Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

anyone else hate clipless?

Search
Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

anyone else hate clipless?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-17-08 | 07:34 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
anyone else hate clipless?

i'm starting to find it annoying. today i fell over and jammed my middle finger. why? because my left shoes was clipped in even though i didn't know it.

clipping in at light also sucks.
goldfishin is offline  
Reply
Old 07-17-08 | 07:38 PM
  #2  
envane's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 828
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
You don't get the massive efficiency gains that is claimed.

So, if you don't like it, ditch it.

Me, I've done centuries on platforms, in sandals.
envane is offline  
Reply
Old 07-17-08 | 07:39 PM
  #3  
jaxgtr's Avatar
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
Sheldon Brown Memorial - Titanium
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,691
Likes: 2,576
From: Jacksonville, FL

Bikes: Trek Checkmate, Lynskey Elysium, Trek FX 5 Sport

Just means you need to practice more. If they are new, it may take a few weeks for them to loosen up a tad.
__________________
Brian | 2025 Trek Checkmate | 2025 Lynskey Elysium | 2022 Trek FX Sport 5
Originally Posted by AEO
you should learn to embrace change, and mock it's failings every step of the way.




jaxgtr is offline  
Reply
Old 07-17-08 | 07:50 PM
  #4  
Wordbiker's Avatar
Pwnerer
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,909
Likes: 5
I like clipless pedals, even raced DH with them.

I really don't see an issue with them.
__________________
Originally Posted by ahsposo
Ski, bike and wish I was gay.
Wordbiker is offline  
Reply
Old 07-17-08 | 07:53 PM
  #5  
Administrator
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,651
Likes: 2,694
From: Delaware shore

Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX

Originally Posted by goldfishin
i'm starting to find it annoying. today i fell over and jammed my middle finger. why? because my left shoes was clipped in even though i didn't know it.

clipping in at light also sucks.
If you have that problem, get rid of them. Clipless help a lot when you pedal hard and get the benefit of pulling up so there's 360 degree force on the pedal movement. If you don't know you are clipped in, go with regular pedals.
StanSeven is offline  
Reply
Old 07-17-08 | 08:17 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,277
Likes: 3
I could ride a century in a speedo. So what?
<-- tired of I have done this in that so you don't need blah blah blah posts.

Anyhow, I love clipless pedals but they are not for everyone. If you do not like them put platforms on. Tis your life.
DataJunkie is offline  
Reply
Old 07-17-08 | 08:21 PM
  #7  
StephenH's Avatar
Uber Goober
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 11,756
Likes: 42
From: Dallas area, Texas
I've never used them, and haven't really seen the need. Doesn't mean I "hate" them, just not overly interested in them.

I noticed at the last charity ride I was at, I went in the building to find a bathroom. They had hard floors, and it sounded like a parade of horses clipclopping in there. So I think there must have been about ten of us out 2,000 that weren't using them.
__________________
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
StephenH is offline  
Reply
Old 07-17-08 | 08:24 PM
  #8  
Sprocket Man's Avatar
Prefers Aluminum
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 2
From: Honolulu

Bikes: Wife: Trek 5200, C'dale Rush Feminine, Vitus 979 Me: Felt S25, Cervelo Soloist, C'dale Killer V500, Miyata Pro (fixie)

Originally Posted by goldfishin
i'm starting to find it annoying. today i fell over and jammed my middle finger. why? because my left shoes was clipped in even though i didn't know it.

clipping in at light also sucks.
One of the things I do is to clip out several yards before I actually need to stop. That way you'll be guaranteed to have one foot free when you come to a complete stop.

But if you're not racing, and if you're not really serious about riding fast, I don't think it's really all that necessary. Platform pedals are cool, and as an added bonus, you can use them with almost any type of footwear.
Sprocket Man is offline  
Reply
Old 07-17-08 | 08:34 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,811
Likes: 0
From: Northern Nevada
I don't HATE clipless, but I don't use it anymore. I've had different systems on three road bikes and a mountain bike, and they worked fine, but about two years ago I realized it was more a PITA than a help. I went back to old school toe clips and mountain shoes (lugged soles) without cleats. I'm no slower anywhere, don't get any more tired on long rides and I can go in for coffee without walking like a duck.
Velo Dog is offline  
Reply
Old 07-17-08 | 08:58 PM
  #10  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
i do that too. problem is that i never tried to clip in.
goldfishin is offline  
Reply
Old 07-17-08 | 09:06 PM
  #11  
Gonzlobo's Avatar
Red light runner
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque

