they work perfectly fine but im certain in a situation when a car is coming at me or anything is coming at me and i have to get off the bike im a dead man.these things are not like ski binding they dont just release when you need them to at the moment when your bike goes one way and your body goes the other.my speedplays work great im used to them too but the entire concept is a death trap.so has anyone bought a very expensive bike and not used clipless pedals or had clipless pedals and took them off?i know its just a shame to buy a cervelo like mine and do this but im just asking.im have not taken them off yet but i am considering it .also if not clipless is there anything between clipless and just an old fashioned pedal you all might recommend.and yes the speedplay is adjusted just fine and so are the sidis.thanks all by the way i cant be alone here thinking they are dangerous but maybe just maybe im the one who will admit it

I have never had an issue with an emergency release. I ride with SPDs and SPD-SLs. Maybe you need to consider a different clipless set up.

You're making this a bigger issue than it needs to be. Keep practicing.

what would that do for me?i have speedplay chrome mollys and maxed the float out at 15 degrees.you really cant get a much better release than that.the concept of the clipless in a split second situation with a 3500 pound car coming at you the clip is not gonna let you out.am i wrong?

im practiced its functioning fine but i just dont want to die because some old lady didnt look both ways coming out a parking lot.she hits me that bike isnt coming off

I ditched the clip-ins at the start of this year. For the past 6 years, I had been riding with Look Keos. They were OK, but I didn't like having to replace the plastic cleats every year, which would get pretty loose. Finally, my cycling shoes began to need replacing, but instead of buying new ones, I went ahead and bought platform pedals for my bikes. I use the MKS Lambda pedals, bought from Treefort Bikes for around $37. These pedals are also sold elsewhere as "Grip Kings".

https://www.treefortbikes.com/#navbar...22360767___114

Now I can just wear sneakers at all times, which is very comfortable. It is nice to be able to come to a stoplight, put both feet on the ground and stand up straight to stretch. I haven't really noticed any drop in power, and I still keep up with group rides just fine. But I do get asked a lot of questions, since I'm always the only one without clip-ins.

The only time when I would like to have clip-ins is when climbing steep grades >15%, because then you do actually pull up on the pedals, but otherwise, I think being clipped in is way overhyped.

i totally feel ya.again i have not taken them off but if i do i have no idea what to replace them with as far as type and brand name but that peace of mind knowing you dont have to think about getting off that bike just before the moment of impact is beginning to have value for me.also im willing to bet anything that a lot of deaths on road bikes had a lot to do with clipless pedals and no one discusses it for fear of looking like what i look like right now for raising the topic a total whoosey.but ill be the sacrificial lamb on this.oh boy is my post gonna bring the heat!

Ugh. You're living in a different world. I have pulled myself out of my SPD-SL clipless pedals in milliseconds. Once I stopped at a light and instead of leaning left I leaned right and I STILL pulled myself out before falling.

I don't really understand the 3500 pound car comment. Ok, it's coming at you, so you're going to what, pull your sneaker out of your grip kings and that will save you how?

Keep practicing. I've got 8000 miles on my clipless. No falls. None.

im sorry they just dont function like that i dont have your experience i know that but there is a few seconds to turn that heel and a few seconds at most to realize your about to get hit if your lucky to even see it coming.i ride in traffic sometimes and its just not how it works ive learned in real short time.its like motorcycles those guys sometimes have to jump off that bike to save their lives its not like skis where the skis for sure are coming off and you truly dont have to think about it.but i respect your opinion a lot

Put whatever pedals you want to on your bike. I like BMX for commuting.

... Oh and it won't be a woman, it'll be a drunk 20 year old guy...

I have no idea what you're talking about. I am not the original poster of this thread. I merely added my comment that sneakers work comfortably for me, and I no longer need to use a clip-in system. This has nothing to do with bike safety. It is OK for you to question the "conventional wisdom" that says that you must have clip-in pedals to be a serious cyclist. Hey guess what, you also don't need to shave your legs - that hair won't slow you down too much.

Complete and utter FACEPALM

The bottom line is use whatever pedal system works best for you and your requirements. There is no right or wrong.

This. I also agree with the other poster who pointed out that you're probably making too big a deal of this. "Bailing Out" off your bike doesn't ever solve anything - the laws of physics make sure that you keep going the same direction as your bike.

I've actually crashed twice on my mountain bike where I got thrown over the handlebars; and I was able to unclip, jump the bars and land on my feet. If you really want to get good with clipless pedals - get a mountain bike and go ride trails with really steep, rocky, sandy climbs.

clipless are about confidence in your skills. you are new to biking so you haven't built that up yet. clipping in and out is second nature once you do it enough. having said that, you should do what you are comfortable with. if you want to put platforms on your bike do it if it makes you feel safer. btw, you are completely incorrect about clipless causing deaths.

My personal opinion is that people make too big a deal about how great clipless pedals are. I tried Look Keo's for a year on my road bike. Now I have Shimano SPD's on it. I like the SPD's much better. But I still have platform pedals on my tourer and mountain bike. I don't notice much of a letdown in performance when I go to the platforms.

I know, I know. Others will likely strongly disagree. I'm not saying I'm right and they're wrong. I'm just stating what I've found to seem true for me.

The OP needs a second bike...

I recommend you give it a little more time. I will never ride without clipless pedals. They hold my feet right where they should be, even if I get tired or am putting out max effort.

Unclipping is just as natural as putting a foot down. But lots of people ride with different platform setups. Use what makes you want to ride your bike more.

I'm considering putting platforms on my fixed gear.

I used toeclips and straps back in the '80s. I tried them a few years ago and fell over trying to twist my foot instead of pulling back.

+1

If you want to read a different opinion on this topic, read this article:

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

i also mountain bike

bailing off my bike could save a lot such as being dragged under a car now thats just a silly response

unclipping in a scary moment is nothing like just putting a foot down not even close

Maybe it's not to you but it is to others. Many of us don't agree with you and have plenty of experience to back our opinions. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable.

+1