going back to straps
 

So, after about 6 months of riding clipless via eggbeaters and shimano spin shoes, i'm thinking about going back to straps. I'm getting tired of having ugly shoes on all the time, and walking around campus really gets old in shoes with cleats.
my question is this: has anybody switched back from clipless to clips, and was the transition difficult?
i'm wondering if i've fabricated how easy stopping is while clipped in, or if there really is a difference.

i did. it was fine. i love straps

you might want to get double straps if you're concerned

I switch back and forth between clipless and double straps all the time. I like both, clipless for long rides and going fast, double straps for going to school and fooling around. The transition is hard only the first few times. Now it's nothing. Clipless is better without a double than double straps to me though as a pedal system (depending on the clipless system too, but I <3 ATAC). I'd suggest doing what I do, save clipless for serious rides, alleycats, whatever, use straps for going to school, the bar, parties, grocery store runs and all that stuff.

It shouldn't take longer than 3 minutes to swap out one pair of pedals for the other.

yea. i just switched. i had to install a new chainring anyway, so i did the pedals while i was at it.
switching back and forth makes alot of sense, especially for alleycats and so forth. its going to be nice to be able to break out the shoe collection again. i ride instead of drive, and i realized i haven't touched my regular sneaks in a month.
thanks guys.

never rode clipless... love my clips and straps. I haven't looked too hard, but if they make a clipless boot that is warm down to -10F like my hiking boots, I may consider switching over to the dark side.

It's not a difficult transition. I go between Eggbeaters and 2x straps all the time, depending on where I'm going.

911

Power grips?

I still haven't tried them. But they look like a good alternative to straps.

I'm quite fond of Power Grips, and have used them for about 15 years. They are tighter than straps, easier to get in and out of than straps, and you can wear everyday shoes with them.

+1

eggbeaters for long rides, races, crappy weather, or a lot of stop and go when I'm gonna be on my bike all day

doubles for dry days, f'n about at your local park, when I'm gonna be off my bike just as long as I'm on my bike for day. But they can handle the eggbeaters duties too. Just takes a little getting used to.

its funny you should mention it... i just (yesterday) switched from powergrips back to clips b/c i felt that they weren't holding my feet down securely enough. im not sure if i was doing something wrong with the powegrips, but every time i pulled up on one, there was a lot of play between my pedal and shoe. i even spent time adjusting the size... but i still never felt like i was being held down securely. when i got my clips back on, i breathed a sigh of relief b/c i felt more secure. i can finally pull up without any play.

i think im the only person in the history of powergrips to dislike them. you're right though, they are really easy to get into and out of.

I used ATACs for several years and just switched to clip/strap for general riding around (which is pretty much everything here). It's really easy since there's no hills to deal with. I'm really enjoying not having to carry a second pair of shoes.

A lot of the reason for the switch was the sidi's I got. I really hated walking around in them.

Just remember to be careful when swaping pedals. Always clean both sets of threads and re-grease. I've stripped threads before while trying to do a quik swap.

you guys raise/lower the saddle accordingly right? I find that I need to raise the seat a little if I do switch to clipless.

not when you ride in these

http://www.therallyshack.co.uk/image...ck%20suede.jpg

I find myself moving my feet laterally within the straps so that they feel tight on the outside of my foot. This makes me feel more secure within the PowerGrips. I have them fairly loose, as I switch between hiking boots on my commute in cold weather.

I use clipless more in the winter with lined neoprene shoe covers and wool socks. Works just fine down to 10 deg. I usually switch back to clips when it warms up so I can wear a variety of shoes. I always found it uncomfortable to wear boots on a bike.

I did it,...I hate(d) clips and straps, UNTIL I got some clipless pedals, and now had to either walk around in clacky ugly shoes, or carry a change of footwear everywhere I go.

so I recently got some hellyer's and clips and GOOD leather straps, and after about 7 minutes back in them , I have found new love for riding with clips & straps.

I actually think it's easier to skip & skid with clips, over clipless (I would get accidental ejects sometimes if I inadvertantly put side pressure on the pedal)

it's just that with some shoes, it's freakin HARD to flip and get in.

so I now the use best FG/SS shoe ever created: the suede converse all star :D

i've gone back to clips 'n straps once since i started riding clipless and i haaaaated it.

i keep wanting to try it again and even bought a new set of straps, but i just haven't brought myself around to doing it. i just really love riding clipless.

clips and straps haaaates you too!:D

welcome back.
let's ride soon.

Same. I finally gave up on my clips and straps and put them on my wife's bike. Turns out she hates them too so maybe I'll give them to the dachshund or something.

Or you could mail them to me. . .:D

Just sayin. . .

That's my answer.

That wouldn't be fair at all. You have pedals and Fritz doesn't.