Racing with platform pedals
 

Can I race cyclocross or road races without using clipless pedals any cycling specific shoes?

A. Clipless pedals, cleats, and cycling specific shoes are expensive.
B. I am not trying to be the best cyclist in the world. I only want to compete in entry-level cyclocross and road races for the purpose of fitness and fun.
C. I have had some scares with clips and straps. I am am afraid I will have the same experiences with a clipless system, even easy to use ones like Speedplay frogs & Shimano Click'R.

I realize that I will lose efficiency in my pedal stroke by not using a clipless system, but I will train harder to compensate for that.

Can I compete in cyclocross racing or road racing without clipless pedals and cycling specific shoes?

Why not? Some will sneer but who cares? I have (nice) platform pedals on my Specialized Allez and don't give a darn what anyone thinks about it.

Thanks for the response Squeeze!

I just don't want to show up to any race to be told that I can't compete because I don't use a clipless pedal system or something like that.

I dont believe there is any rule
that says you must have clipless pedals or toe clips
except maybe in track racing

the one flaw in your logic
though
is that toe clips and straps are generally more difficult to escape from
than clipless
clipless release is consistent and reliable

They raced CX for about a century before the invention of clipless pedals, so I don't see why you couldn't now.

[MENTION=333310]Wilfred Laurier[/MENTION]
I won't be using toe clips or straps.
I will be using half clips if I use anything, but I most probably will not use any type of clip or strap.
If it is too great of a disadvantage to no use clipless than I will use Speedplay Frogs or Shimano Click'R.

Don't over think this. You're not a pro, and are doing this for fun. Try it one way, then if it doesn't work well for you try it another.

I got that
but saying you think clipless are unsafe
because toe clips are unsafe
is like saying
you think cigarette lighters are unsafe
because flamethrowers are unsafe

There's no rule, as far as I am aware (and I've done some officiating) about the sort of pedals you have to use in road racing. However, I'd really advise against it. Having your feet securely attached to the pedals is close to fundamental when you're trying to maximise the power you put out, and I really don't think you'd be entirely safe trying to sprint out of the saddle on platforms in anything other than absolutely perfect conditions.

And it isn't just your safety I'm talking about. If you come off a pedal under hard acceleration you're likely to come down and bring others down with you. Don't do it.

EDIT. In this country, the Chief Commissaire has discretion to prevent anyone racing if he/she considers their equipment unsafe. I'd think seriously about that were I the official. If you've never raced, you may underestimate how intense it is. There is contact between riders, the surges are sudden and fierce, it's pretty full-on. I would not feel safe on platforms myself, so I certainly wouldn't advise a beginner to do it.

Racing 'cross is one of the best ways to develop bike handling skills, being able to do clean mounts/dis-mounts and put out the effort doesn't require much in way of dedicated equipment.

Join a local cycling club, get a coach and have at it. A club tends to move "obsolescent" perfectly serviceable equipment thorough the membership as those obsessed by "the latest thing" buy into it and sell off the "pervious thing". A good way to kit yourself out at a discount.

Yes, clipless pedals and shoes do make a difference in road racing performance, safety and control. Essential I'd say.
In Cat5 upgrade gear as you can and don't be intimidated by the guy on the shiny Team Tinkoff Replica, it's not about the hardware and never has been.

-Bandera

I know one guy that races cyclecross around here that does it in shorts, tank top and hiking boots on platforms.

IDK what others think but he's pretty badass if you ask me.

If you're scared of clip-less pedals, how are you going to feel bumping elbows and fighting for space with other racers at 30 miles per hour? I don't think that you want to get your feet knocked off the pedals at that speed.

My fear has always been being able to get my foot down fast if I need to.

However, if going 30 putting a foot down isn't the best idea...lol.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/USACWeb/for...C-Rulebook.pdf

I could not find any prohibition on platform pedals.

No, there isn't one. But that doesn't mean it's a good idea in a road race. Do you fancy it yourself?

Other than when stopping I can't think of many times I want my foot off the pedal.

So CX is different than Road racing .. .. Before SPuDs the front of the CX race field learned to flip over both toe clip pedals at once
the 1st pedal stroke after jumping back on.

i was just going to say this

a few comments above about the dynamics of riding in a pack during a road race
are all correct
but the same does not apply to cx

cx is an individual sport
and while there is some group riding
the odds are pretty slim that
the op will enter his first cx race and
find himself jostling for the lead
clips or no

good point

and while a novice may need to stop occaisionally to dismount
in a cx race
there is no reason to stop or dismount during a road race
unless the race gets caught at a train crossing
due to poor planning
which rarely happens

Yes, I agree. I'm not a 'cross racer myself, but on the basis of watching a lot of it I'd say platforms are plausible in that environment, but not in road.

After starting your first road race, using platform pedals you may have a personal story to add to this thread
:| http://www.bikeforums.net/general-cy...so-snobby.html

Oh, good lord no. The harder the effort or the sketchier the surface, the more I want a solid connection to the pedals. I do have to admit that, at least once a CX season I'll crash into a barrier because I can't get my foot out on a dismount, but that's usually from fatigue and/or lack of skills.

[edit]

There's no more requirement for toe clips or clipless pedals in road racing than there is for multiple gears.

OP:

I started with clips and straps myself (because I am old and was too poor to afford those fancy Looks when they came out). If you have any experience with clips and straps, then clipless will be so much easier. Rather than having to reach down, loosen the strap by hand, and wiggle your foot out, all you have to do with clipless is kick your heel out. Easy peasy. And within a few rides you won't even have to think about it.

fify

How often are you going to be stopping, and have to unclip, in a closed course road race?