Bikes: Seven Sola

Nope.
Gonzlobo is offline  
Reply
Old 07-17-08 | 09:20 PM
  #12  
Kabloink's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 605
Likes: 2
From: Central Texas
I still prefer loose clips over clipless. Super easy to get in and out of and you can even use them with sneakers.
Kabloink is offline  
Reply
Old 07-17-08 | 09:37 PM
  #13  
JanMM's Avatar
rebmeM roineS
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,230
Likes: 363
From: Metro Indy, IN

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer

If I said I rode a century barefoot on platform pedals with pins that would not be true.
https://bmxbc.homestead.com/694.jpg
JanMM is offline  
Reply
Old 07-17-08 | 09:50 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 8
Clipless is pointless...unless you are a pro who gets fittings from the very best people in the field. Locking yourself to a pedal is an excellent way to create business for knee surgeons but not a good way to ride a bike.

For fitness and recreational cyclists, a good BMX pedal (one that fully supports the entire forward portion of the foot) is a better way to go. It enables you to select the best foot position for your needs at a given moment, but easily change your foot to another position. A GOOD BMX pedal "locks" to a rubber soled shoe or sandal and your foot can NOT come off the pedal by accident.

Rivendell sells both an expensive and an inexpensive BMX pedal made by MKS. Both are fine pedals, but the expensive one is built to last a lifetime.

There are folks who do not know how a bike works, and they delude themselves into thinking that they are "lifting" the pedals with their feet. Every scientific study done on pedals proves the opposite...as the pedal rises, it is lifting your foot and leg.

The speed of the bike depends on the speed of your cadence. A person who can maintain a 100 RPM cadence for an hour with clipless pedals can also maintain a 100 RPM cadence with BMX pedals.

The best part about BMX pedals? They work just as well with some $20 sandals as they do with any rubber soled shoes you own. Heck, they even work with "flip flops" for a ride to the beach.
alanbikehouston is offline  
Reply
Old 07-17-08 | 09:51 PM
  #15  
Slackerprince's Avatar
Redefining Lazy
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 0
From: North Metro, MN

Bikes: 2013 Cannondale Synapse 5 105, 2013 Giant Escape 3

Look KEO are pretty forgiving.


S.
Slackerprince is offline  
Reply
Old 07-17-08 | 10:11 PM
  #16  
Wordbiker's Avatar
Pwnerer
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,909
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by alanbikehouston
Clipless is pointless...<snip>
Hooey.
__________________
Originally Posted by ahsposo
Ski, bike and wish I was gay.
Wordbiker is offline  
Reply
Old 07-17-08 | 10:33 PM
  #17  
SweetLou's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by alanbikehouston
Clipless is pointless...unless you are a pro who gets fittings from the very best people in the field. Locking yourself to a pedal is an excellent way to create business for knee surgeons but not a good way to ride a bike.
That makes no sense at all. Why would pros use clipless then? If they can just as easily do the same work in platforms? What would be the benefit of the ugly shoes and expensive pedals?

As for bad for the knees, maybe, but not in my case. It is great for the knees. I have arthritis in my left knee, when I ride my clipless, I can easily pedal in circles, putting far less pressure on my knees. If I ride one of my bikes with platforms, I can only go a couple of miles and my knee will be hurting, especially the next day.

Since I now ride every day in clipless, my arthritic knee has not been bothering me. My cadence is about 110 to 120. I use a low gear and pedal fast. I can't do this on platform and must mash. I can't do this with clips, because I don't like to strap in and out. So, my foot wants to slip out when pulling back. I am testing Powergrips, but I seem to have the same problem of the foot wanting to slip out when pulling back.

To each their own, but for me, the only way to ride is clipless.
SweetLou is offline  
Reply
Old 07-17-08 | 11:16 PM
  #18  
Commie
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas

Bikes: Trek 7.3 FX, old Haro(92)

i think they are neat, i tried them on a rental for one day and didnt enjoy it much. I would forget i was clipped in and almost fall at lights. LOL Im sure it becomes second nature once you ride a few weeks on them. For now i will stick with my BMX platforms, they grip my shoe well, for the riding i do i dont need to be stuck to the bike.
TalkingHead is offline  
Reply
Old 07-17-08 | 11:48 PM
  #19  
BarracksSi's Avatar
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,863
Likes: 6
From: Washington, DC

Bikes: Some bikes. Hell, they're all the same, ain't they?

I've found it easier to use clipless than toeclips. I never realized how much of a pain it is to flip a toeclip pedal *just enough* so I can stick my foot in there and not on top of the clip itself.

