T13

Arguable.

inCOGneto

Yes indeed, however if you have ridden both you can't argue that clipless provides a much more secure "connected" feel with the bike. And they are easier to get out of. And with pedal stroke, I can't imagine getting perfect pedal stroke with straps, especially when you pull your feet back during the 5:00 - 7:00 o'clock position on the crank when your shoes are wanting to pull out of the straps. I know its probably a style thing with fixed gear but I like to be as connected to my bike, as my drivetrain is to my wheel.

seau grateau

I have a pair too, though I've never actually used them on the bike. Not that this line of discussion is at all relevant to the topic at hand, but neato.

T13

I guess it depends. Steet riding? Honestly, i have zero experience in track riding. I'm not interested in it at all, never done it. I've been riding fixed bikes since the late 90's though. I tried SPDs(after riding track pedals and clips/straps) and honestly, for riding all day, on the street, they were uncomfortable, to me. They felt like they were pushing into the balls of my feet through the shoes. After that, i switched to cheap BMX platforms, and toes clips/leather straps and never looked back. Also, riding on the street, i dont wanna be locked in, if i get t boned by a driver not giving me my left turn. Ive been hit, and rolled over the hood, Starskey and Hutch Style, and i cant imagine doing that, with a bike still attached to me. Might rip yer leg off.

GhostSS

I tried both, prefer clips and straps. After 2 days getting in and out of straps is no problem and I find it less fiddly and more convenient than a clipless system. In fact I find it weird when people mention that it's more difficult to use clips and straps, I think it's rather easy. Clipping into and out of clipless pedals felt more difficult.

"Perfect" pedal stroke is a myth in my opinion, why would you need that? I know plenty of people dedicate time to practicing a full 360 degree motion when pedaling, but I don't see the clear advantage in it for a non racer.

RaleighSport

I have to agree with this, and I've street ridden with SPD's and looks, I always come back to straps/cages.. and trust me I've had a few hairy situations with the SPD's that in the same scenario was no issue with straps/cages.

inCOGneto

Different strokes I guess. I have been using SPD's for so long for mountain biking I guess its just more natural to me.

RaleighSport

Where's Scrod anyhow? This thread doesn't have nearly enough biting snark and a distinct lack of animated gif's.

hairnet

This why I have two brakes and I use them. I like to climb a lot and I don't need long and/or fast descents to be more uncomfortable than they already are.

I have only decleated because I was pulling too hard on worn out cleats.

MattoftheRocks

Better in every way.

Double strap cleatless is .00082% better than single strap cleatless, and half of that benefit is looks.

I only use straps and traps in the winter because I haven't found a clipless boot that actually works for a snowy, slushy winter as well as or better than plain old tall rubber boots with wool socks.

thermalattorney

Muscle memory = unclipping becomes second-nature. Remember that people have been mountain biking clipped in for 20+ years. Also, what's to say that slipping off the pedal wouldn't hurt you more in a crash?

Side-note: I thrashed a pair of DZR Minnas in under a year, but I've now had the same pair of Dices for ~18mo and only had to replace the laces.

JohnDThompson 

That's what slotted cleats are for. I use both clipless and toeclips with slotted cleats and can't tell a difference as far as foot retention goes. Clipless can be easier to connect and disconnect; I'll give you that much...

TejanoTrackie 

So, how far can you walk in your vintage cycling shoes with slotted cleats ?

JohnDThompson 

About as far as I can walk on my clipless shoes with look cleats.

If I'm riding somewhere to walk around, I can just use regular shoes or stick a pair of Tai-Chi shoes in my jersey pocket.

TejanoTrackie 

Or, you could use SPD type clipless pedals and wear completely walkable shoes with recessed SPD cleats.

JohnDThompson 

I could, but then I'd to buy need a third (superfluous) pedal/cleat system for all my bikes.

franswa

This is an interesting video/findings. Not all that scientific by any means, but interesting nonetheless. Not something I fully endorse, just wanted to share.

Video: GCN investigates the real difference between clipless and flat pedals

Six jours

I get hot foot from the typically flexible soles of "recessed cleat" shoes. The road shoes with stiff soles work fine, but walking in them is actually worse than walking in the typical pair of cycling shoes with slotted cleats.

Regardless, I thought we were talking about foot retention, not hiking.

TejanoTrackie 

The OP said he was considering SPD pedals with walkable shoes, so I responded on that basis. It's also a good bet that the OP and most people under 50 will not be purchasing vintage cycling shoes with slotted cleats, so I responded in that sense when comparing foot retention. The fact that geezers like you and me began riding and racing with clips, straps and shoes with slotted cleats is totally irrelevant to this thread. Yes, I still on occasion put on my old Sidis and Dettos to ride one of my vintage bikes, but when it comes to day to day riding I use modern pedals and footwear because they are functionally better than the old stuff.

Six jours

Well, all I saw was some folks claiming that clipless gives better retention than clips and straps. As a blanket statement, you and I both know that isn't true. I'd let it slide, coming from the usual crowd, but it surprised me to see it from you. Maybe we should split a can of PBR and be friends again.

Wspsux

Thanks for all the feedback, fellas!

rustystrings61 

I tried clipless on fixed gears about 14 years ago,using the stock pedals and cleats that came with my original issue Bianchi Pista. That experiment ended about 750 miles or 8 months later, when I experienced a spontaneous release on a descent and was tossed over the bars, breaking a couple of ribs and turning my left side into hamburger.

After recovering and getting back on the bike, I decided I prefer VVT - visually verifiable technology - for foot retention. I ride the same MKS Sylvans with Christophe clips and ALE straps whether I've wearing my old Sidi touring shoes, the old Carnac touring shoes, or top-siders for work. No problems and it's cheap and reliable.

If you go clipless, please be fanatical about the condition of both pedals and cleats. Broken bones suck, as does road rash, but there have been closed-head injuries leading to death due to spontaneous unclipping.

AlexGS1

I love both SPD's and Clips/Straps. I find clipless to have fewer benefits in the city (Stoplights/Intersections/Jaywalkers/etc). I keep clips/straps on my commuters and spd's on my touring bike.

Six jours

I still bear the scars from early clipless too. In fairness, though, today's clipless is quite a bit better.

europa

The Shimano SPD-L are just bloody dangerous seeing there's nothing to stop your foot sliding right off the front when you're trying to clip in (and miss). Not a problem with a freewheel where you can stop the wheel and pfaff about but with fixed gear and rigid, smooth soled, slippery shoes, I wrote them off as a bad joke. Something with a lip to catch the front of the cleat is much better (yes, I know, other brands do offer that).