Thinking of clipping in.
#151
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"Bartali has his toes crossed; he's pulling UP on the pedals!!"
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Not long ago, a BF'er talked about having a preference for flat pedals and Crocs for long, multi-day rides. He likes the ability to move his foot around to different parts of the pedal. I'm very much a stiff, light, clipped-in shoe kind of guy (on all my bikes), but I found his preference to be...umm...interesting.
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I tried clipless years ago when a serious cyclist said they make him more efficient because he can pull up with the other foot at the same time he’s pushing down worn one foot.
I found that they DO make me more efficient not for that reason, but because it’s easier for the pulling back part of circular pedaling. On flats, one has to point the toes down and have very good traction on the pedal for this. I’d rather spend that energy toward circular pedaling.
I did fall once before I realized how much force is required to unclip. Very embarrassing and I’m glad it wasn’t in traffic.
I found that they DO make me more efficient not for that reason, but because it’s easier for the pulling back part of circular pedaling. On flats, one has to point the toes down and have very good traction on the pedal for this. I’d rather spend that energy toward circular pedaling.
I did fall once before I realized how much force is required to unclip. Very embarrassing and I’m glad it wasn’t in traffic.
#154
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Except for bike shares and cruisers, I really don't recall experience of riding flat pedals on a road ride. What exactly is it like or is it a lot more difficult though to spin 110 rpm on flats? I would think that the rpm speed, which inherently means less weight on the pedals (vs. 80-90 rpm e.g.) might be a more iffy proposition. But this is an unscientifically based theory.
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Except for bike shares and cruisers, I really don't recall experience of riding flat pedals on a road ride. What exactly is it like or is it a lot more difficult though to spin 110 rpm on flats? I would think that the rpm speed, which inherently means less weight on the pedals (vs. 80-90 rpm e.g.) might be a more iffy proposition. But this is an unscientifically based theory.
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I tried clipless years ago when a serious cyclist said they make him more efficient because he can pull up with the other foot at the same time he’s pushing down worn one foot.
I found that they DO make me more efficient not for that reason, but because it’s easier for the pulling back part of circular pedaling. On flats, one has to point the toes down and have very good traction on the pedal for this. I’d rather spend that energy toward circular pedaling.
I did fall once before I realized how much force is required to unclip. Very embarrassing and I’m glad it wasn’t in traffic.
I found that they DO make me more efficient not for that reason, but because it’s easier for the pulling back part of circular pedaling. On flats, one has to point the toes down and have very good traction on the pedal for this. I’d rather spend that energy toward circular pedaling.
I did fall once before I realized how much force is required to unclip. Very embarrassing and I’m glad it wasn’t in traffic.
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#157
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The earlier suggestion that clipless pedals represent a "crutch," suitable only for saving inexpert riders from their own ineptitude, rang a faint bell. Finally I remembered. Excelsior!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7UNl0Bgwm8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7UNl0Bgwm8
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Except for bike shares and cruisers, I really don't recall experience of riding flat pedals on a road ride. What exactly is it like or is it a lot more difficult though to spin 110 rpm on flats? I would think that the rpm speed, which inherently means less weight on the pedals (vs. 80-90 rpm e.g.) might be a more iffy proposition. But this is an unscientifically based theory.
A quick reminder, higher cadences are energetically disfavored due to the much higher internal work required moving feet, legs and pedals at higher speed: 1.0 W/kg at 110 vs 0.3 W/kg at 70 rpm and 0.6 W/kg at 90 rpm. I don’t do much pedaling above 100 rpm as it isn’t needed in my rides, but there are many circumstances where it is more effective to pay the energy cost for other benefits.
Otto
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My pedals have SPD on one side, flat pedal on the other and ride in sandals equipped with SPD clips. I've found that for long days of touring using the flat side is much more comfortable than the SPD side (the SPD clips on my sandals are embedded so not a problem). Yes, the SPD side might make you more efficient (especially on climbs), but it also "locks" your foot (and attached legs) into one position for long periods of time which I've found to be uncomfortable and wearing.
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My observation is that in the range of 80-90 rpm, I don’t have to attend to pedaling even with flats. Above 110 rpm, it definitely requires attention and becomes difficult to manage above 130 or so, while with toe clips I can pedal at higher speeds without having to mind it at all.
A quick reminder, higher cadences are energetically disfavored due to the much higher internal work required moving feet, legs and pedals at higher speed: 1.0 W/kg at 110 vs 0.3 W/kg at 70 rpm and 0.6 W/kg at 90 rpm. I don’t do much pedaling above 100 rpm as it isn’t needed in my rides, but there are many circumstances where it is more effective to pay the energy cost for other benefits.
Otto
A quick reminder, higher cadences are energetically disfavored due to the much higher internal work required moving feet, legs and pedals at higher speed: 1.0 W/kg at 110 vs 0.3 W/kg at 70 rpm and 0.6 W/kg at 90 rpm. I don’t do much pedaling above 100 rpm as it isn’t needed in my rides, but there are many circumstances where it is more effective to pay the energy cost for other benefits.
Otto
And we're now told that Zone 2 is where you want to be to improve your fat-burning workouts, so doing low-effort, high-cadence workouts much of the time you're on your bike would seem to be a good idea.
Easier on the joints and connective tissue, too.
#161
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My pedals have SPD on one side, flat pedal on the other and ride in sandals equipped with SPD clips. I've found that for long days of touring using the flat side is much more comfortable than the SPD side (the SPD clips on my sandals are embedded so not a problem). Yes, the SPD side might make you more efficient (especially on climbs), but it also "locks" your foot (and attached legs) into one position for long periods of time which I've found to be uncomfortable and wearing.
