No, most data quoted here isn't backed up by experience or action. If he really has commuted that route 3000 times as indicated that's a big enough sample for him to have an opinion, IMHO.

That said, he should describe the route

Why start your car and drive it when you can just push it?

I don't see where Velodog mentioned he has data. He didn't even say he measured speed. His statements could be based opn totally subjective feelings.

Exactly. When I ride my mtn bike on the "mup" with the kids, I wear sneakers and am pretty sure I would not benefit from clipless

Granted, but I'd take 3000 subjective feelings over 30 data points

Oh, and don't get me wrong, I'm totally sold on clipless and would never ride without...I'm not arguing against.

I dont worry about getting unclipped because twisting my heel out is just part of takiing my foot off the pedal. Just as lifting my foot up and back was how I took my foot off the pedal when I rode with toe-clips.

Agreed. Unless you are racing uphill and out of the saddle, there is no reason why you can't pedal 360. I use small hills or low grades as training ops, and pedal only by "trying to pull my feet out of my shoes" rather than pushing down. Works well to build muscles that don't often get a real good, hard workout.

I use toe-clips without straps ... seems to work well for me. Then again, I'm riding a very cheap setup and don't want to spend more on shoes/pedals than the bike is worth

Same here. I tried clips without the straps and found I don't need any.

It's the law. Break it and you become a con.

There wasn't any data there.

All of that doesn't really mean anything except that either a) you aren't in a situation where they would be beneficial, b) you don't know how to make use of them effectively, or c) you aren't strong enough to make use of them effectively.

Pretty much sums it up. Not everyone will benefit from clipless. But for those of use that ride competitively to one degree or another, or appreciate their efficiency, they are invaluable.

Same here. I fell over a few times when I tightened my toe straps for a sprint or hill and then forgot to loosen then up at the next stop light. Eventually I learned to check as I was rolling to a stop. My toes would go numb if I had the straps tight enough to keep my feet from pulling out.

When clipless pedals came out in the mid 80s, I was all over them. They are much better than clips and straps, in every way.

"Most people" fall over when they "go clipless" because they are new riders and aren't very coordinated on a bike yet. It's not the pedals fault.

I go clipless even in a spinning class. How the hipsters ride around in paper thin soled sneakers is beyond me.

1. This
2. This
3. And this.

Also, note that all the advantages of a clipless pedal apply WHILE RIDING THE BIKE. The comment about losing power and time was especially poorly thought in this regard, as it's not like clipless pedals cause moving cyclists to fall all over the place. Of all the types of pedals to choose from, clipless are indeed the greatest pain in the ass while stationary or near-stationary, but if components were chosen based on that criterium alone we'd all be riding platforms. When you're actually riding the bike, clipless pedals outperform everything else by a significant margin.

To #1, this is at best 1-2% of your total power transfer(on the return upwards stroke, in fact most elite athletes don't "pull" up as was shown recently) The real power gains come from riders being able to keep a high cadence even with a horrible pedal stoke technique - which would severely cripple them if they had to use platforms.

To #2 this isn't true, in fact if you repeat the same motion over and over in exactly the same location you will wear a rut out in the cartilage, this spells trouble for doing other things besides cycling. Runners often get the same trouble, it is called runner's knee.

To #3 More confidence because you fit in, one of the best downhill riders in the world doesn't need clipless shoes, and if he can somehow stay connected to the pedals rocketing down grades that steep and over boulders i'm sure you can too. So #3 is the big one, if you want to be a cyclist shave your legs and use clipless... otherwise the fancy boys will call you fred.

From a 17yr old bmx rider, because people will want some numbers...

Excellent point. It's about riding the bike and that is when the advantages of clipless pedals can be seen. One is more efficient using them, more power with less effort, better efficiency. AND it's really easier to unclip than than to deal with the straps.
That being said, use what you feel comfortable with.

One of the best downhill riders in the world??? In case you didn't notice, the posted forum is Road Cycling. Go take your logic to somewhere it fits.

Haha, you a a real joker Stan - why don't you take your logic somewhere

If most kids fall when they first learn to ride a 2-wheeler, than why does anyone ride a bike?

I would not. For one thing, it has everything to do with a person's style of pedaling. If the 3000 subjective comparisons were all done seated and only pushing down on the pedals, then of course there won't be much difference between clipless and platforms. He probably wasn't trying to compare clipless with platform; if the conclusion drawn is more of an afterthought, the subjective data is really meaningless. Whereas the data points of someone who is making a true, purposeful comparison, seated, climbing, using circular pedal strokes under more controlled circumstances would be far more meaningful.

I tried regular platforms on the trainer once. It was an absolute disaster. My feet kept coming off the pedals. I'll stick with clipless, and the associated power improvement.

Let's keep this civil please.

I'm in a good mood (at the moment)and would hope a word to the wise will suffice.