Has anyone read this yet?
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Has anyone read this yet?
Yep, I've read it.
I still ride clipless most of the time. It's what I like and am comfy with.
CA
Yeah, I've read it. He wrote it quite a while ago.
He states that it's just his opinion and it works for him. Wouldn't work for me.
It doesn't work for me, either. I am no racer or wanna-be, but I pretty much find it impossible to ride on flat pedals anymore. I can't push off and I find it really hard to climb.
Ahhh....the age old clipless vs. non-clipless debate again.
I don't see anyone doing any debating.
It works for some. Doesn't for some others. That's the way the wheel goes round.
It works very well for Grant as I know he can fly up Mt Diablo without being clipped in - including the 1/4 mile or so of 20% at the end and wearing a floppy hat too.:D Yes, he often climbs Mt Diablo w/o a helmet. I've never seen him descend w/o one though. Of course he had to lug it up there along with whatever else he's carrying in his bags - usually some pretty good food. The guy is a very strong, very talented rider.
Ride what makes you happy.
Veronica
Now you're debating. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
Yeah, but I'm right because it's red . . . .
I don't get it, sorry. :oQuote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
I like my riding 'compromise' of using diagonal straps- they're snug and keep my feet from slipping off the pedals, but I still get to wear all my favorite comfy shoes and also my warm heavy insulated hiking boots in the winter. :p
I wasn't very impressed by most of his arguments. I'll stick to my clipless. But, hey, whatever works for him is cool with me.
I guess I was just sort of surprised by it. Maybe I need to go read more of his articles, as you guys have probably already read them. I know there is the clipless vs non-clipless debate, and I do both, depends on the bike and what I'm doing. Now the stiff sole part was the surprise. I don't think I've ever heard that it doesn't make any difference. I've always heard otherwise, but then again, I have never even been close to an expert in cycling. Is there a raging debate somewhere over stiff shoes vs anything else?
Edit: Never mind. I missed the line about needing a stiff sole for a peddle as big as a soup spoon. It's regular pedals he thinks you don't need one for. No kidding. I'm through asking dumb questions now!
My folding bike has half platform / half SPD pedals, I often just use the platforms when I am traveling as I don't always have room for the bike shoes. The only place I really miss the clipless is on steep climbs.
I'll even ride it wearing heels. ;)
Grant drives me nuts, but has a lot of followers, doesn't really matter as long as you are out on a bike.
Why? Have you ever had a conversation with him?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. SR500
Veronica
Now we're debating ;) :p :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Veronica
And cycling shoes; do you prefer spike heels or pumps?
No, but he stopped making the bike I wanted in my size - and who knows if he'll ever bring it back:( I've tried (and failed) to find one in good used condition.Quote:
Originally Posted by Veronica
*sigh*
There's a debate - which bike for what?
:D:D
No, I just get annoyed when people make assumptions about someone whom they have never met. There's this assumption that Riv and Grant only build "retro" old fashioned bikes. Having worked with them to build up my double century bike, which is now the bike I use for triathlon, I can tell you, they build you the bike you want.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trek420
That's Grant's whole point. Get the bike you want, that suits you and how you ride.
Veronica
I've read that some find him oh I dunno opinionated? When you build one of the worlds best bikes you are entitled to your opinions :D
I've never met the guy. When Knott and I went on a pilgrimage to "the shrine of steel lugged bikes" we saw his bike.
Does that count? ;)
As for the shoe debate while I ride clipless most days but I have to agree with him in some ways. On the advice of my LBS (hi Chirs!) I got BMX style pedals on my freewheel mixte. Well really he chose them, I had no say in the matter.
They are shockingly surprisingly grippy. I'd consider them for my commuter and probably never miss the clipless.
Riding with a broken toe I need the support of a stiff sole and that alone is a benefit to bike shoes.
All I know is that one of the things I remember most clearly from 23 years ago is making the transition from sneakers to stiff nylon soled cleated cycling shoes. (This was before clipless and carbon soles. :rolleyes:) Same bike, same legs, same pedals, same toe clips, same route, not even trying to push, it was good for an average 1.5 mph. Way too much to be a placebo effect.
Clipless just made it safer since I could get a foot out without having to take a hand off the bars.