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I boost off with a downstroke of the foot that's clipped in, but often can't get it clipped in on time and I'm having to stop with a foot down in the middle of the intersection?
I have Shimano road clipless pedals and shoes, so if I try to pedal without being clipped in, the foot just slides off like it's on ball bearings.
#163
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The only way to get better is to practice clipping in and riding on top of the pedals if you can’t. If you still want to clip in and can’t get the hang of road clipless just go mountain where you get both sides of the pedal and and a less complex movement in and out.
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That’s dangerous
The only way to get better is to practice clipping in and riding on top of the pedals if you can’t. If you still want to clip in and can’t get the hang of road clipless just go mountain where you get both sides of the pedal and and a less complex movement in and out.
The only way to get better is to practice clipping in and riding on top of the pedals if you can’t. If you still want to clip in and can’t get the hang of road clipless just go mountain where you get both sides of the pedal and and a less complex movement in and out.
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What's the trick when you have to start uphill to cross a busy street after stopping?
I boost off with a downstroke of the foot that's clipped in, but often can't get it clipped in on time and I'm having to stop with a foot down in the middle of the intersection?
I have Shimano road clipless pedals and shoes, so if I try to pedal without being clipped in, the foot just slides off like it's on ball bearings.
I boost off with a downstroke of the foot that's clipped in, but often can't get it clipped in on time and I'm having to stop with a foot down in the middle of the intersection?
I have Shimano road clipless pedals and shoes, so if I try to pedal without being clipped in, the foot just slides off like it's on ball bearings.
Certainly an advantage of flats in the city. Though, sometimes when I'm commuting I'll just use my road bike with normal shoes instead of clipping in and that works just fine for that purpose, to be honest.
Sticking with good MTB flat pedals on my gravel/allroad bike, it's handy when I have to take my foot off on some sketchy bit. Doesn't slow me down on the road except I can't sprint nearly as hard (that's about the only time the whole pull up thing becomes relevant; in anything over a minute you are bounded by the amount of oxygen, not how much muscle mass you can recruit).
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That’s dangerous
The only way to get better is to practice clipping in and riding on top of the pedals if you can’t. If you still want to clip in and can’t get the hang of road clipless just go mountain where you get both sides of the pedal and and a less complex movement in and out.
The only way to get better is to practice clipping in and riding on top of the pedals if you can’t. If you still want to clip in and can’t get the hang of road clipless just go mountain where you get both sides of the pedal and and a less complex movement in and out.
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What's the trick when you have to start uphill to cross a busy street after stopping?
I boost off with a downstroke of the foot that's clipped in, but often can't get it clipped in on time and I'm having to stop with a foot down in the middle of the intersection?
I have Shimano road clipless pedals and shoes, so if I try to pedal without being clipped in, the foot just slides off like it's on ball bearings.
I boost off with a downstroke of the foot that's clipped in, but often can't get it clipped in on time and I'm having to stop with a foot down in the middle of the intersection?
I have Shimano road clipless pedals and shoes, so if I try to pedal without being clipped in, the foot just slides off like it's on ball bearings.
#168
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What's the trick when you have to start uphill to cross a busy street after stopping?
I boost off with a downstroke of the foot that's clipped in, but often can't get it clipped in on time and I'm having to stop with a foot down in the middle of the intersection?
I have Shimano road clipless pedals and shoes, so if I try to pedal without being clipped in, the foot just slides off like it's on ball bearings.
I boost off with a downstroke of the foot that's clipped in, but often can't get it clipped in on time and I'm having to stop with a foot down in the middle of the intersection?
I have Shimano road clipless pedals and shoes, so if I try to pedal without being clipped in, the foot just slides off like it's on ball bearings.
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What's the trick when you have to start uphill to cross a busy street after stopping?
I boost off with a downstroke of the foot that's clipped in, but often can't get it clipped in on time and I'm having to stop with a foot down in the middle of the intersection?
I have Shimano road clipless pedals and shoes, so if I try to pedal without being clipped in, the foot just slides off like it's on ball bearings.
I boost off with a downstroke of the foot that's clipped in, but often can't get it clipped in on time and I'm having to stop with a foot down in the middle of the intersection?
I have Shimano road clipless pedals and shoes, so if I try to pedal without being clipped in, the foot just slides off like it's on ball bearings.
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My pedals have SPD on one side, flat pedal on the other and ride in sandals equipped with SPD clips. I've found that for long days of touring using the flat side is much more comfortable than the SPD side (the SPD clips on my sandals are embedded so not a problem). Yes, the SPD side might make you more efficient (especially on climbs), but it also "locks" your foot (and attached legs) into one position for long periods of time which I've found to be uncomfortable and wearing.
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Just curious, what pedals do you have? I've been riding the PD-EH500 pedals for a few years, and while I have no complaints aobut their functinality, I don't like the fact that they only come in one colour that doesn't match my black bike. So I've been searching for a good set of SPD/flat pedals that are as compact as the EH500 and come in black.
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Thanks! I tried those for a few months before switching back to the EH500, mainly because I like compact platforms. They're definitely great pedals.
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Yes. The double-sided pedals all but eliminate fumbling to clip in while starting off. The only down-sides are a slight weight penalty and maybe "What will the cool kids think!" anxiety. My remaining sets of SPD single-sided pedals eventually migrated to my least-used bikes.
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Yes. The double-sided pedals all but eliminate fumbling to clip in while starting off. The only down-sides are a slight weight penalty and maybe "What will the cool kids think!" anxiety. My remaining sets of SPD single-sided pedals eventually migrated to my least-used bikes.
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It's been decades since I scraped a pedal in a corner, even on my fixed-gear bikes. Tip: lean your upper body into the corner while keeping the bike more upright, and you can get another degree or two of lean without scraping the pedal.