If you forget to unclip, you can't blame the pedals, just yourself; it's not the pedals' fault that you forgot. Make it a habit, and you'll be fine.
BarracksSi is offline  
Reply
Old 07-17-08 | 11:57 PM
  #20  
SpaceNerd's Avatar
Just a girl on a bike...
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix/Michigan
Clipless are less effort for me than toe clips. The real reason I use them is because the stiffness in my cheap shimano shoes is enough to stop my toes from falling asleep nearly as quickly. To me that makes them worth their weight in gold. Thats why I use them though. If you aren't finding any particular benifits then get rid of them. They'll probably loosen up the more you ride but they'll probably also sell on craigslist. Your choice.
SpaceNerd is offline  
Reply
Old 07-18-08 | 02:07 AM
  #21  
Cyclaholic's Avatar
CRIKEY!!!!!!!
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,276
Likes: 702
From: all the way down under

Bikes: several

Originally Posted by alanbikehouston
Clipless is pointless...unless you are a pro who gets fittings from the very best people in the field. Locking yourself to a pedal is an excellent way to create business for knee surgeons but not a good way to ride a bike.

For fitness and recreational cyclists, a good BMX pedal (one that fully supports the entire forward portion of the foot) is a better way to go. It enables you to select the best foot position for your needs at a given moment, but easily change your foot to another position. A GOOD BMX pedal "locks" to a rubber soled shoe or sandal and your foot can NOT come off the pedal by accident.

Rivendell sells both an expensive and an inexpensive BMX pedal made by MKS. Both are fine pedals, but the expensive one is built to last a lifetime.

There are folks who do not know how a bike works, and they delude themselves into thinking that they are "lifting" the pedals with their feet. Every scientific study done on pedals proves the opposite...as the pedal rises, it is lifting your foot and leg.

The speed of the bike depends on the speed of your cadence. A person who can maintain a 100 RPM cadence for an hour with clipless pedals can also maintain a 100 RPM cadence with BMX pedals.

The best part about BMX pedals? They work just as well with some $20 sandals as they do with any rubber soled shoes you own. Heck, they even work with "flip flops" for a ride to the beach.

what a crock
__________________
"Surely one can love his own country without becoming hopelessly lost in an all-consuming flame of narrow-minded nationalism" - Fred Birchmore
Cyclaholic is offline  
Reply
Old 07-18-08 | 03:33 AM
  #22  
Sirrus Rider's Avatar
Velocommuter Commando
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 38
From: Houston, Texas

Bikes: '88 Specialized Sirrus, '89 Alpine Monitor Pass, two '70 Raligh Twenties, '07 Schwinn Town & Country Trike, '07 Specialized Sirrus Hybrid

Originally Posted by goldfishin
i'm starting to find it annoying. today i fell over and jammed my middle finger. why? because my left shoes was clipped in even though i didn't know it.

clipping in at light also sucks.
Clipless has it place. Racing, long distance commuting, touring anytime where you need optimum power transfer. Any other time you'll be better served with a a pair of sneakers and bear traps especially if you know you're going to be dismounting and walking around frequently. Or where you know you need to reach for the ground quickly.
Sirrus Rider is offline  
Reply
Old 07-18-08 | 05:57 AM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 822
Likes: 0
From: Merrick, NY

Bikes: 2009 Mercier Galaxy (custom build), 2008 Argon 18 Mercury

Originally Posted by Sirrus Rider
Clipless has it place. Racing, long distance commuting, touring anytime where you need optimum power transfer. Any other time you'll be better served with a a pair of sneakers and bear traps especially if you know you're going to be dismounting and walking around frequently. Or where you know you need to reach for the ground quickly.
Thats why I'm buying a set for my road bike, that I prettymuch only use for training and triathlons, however my Mountain Bike I will stick with the old set of BMX pedals that are on there, I don't want to worry about unclipping in the middle of the woods while I'm headed for a tree....
Rogue Leader is offline  
Reply
Old 07-18-08 | 06:42 AM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,277
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by Cyclaholic
what a crock
+1

That post does not even deserve a reply. I call BS.
DataJunkie is offline  
Reply
Old 07-18-08 | 06:47 AM
  #25  
cyclezealot's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 13,237
Likes: 75
From: Fallbrook,Calif./Palau del Vidre, France

Bikes: Klein QP, Fuji touring, Surly Cross Check, BCH City bike

Not that one need be forced to use what they don't like . But, I can't believe they have been given enough time to work all the bugs out. I love them. Just pushing down , rather than the option of spinning. It makes my feet ache to think all the pressure is spent solely pushing down. Plus, I'd never, ever stand on pedals without the security of clipless. Never. Its like you are far more vunerable. And I hate having your shins knocked all the time by pedals. / Can't say , I have expereinced your complaint once you give them time and get truly acquainted with them.
__________________
Pray for the Dead and Fight like Hell for the Living










^ Since January 1, 2012
cyclezealot is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.