My example: 2 month ago, I thought cleats were rubbish and just a way to hurt yourself in a crash. Now, I want to replace my clips to get cleats. Are they still dangerous in a crash... Are they still inconvenient to walk in... yes. Aren't we all just drones to the latest and best? Your opinion?

You might be, but not when it comes to cleats. They are technology that works. You will notice a difference.

If the life experience is improved - why not IMO, the clipless system is one of the better cycling equipments in the last 20 years.

Not me. I tend to buy 2 and 3 year old technology. I am a cheapskate. Several reasons for it

1 - 1st and sometime 2nd year productions are out there to work the bugs out. When I am doing 45km/hr on a dh course I don't want to find any bugs.
2 - I am inherently cheap. I can own and ride 3 bikes because of that reason. If I kept up to date on parts for my dh rig I would never be able to afford to eat let alone ride 3 different disciplines of dirt.
3 - I don't buy into hype. Most things that are latest and greatest aren't. They are lateral moves. Slighly improving one thing but sacrificing somewhere else. Mabe save a gram but become 1% weaker. I like my things to be proven.
4 - I buy things I need. If I don't need it. I don't buy it. Excluding one part. I bought a special stem for my dh bike because it is sexy.

The doctor that treated my recent injuries swears my clipless pedals saved me from an ankle injury. My feet stayed on the pedals as the bike and I went down, keeping me from putting a foot on the ground and spraining or breraking an ankle.

I just use old-fashoined SPD. I'm a fan of practical, and being able to use shoes that are closer to regular shoes is a huge plus to me.

Plus SPD has been around long enough that you can be sure it's pretty reliable, just get a good pedal and you're all set.

First pair of Look pedals: 1991 (OEM on a Trek 2300). Currently use Campy ProFit (2 pr) & Speedplay Frogs (8 pr).

My Opinion: We are consumers in a consumer-driven industry that creates products designed to meet our needs and expectations. As consumers we fall into different demograhics:

Note: The following descriptions are provided primarily for entertainment and amusement, noting that it's a touch of reality that makes satire work.

a. If you have needs that legacy products don't meet, a new product is developed that responds to your suggestions, and you have the means to acquire it, you are not a drone.

b. If legacy products meet your needs, an improved product comes along that you believe will be of benefit, and you have the means to acquire it, you are not a drone.

c. If legacy products meet your needs but you enjoy staying up on the latest and greatest technology for the sake of your interest in new technology and also have the means to acquire it, you're probably a "bike geek" which could be confused with a drone.

d. If you have no idea what your needs are but have to have the latest and greatest technology and also have the means to acquire it, you're what some might call a "poser" which could also be confused with a drone.

e. If you have no idea what your needs are but go into hock to snag the latest and greatest technology, then you're a drone.

f. If legacy products meet your needs and it bothers you that people acquire new technology for any of the aforementioned reasons, then you're probably a "retro-grouch" or "curmudgeon".


Food for Thought: The example of clipless pedals being "the latest technology" probably isn't the best example, as the first primative clipless pedal was patented in 1895. The toe strap came along in 1900 and the self-tensioning strap / buckle that many of us grew up using wasn't invented until 1947. As for the contemporary clipless pedal technology, you may recall that Look introduced it's clipless pedals to the consumer market in 1986, after Hinault & then Lemond won the TdF on prototypes in '85 and '86. Shimano's recessed SPD cleat was introduced in 1990.

As for being "dangerous in a crash"; I'm at a loss here. Clipless are absolutely no worse and arguably far better at self-releasing than clips and straps (been there done that with both more times that I care to recall).

Inconvenient to walk in? Only if you select the wrong shoe / pedal system for the type of riding that you pursue. If you do a lot of walking and aren't racing, lug-soled "mountain bike" shoes with recessed cleats are the way to go.

livngood, thanks for your opinion. Really interesting and in many ways correct.

What an interesting word to be called.

Dictionary definition: (complements dictionary.com)
curmudgeon (n) : a crusty irascible cantankerous old person full of stubborn ideas.

I think cleats are overall safer than clips for reasons already mentioned, and also because you don't have to take your hand off the bars to fasten and unfasten them. With cleats, you can also get a foot free almost instantly when needed. I think they will add to your enjoyment of riding, too.

If you buy something that works demonstrably better, you are a smart consumer, not a drone.

Tom

Yes we can be said to be drones of new technology... that is true...

Many of us want to have the latest to say that I have it.

Some of us buy out of necessity

For example I need a longer seat post. I am going to buy a new one why not set the XXX lite one... why not...

If I did not need the post that would be a different story...

Clipless are great. I just got a set of Look PP357 and shoes for Christmas. Sure I went down embarassingly a few times when my foot didn't clip out at an intersection, but it really felt much better overall. Go with the clipless pedals, I believe that they are far superior.

Speaking as a curmudgeon (my kids, grandson, and several readers here at BikeForums will back me up on this), let me point out that you skipped-over the first definition that comes up on dictionary.com...

curˇmudgˇeon (n) : An ill-tempered person full of resentment and stubborn notions.
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Source: The American HeritageŽ Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

Can you say "Tongue-in-cheek"? Perhaps you're not familiar with CNNSI/NPR's Sportscaster / Sportswriter/ Author Frank DeFord and his mythical friend, "The Sports Curmudgeon"? Here's an interesting sampling from March '03 when things between the US and France weren't all that rosey. BikeForums connection is the mention of Lance.

https://premium.si.cnn.com/inside_gam.../19/viewpoint/