As people said before, clipping into clipless pedals is much easier than getting your feet into clips/straps. I had clipless on my FG for a while but switched them over to the road bike. Now I have some spd pedals but no shoes to go along with them. I'll probably buy some cheap MTB shoes in the near future so I can go back to clipless on the FG.

Just sayin'.

For you. ;0) I find it easier to get my feet into clips 'n straps. Now, your in the market for some MTB shoes? What size?

I ride with SPD's and Bontrager RXL's, although i never rode with straps. They're awesome. I haven't found stopping to be a problem. It was necessary for me because I would frequently go on 40-50 mile rides on my fixed.

i run spd's on my fixie and road bikes. probably not as efficient for longer, harder rides as road clipless setups but i like them more than cages/straps. they are decent for group rides and i can still walk a little bit. really just depends on what you use your bike for. i have cages/straps on my commuting/city bike because i like to be able to wear regular shoes when i work, run errands, go to bars/restaurants, etc. got cages/straps on my mountain bike, too.

Rode cages for like 4 years, and recently switched to SPD SL with Specialized Defroster shoes on my Langster (commuter). I also have a Samson that still has cages, but I haven't ridden it since getting the clippless set up.
Make the switch, you wont regret it.

this is what me make the switch back to pedals and straps I rode Eggbeaters all winter but with the advent of summer I wasn't enjoying changing my shoes and 3 times a day clipless are easier to get into and if I'm going on a long ride I switch my pedals but for commuting to work (10 miles a day) and local stuff I prefer my BMX flats and straps

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...age/pedals.jpg

you can use the other half of your leg muscles

+1 I ride a similar setup when I want to wear sneakers all day. Way better than clips n' straps. Clipless still wins though.

thanks for chiming in, everyone

@ilikebikes, yeah I'm not really trying to be the fastest MF on the streets or some spandex pro roadie (not that there's anything wrong with it. It's just not my aim). I've just been interested in clipless, since it's known to be more efficient, as carleton said, and whatever has the potential to make my rides better, deserves a little bit of attention, even if I decide to go another way in the end.

It is true, i ride 10 to 20 miles, which isn't exactly a ride a round the block, but it's not a super long ride. Also, a lot of stopping and going. So, maybe I should get my trackstands down pat first, and then go clipless once I'm able to ride without unclipping at all... or at least rarely.

Still mulling it over. Thanks again

I bought a pair of shoes and pedals a couple months back, was not able to ride them until recently.

I am glad I made the switch, feels really nice when riding.

I did almost eat **** a few times because I was not able to twist out of the pedal, but, once you have it down, it is easy as pie.

I use spd pedals. They came with my bike when I bought it, so I figured I'd give it a shot. One ride around the block and I was convinced! Unclipping is not a problem at all (I have lots of stop and go during my rides as well). It's way easier than messing with straps IMO. With spd pedals, there is the option of mtb shoes that you can walk around in.

Pedals: Crank Bros Candy or Smarty or Quattro for commuting.

Shoes:
Shimano SH-FN51 Indoor Cycling Shoe


if you can find that shoe or a similar design you will love it for commuting. AMAZING SHOES.

Here you go:

http://www.rivbike.com/article/clothing/the_shoes_ruse

spdsl act like platforms riding around the block, quick errands, with the lady, with summer camp kids, or what have you. spdsl can also allow maximum fixed zen, soul, and so on.

I use both clips/straps and clipless. If you have any sort of leg issues consider going SPD because of the adjustable tension. My right leg has been broken in 5 places to include an attractive bike vs car years back that crushed by tib and fib from my ankle up a number of inches. Since that time, I suffer from edema in the lower part of my leg and when it's kind of bad clipping in and out on that leg is more difficult. I need to ratchet the tension down on that side. The upside is I have scars almost the length of your forearm where it took 2 operations and an awful lot of titanium to allow me to walk again. Chicks dig scars. Especially when it looks like you stuffed your leg into a wood chipper. I loved eggbeaters but the non-adjustable tension made me throw them back. SPD's are double sided, have adjustable tension, reasonably priced and there are a number of good looking, casual shoe styles available that let you walk quite normally (that of course also work with ATAC's, Egggbeaters, etc.).

FWIW I learned to trackstand with clipless

I use Crank Brothers Candy pedals and Shimano FN-22 indoor shoes. I chose the candy over the eggbeater because you have a little bit of platform to use over very short rides when you do not want to wear your clipless shoes. I highly recommend the shoes as well, if you can find them. They are extremely well ventilated, so your feet don't sweat, and you can walk around in them without the cleats clicking. I actually find track standing easier with clipless, because you have a much better up-pull. I have had one fall doing this, on one of my first rides with clipless. When you are trackstanding, your cranks are horizontal, so when you turn your foot in to unclip, it just hits the crank arm. All it takes is a little adjustment to your trackstanding style, or just being good enough at them that you never fall. With clipless, I do not notice my top speaks being especially higher, but I can accelerate much more quickly, and climbing is much easier.

hmm. interesting article.

^^^
there are parts of that article I agree with and also parts that I don't. Anyway, everything is a bunch of theories people sum up while analyzing minute details of every single movements/feeling we have. And each person can feel differently. NateRod, if you want to give clipless a shot I'ld say go for it. Then you can know for yourself if it's right for you

I managed to miss the article the first time around. I definitely pull up when I ride and without a doubt think that pedaling clipless (or with straps) is more efficient than "pedaling free." But to each their own, I guess.

I only pull up when on flat terrain as I pedal from a stop, otherwise it doesnt really happen. When I spin fast at most I'll be pulling backwards, but not full 360. Bu yeah, it's all personal preference. I like the solid feel and toe clips were always uncomfortable. Oh well

There are several pedal strokes, believe it or not. Each pedal stroke work better at different cadences and/or situations. Such as:

- Mash, mash, mash (crowd favorite)
- Mash down + Pull up at the same time (for applying instant power)
- Pull, pull, pull (great for going up long steep hills)
- Full circles (great for high speeds on a big gear. Really effective.)
- Push-Pull shuffle (forward/back) (Similar to mash-down pull-up, but horizontal instead of vertical. Great for maintaining super-high cadences)
- Float (applying no pressure. Similar to coasting on a freewheel. Basically move the feet as fast as the cranks want to move to avoid putting positive or negative pressure)

To take advantage of these, you have to have a proper fitting bike and do LOTS of drills and/or riding in order to get your legs to fire efficiently. That's what makes people look smooth and polished.

Those look downright comfy (Old toe strap rider - have used cleats - no issues with being attached - but hated how not being able to flex my foot for long distances made my feet feel - never tried clipless)

Hey folks are running barefoot - hmmmm -

what a nut.