I ride platforms, but its just a comfort thing for me. I can't get into the whole being semi stuck in any situation. Even the split second I would have saved may always be enough.

Straightout though, this stuff improves your riding so much, its unreal. I easily picked up an extra 7KMPH and uphill was a breeze. I think its just a matter of paranoia and lack of trust of my self that I don't ride with them. That, and I don't like spending money, or having two pairs of shoes on me (clipless)

That about sums it up.

is there any trick to getting used to pedals with clips? I find that I also have a hard time getting into the clips with both feet after I start riding. I've never used clips before in life until last sunday, and the clips just always want to flip towards the road side of the pedal. Maybe just need more practice.

I learned to get into clips and straps on a freewheeler, then went fixed and had to re-learn how to get into them while pedalling. I'm basically a walking ****ing catastrophe 90% of the time and even I can do it. Just go to the park or something and practice getting in and out of them quickly, that's what I did. I also learned how to trackstand that way.

Now I can trackstand through most lights and for those I times when I can't, well, I have no problems getting out of my clips quickly or getting back into them when I take off.

Oh, right, but I had to practice and literally dozens of people might have seen me not being completely proficient at something while I learned. **** that noise.

i was practicing both getting in/out of my clips and trackstanding today in an empty parking lot, when a cop car came speeding towards me chasing some kid on a BMX. I'm sure it takes practice like everything else, but it can be helpful hearing other peoples tips/methods/expirences.

i think it would be hilarious watching this dude bike.

hmmm...

Especially, assuming he rides fixed, when he loses control of his pedals on a steep down-hill and his precious platforms turn his legs into two giant blood sausages.

The only time I judge a fellow cyclist is when he is riding platforms. So much less control over a bike. Have fun have half the slowing/handling at low speeds power as the rest of us.

I'm absolutely not going to contest the fact that looking exclusively at pedalling efficiency and power transfer clipless is the best system, but to insinuate that you have to ride clipless to be a serious cyclist is just being stupid

Alot of people spend more time in the saddle than you do and run clips and straps just fine

I just wanted to get a good clipless system, but figured having a set of clips and straps would come in handy anyway. Solution? Buy decent clips and straps first, save money until I can afford a good set of pedals and shoes, use $10 pedal wrench and spend less than 10 minutes changing pedals whenever I feel like riding in one vs. the other.

pedals are unsafe, i'm taking them off completely.

I like clips. They were a little tricky the first 2 rides, but even fixed, it doesn't take much to get in them. If you don't like them just take them off. But platform pedals on a road bike looks so wrong.

Kinda like this photo...
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1374/...ad40fb0347.jpg
It just seems wrong!

sounds like the OP is just an uncoordinated lummox

uh... those look like clipless pedals to me.

Old thread. Hope the OP learned to ride this year.

i have a nice set of welgo platforms, that will accept my toe clips. Is there anything unsafe about using the platforms with the clips? the straps work fine as well, and I like the flat, wide base of the pedals.

S P D Pedals

practice. it's not that hard.... i've never had an issue with getting out of my pedals in a hurry. i'm not exceptionally gifted in the coordination department either. whatever.

my girl got her iro heidi the other day. meant to get single speed, but they sent it to her fixed by mistake. she's having a blast on it.... but is too scared to put both feet in the clips. i've tried explaining to her why it's something she should learn (aids in stopping [she has a brake also.... but still], better for climbing, etc.). but she persists in putting one foot in the clip when she starts off, and riding one foot in one foot out. blah.....

i need to start beating her in public more.

i think we should all remove our pedals until the OP gets used to getting in and out of his... -_-

no seriously, its not that difficult to get in and out of your toe clips. and also
@OP: you shouldnt be trying to fiddle with your pedals looking downward in traffic anyway. make sure you are secured before you ride out between cars

They've made these things called brakes now that help your fixie stop even if your legs aren't on the pedals. Pretty awesome actually.

I'm trying to ride a fixie, not win the science fair, poindexter. Brakes are for losers. End of story.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.p...81&postcount=1

Did you notice the date of his post? The OP probably figured it out by now... :thumb:

they take getting used to, but actually, they're much safer to ride a fixed gear with. on platform pedals, there is so much risk of your foot slipping off when you are going downhill, in the rain, etc.

so are you at least riding with toe cages and straps?

because if your not I will make my way across town and beat some sense in to you;)

there seems to be a huge influx of fools riding in Albuqueruqe these days brakeless and without toe clips and straps/clips at all

WTF???

toeclips are the **** if you are just chillin i use them as cyclin shoes b ugly as ****

LoL!

SPd all the way. Was using platforms the other day and spun out, lost my feet and went flailing down the road like a dirty EMO. When you're locked in you don't have to wory about it just point the toes and let it ride.

Exactly.

I've been riding clipless for twenty years. I rode clips for years before that. I can remember watching Hinault's win in probably '82, in clips and straps and thinking, "That's the way to go."

-In other words, I believe in foot retention.

But when I want to cruise down for a couple of bottles of soda and some toilet paper (-yeah, someday we all have to buy our own, mom or the university doesn't get it forever) I can't be bothered to put on my SPD shoes, oh and socks, I've gotta' go find some socks too. Honey!! Do I have any clean socks?!?!

Fu@k that.

In the warm weather I do not wear shoes at home. When I must, I wear flip flops. Platforms work just fine for real life.

Does that make me, "not a serious rider"?

Give the guy a break. Maybe he's too lazy to learn to ride clips, maybe it's not that important to him. Maybe he's just a little frustrated and he's venting. He'll either get it or he won't.

Just ride the bike. :twitchy:

-:p But hey, that's just me.

I have more than 1 type of pedal for my bikes.

MTB - 1. Platform for riding the jump park. 2. SPDs
Roadbike - 1. SPD 2. GR-9 w. Powergrips
Lake bike - platforms and my choice of flipflops

I find I change the roadie more depending on where I am going and what I am doing.