I have wide feet, and never got dragged into the option of toe clips and straps. Tried them once (also because they came on a used bike I bought), and immediately quit using them.

Originally Posted by DomaneS5 (Post 19743552)

I still have my toe clip/strap pedals in storage. I've tried to give them away to several people and nobody would take them. :D

Originally Posted by Kapusta (Post 19743464)

Thanks for bringing another Clipless vs Flats thread to my attention, I would certainly not want to miss another re-hash:)

Originally Posted by DomaneS5 (Post 19743496)

I could easily use Frogs on my hardtail 29er... but most of my rides with that bike are leisurely rail trail rides with my wife. On those rides, we hop on and off our bikes quite a bit, so clipless would be a hassle. I love Speedplay Frogs on my Gravel Bike. I don't think there could be a more perfect pedal for a gravel bike than a Speedplay Frog.