Clipless changed my life
 

Some time ago, I posted a thread on cycling shoes, lamenting the lack of totally waterproof shoes out there. Several good suggestions were offered, and I'm going to get a pair of winter boots made by 45North (the Wolvhammer, with the extra knee-high gaiters).

For now, I'm enjoying my Shimano mountain biking sandals, and wondering why I didn't do this years ago. I used to have the attitude that I'm not a professional athlete, and I don't need to shave two minutes off my commute to work. But now that I've had clipless pedals for just over a month, there's no going back. I'm even starting to get into cycling as a sport, instead of just a way to get around.

These sandals are perfect for summer, and those Wolvhammer boots will do nicely in winter. I may buy the Fasterkatt, but I dunno. That's two $400 pairs of boots. Maybe I'll settle for cheap shoes and a cleat-compatible cover for the fall.

The bike shop guy was right though. Clipless pedals did change my life.

I know what you mean. I don't ride either fast nor far, but on platforms I just feel plain insecure. When I am on platforms for some reason, I find myself more or less constantly trying to lift the trailing pedal. It never works. By the way, you're putting a lot more money behind your opinion than I ever will.

Years ago, I got some goretex socks. They really keep out the wind and rain. That is all I used for fall/winter riding in Michigan.

Well, we're all different. I've been riding since college in the '70s, back when only really serious cyclists even used toe clips (they were "too dangerous" because you were "attached to the bike"). I've been through three or four types of clipless pedal systems, and about three years ago gave them all away and went back to clips. I've done the same 25-mile round trip commute for more than 30 years, on everything from racers to recumbents, and I wasn't any faster with any of the clipless setups than I am with clips. And if I just want to ride down to the store, I can do it on any bike in any old shoes I have on.

There are lots of good waterproof socks out there, but I've always had the opinion that the boot should be doing that job.

Actually now that I've thought about it, a less heavy boot will do just fine. Southern Ontario hasn't seen a winter like this last one in twenty-five years. So I can't plan according to that.

I have had my clipless pedals for a week, and your right: they changed my life! If I would have had a road bike and clipless pedals when I was a kid, I probably would have never have stopped riding.. I'm faster, stronger, more stable and much, much happier. I'll stop now before I get all weepy and emotional..