That’s a perfect summary.

We’ve gone down this rabbit hole of a discussion and analyzed almost every facet of the situation in question.

The best answer, for what Larry is doing, should be:

“Doesn’t really matter. Is this girl cute? Take her advice and try some clipless pedals. Might win you a few points. But if you like whatever janky pedals you have now (or maybe you’re not into girls?) then you should save your money. Maybe use it to buy a shirt.”

Ahhhhh I see it’s that guy! For some reason I was thinking of a different Larry, but still…..he doesn’t seem overly keen on going clipless and worth knowing that he doesn’t “need” to go clipless in order to smoke the poseurs, 😂

Wait... the OP is THAT guy?

Foot retention makes no difference, he is going to crush these people no matter what he rides.

Larry does the road races, remember the horn honking thread

Not being clipped in would help when he inevitably goes over the top......not a hill.....but the hood, when flying thru a left sweeper stop sign. It is going to happen.

It's not gonna work out with the girl, she has a boyfriend and he is really fast. TBH im kinda in a bind because the group im riding with thinks im way stronger than I actually am, they think hybrids are slow because nobody fast rides them. Once I actually get a road bike and still get dropped ill be exposed! Kapusta for what its worth I would crush most of the people on that ride that kicked me out, but both of the fast groups have been super accepting and full of people who crush me. I've even started wearing a helmet sometimes with them and they don't even mention it, I was worried people would say passive aggressive stuff like "good to see you in a helmet!"

Oh, he probably thinks he's sooo cool. I bet he has some really nice clipless pedals and he pulls up really hard. [Not a euphemism; still talking about biking.]

Chicks always go for the old guy on a real road bike, wearing bike-specific attire. Bummer, man.

Yeah he pulled up on me once after I passed him and a few others and had a chat, I said "some girls are into the whole daddy thing" and he was like "nah its not like that, she's a nice girl" then I was like "I wasn't insinuating anything man" IDK why I felt so cheeky lol, just blurted that out because I was so tired I guess.

As an old guy on a real road bike who wears bike-specific attire, this has not been my experience with chicks.

MAMILs = irresistible to nice young ladies, provided they have the right kind of pedals and can ride really fast ?

This is GOLD, Larry! Can't make this stuff up. I'm probably going to cancel my Netflix subscription and save 18 bucks per month, because your posts provide all the humor and entertainment I need. I want to go to California and just follow you around for a few days.

Again...This has not been my experience. It seems I'm very resistible. Maybe the issue is that I'm married.

Same here, but sometimes they buy me snacks.

Larry: Hey babe! I got me some foot retention. Thanks for the tip--now I can totally pull up.

Old boyfriend dude: What? You better not be trying to pull up on my girl!

Cutie with kind of a "daddy" thing: Sorry, Larry. He pulls up too, plus he gets fully dressed before a ride. And he doesn't have DIY copper pipe aero bars. Oh, watch out! Sharp curve... Larry, you have too much speed!... Crap, he crashed again. I should have recommended a helmet.

Yeah, that might have something to do with it.


Say no more! Nudge-nudge. Wink-wink. Buys you snacks, so that's what the kids are calling it these days?

Here's how I look at it, and no I'm not drunk (just yet). But imagine a scenario where you only pedaled with one leg and the other leg contributed nothing. Doesn't actively resist or participate. This means the active leg on the downstroke must not only overcome the inherant drivetrain resistance but also the resistance of the non-participating leg, having to help propel it up on its upstroke.

The real power is in the downstroke. I would agree with others here that trying to actively propel the bike through upward pressure could lead to injuries in the hip flexors and possibly other areas. However any assistance the leg on the upstroke side can give to the leg on the downstroke side should be positive. What I mean is that when a leg gets to the bottom and begins the upstroke just remembering to pull the leg up without exerting any upward pressure on the pedal (not trying to feel like you are pulling the cleat out of the pedal), but rather just trying to unload that side should allow the leg on the downstroke to feel less resistance.

I regularly practice this on my regular morning rides and find that when I focus on it that I feel I am spinning a bit easier in whatever combination I'm in and can sometimes move to a smaller cog. But the problem for me is remembering to do it. It requires a lot of concentration and since I usually find myself thinking about work and solving the worlds problems I frequently forget and find myself back to the same leg on the upstroke not contributing as much. As long as I'm not trying to exert force on the pedal on the upstroke I am fine. Its just hard to be consistent with it.

​​​​​​I bet those pedals were making up for insecurity about not having enough chain inches.

< Rim Shot! >

You think he dropes the hamer and dials it up to 400 watts on her?

I agree with this. I have done the occasional single leg cadence drill and nearly always end up with sore hip-flexors afterward. Unweighting your legs on the upstroke makes sense, but studies have shown that it is very difficult to fully achieve when pedalling at a high power output and cadence. But I think it does go some way toward defining what is a smooth pedal stroke. You don't need foot retention to do it either.

Oh, good heavens, I hope not. Because she sounds like a sweet young thing. Maybe he'll try to, and this will be Larry's chance to rush in and save her. Like a knight in shining armor no shirt, on his trusty steed hybrid bike with a severely bent rim.

Well what are you waiting for? Long and honored tradition here on BF. I figure the unofficial motto is "it's five o'clock somewhere!"

Wait!!!!....this is about the honorable pursuit of a girl? Now, I want to help.....

Every time I read the title of this thread, I think, "Yes, it's really important to retain your feet!"

I've heard that appeals to some women. Not necessarily one's own wife, though.

Yes! I'm going to send him some ankle socks, a mirror and a polka dot jersey (sleeveless) size XXL. Who else can help?