anyone else hate clipless?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 521
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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.
clipping in at light also sucks.
#3
Senior Member



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.
#5
Administrator

Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Delaware shore
Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX
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.
#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.
<-- 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.
#7
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.
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.
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#8
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)
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.
#9
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,811
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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.
#13
rebmeM roineS

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
https://bmxbc.homestead.com/694.jpg
#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.
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.
#17
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.
#18
Commie
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 278
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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.
#19
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.

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.
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.
#20
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.
#21
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.
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
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#22
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
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.
#23
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 822
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From: Merrick, NY
Bikes: 2009 Mercier Galaxy (custom build), 2008 Argon 18 Mercury
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.
#25
Senior Member

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.
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