Benefits of clipless
 

Hi Guys,

Aside from power transfer what are the benefits or reasons to run clipless on a FG opposed to double strap cages?

If I make the move to clipless I'd like to use a SPD pedal mated to a casual shoe such as the offerings from mission workshop. Is a shoe like this rigid enough to utilize the benefit of a clipless system?

I run spd sl clipless on my roadie with bontrager shoes and quite like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNed...=TLO2BSQfLgQBs

This was an interesting watch regarding this matter

Basically, it's much easier to pull up on the pedals with clipless than clips, because you can pull back as well as up w/o pulling your foot off the pedal. As far as SPDs with walkable shoes, they are not quite as stiff as true cycling shoes, but for anything less than very long rides or competition they are quite adequate. I use DZR Minnas and Keen Commuter II Sandals with SPD cleats and have ridden up to 20 miles in them w/o any discomfort.

Very sciencey video! Interesting too.

thanks for the feedback TT.

I forgot to inquire about skidding. Anything specific regarding clipless vs clips?

I am going to assume that you are referring to clips and straps without the use of cleats. Otherwise I will be forced to forget your entire existence.

That is probably a valid assumption since cleats havent been relevant in since like 400 years ago.

Got to agree with Six jours. I've been using single straps, toeclips and slotted cleats for 35 years. I've taken gears like 42x17 up some seriously steep hills. There's a local hill with two pedal revs of 20% (I,m guessing). I use it as a test for straps. Either they are up to the job of me pulling with everything I've got or I'm walking.

One minor drawback (until it happens) is that you can uncleat clipless pedals without realizing it until it happens. Tends to happen more often at high RPMs. My experience is that I have little awareness of my foot angle when RPMs exceed 200; easily done with a 42x17 (40 mph). Some of you may be OK with the thought of that happening, but it scares the you-know-what out of me. Hence I will never go clipless on a fixie for the hills. No, I pull my straps tight before I descend!

Ben

Which angle? Heel up or heel out? If heel up (and yer talking spds like the OP), get SM51 cleats instead of SM56, you'll get fewer heel-up releases that way.

Apparently I'm older than I look. I was riding cleats my last ride which I thought was Monday, but apparently it was almost half of Noah's lifetime ago.

We have an equally ancient sport here in Portland, OR. Velodrome racing, where large apes with huge thighs ride funny bicycles for three laps around the track, wearing funny shoes and two straps around each.

Ben

I really don't know. My riding is limited to no-float pedals. I have only used LOOK Delta compatibles with black cleats for my geared bikes because they work and I have them. (LOOKs are heel out, aren't they?) I tried SPDs for one ride fixed years ago, disconnected with one foot at 18 mph and crashed. Didn't get hurt much but it taught me that I never want to do that going fast, ever. (My injuries were more from the foot coming off and the very awkward launch than hitting the road.) If I have to fall over another 20 times because I didn't get to the straps in time, I don't care. Those 20 (all by definition at a standstill) in total would be a tiny percent of the pain and injury of a one footed fix gear crash at 40. That's a nightmare I don't need.

Ben

You're also less prone to pedal strike with SPDs.
I had it happen quite often when I was running platforms w/ straps.

I haven't had any issues with accidental unclipping. I think as long as you have the pedals properly adjusted, and keep cleats that are in good shape, you should be fine.

Did a super randonneur series this year in a pair of Chrome Arnhems (basically skate shoes) with double straps and cages, no issues.

Still have my Duegis.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=415949

A lot of roadies wear spd (mountain bike) clipless shoes. I've got them on my SS/FG and a couple of road bikes. There are a number of mountain bike and "urban" cycling shoes you can wear and walk around in all day.

Besides the power transfer, I feel more secure and can pull up on the pedals as well as mash.

Chrome Kursk Pro 2.0 Bike Shoes - Men's

http://www.rei.com/media/ee/db5fadbf...e10ee11b4a.jpg

DZR Shoes | Urban Cycling Shoes at Erik's | Buy Online | Free Shipping

http://www.eriksbikeshop.com/Assets/...C15041_mlg.jpg

+1 on the DZR's.

I have a pair of the Jetlag Nero's and they're pretty great.
Friends with the Chrome shoes tell me they're a bit stiff.

Im interested in the JetLag Nero. How do they fair in regards to skidz and general hooligan activities on the bike? Do they ever pop out? Do you find that the retention keeping the shoe closed around the foot is adequate?

I have no trouble doing skids. It took me about 2 weeks to really put full faith in the shoes/pedals because I hadn't ridden with SPDs before.
Now I wouldn't go back, at least not on my "serious" bike.
If you're doing keo spins or tricks that you might fall while trying, I think pedals/straps are the way to go. For skids, trackstands and just mashing around, SPDs work just fine.

The retention is no issue. I was a little concerned with it just being a single velcro strap, but they do just fine. I love my shoes.

My Velcro only lasted around four to five months before it was to worn out and caused multiple failures. They might be fine for causal riding but anything really aggressive you are going need buckles or boas.

damn. now im hoping mine don't crap out. i've been riding mine for about 3 months.

the DZR minna's don't look too bad and have laces. i may have to upgrade for xmas

If ya got size 36-41 and need cheap walkable spd shoes. They're pretty wide, so narrow feets might feel a little sloppy in 'em. Only $15.

https://www.biketiresdirect.com/prod...-trekking-shoe

I wanna get a pair of these before snow days happen.

http://www.giro.com/media/catalog/pr..._enduro_34.jpg

Clipless - most efficient pedal stroke and not ugly

Got a sprint like Sir Chris Hoy you need to strap your shoes down to the clipless pedals Or the upper will, pull away from the sole .

I'm very good at breaking things so you're probably fine. I've already ripped through the top of my shimano spds after like a year.

Ugly is in the eye of the beholder. But clipless being more efficient? Black (no-float) LOOK cleat vs toeclips, straps and slotted cleats? Tell me how one is more efficient when, with either system, the shoe goes nowhere on the pedal. (The toestraps do offer a direct link to the pedal when lifting instead of introducing flex from the shoe. Note that as pointed out above, track sprinter regularly run toestraps even using clipless.)

Yeah, I suppose you can argue that float is more efficient than no-float. I do not have that choice; not if I want to hang on to my OEM knees. (If float is more efficient, you probably should have pointed that out a a certain multi Tour winner who won the first five or so on LOOK black and didn't go to his sponsors pedals until they made a no-float option.

Ben