As I've said before, how soon we forget. :cool:
I've got platforms on my commuter and ride that in sneakers, crocs, loafers, sandals, dress shoes, even low heels. Obviously it's more convenient. But for pedaling efficiency and comfort, I don't see any comparison.
Ok, Grant's "Writings" drive me nuts. I'm sure he is a great guy, but he often comes across as "my way is best". That said, I believe ride what you want and enjoy - it's all good.
Grant provided a great voice way back when (and still does) that there is an alternative to the average party line thrown at you in most bike shops. He's a quirky inconclast. Unfortunately, he frequently comes across as espousing not just another party choice in the greater scheme of things but THE Party.
Nobody is right or wrong, but personality can make the difference in changing a discussion to a sermon. Grant has a lot of value to offer, but I have to be in the right frame of mind to read his articles.
He may be opinionated, but he does always point out that those are his opinions. We can choose to read them or not. But regardless of whether he is right/wrong etc., I have to say that he built me a darn great bike! :)
Eh. *shrug* Grant is certainly unusual in his preferences.
And I share some of his preferences -- not because they're his, but because I happen to like them.
For instance, bar-end shifters. I happen to like them. I like how they work, and I like how they look. :)
And I like wool jerseys (er, but not in the summer). OTOH, my husband wears wool jerseys pretty much year-round, very lightweight ones in the summer.
And saddlebags large enough to carry what I need to carry. OK I've been paring down some on the size of the saddlebags I've been using :D , but I'll never have a teeny-tiny one. Ain't gonna happen. I like to be able to wear a jacket or a bolero and have a place to stash it, and I'm not too keen on wadding one up and stuffing it in my jersey pocket.
And he'll never proclaim to anyone that they don't need a triple chainring or a mountain cassette because gee, that's not what's done if you're a "serious" cyclist. :p
I don't buy into his seersucker - floppy hat - baggy shorts - sneakers style, but heck, it works for him. And I like my clipless pedals, although I wear mountain bike shoes and Keen cycling sandals rather than road shoes because I like to be able to walk around comfortably.
My husband doesn't like regular polyester cycling jerseys so he tends to be Grant-ish and wears wool jerseys or seersucker shirts on top, although he still wears cycling shorts and rides w clipless pedals (usually w Shimano sandals).
Yeah, Grant definite espouses another approach to cycling - use what's comfortable and practical for you. He can get a bit heavy-handed sometimes but I tune into what works for me and tune out the rest.
And now to lighten things up even more. learn of the Llednevir:
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=71774
Don't be afraid, it's perfectly safe. I (snap) said so. :p
Oh Snap! I needed that laugh, and I'm still laughing!:DQuote:
Originally Posted by snapdragen
Oh. my. gawd.
That was sooo good.
Hey I like that bike!
Reminds me of my husband's old Trek which is now his errand/shopping bike:
http://harmonias.com/bikes/Trek_1.jpg
There are lots of pricey new steel bikes being made by frame builders these days for people who like them. People can buy new, fix up old, get what they please and pay what they please- aluminum, steel, carbon, titanium, bamboo...whatever! All bikes are good. :D
And if someone wants to ride their bike dressed as Robin Hood...dressed as Lance Armstrong... or dressed in nothing at all...I say GO for it. :p
OMG - I think I just pulled something laughing so hard at that whole thread!Quote:
Originally Posted by snapdragen
"Why bring heavy and boring dried food when you can simply bring a big gun?"
*snort, cough, choke*
Obviously a quite strong, talented rider. That's great.Quote:
Originally Posted by Veronica
I ride with toeclips. The stiff shoe sole helps alot so am abit puzzled by the claim of whatever shoe sole by him.
Obviously I'm "weaker" if I can't cycle in soft ballet slippers or cheapie beach rubber flip flops. Oh well, have no interest in trying them out. I already wear customized orthotics inside my cycling shoes. I can't imagine at this time with softer soled shoes..my feet will feel killed.
Right. Cliff Shots are for SISSIES! I prefer to leap into a stream and catch a salmon in my teeth. "Real Girl sashimi".Quote:
Originally Posted by GLC1968
Interestingly, I was comparing my comfy stiff-soled walking/hiking shoes to my comfy flexible Merrill jogging sneakers- both in similar 25 mile rides yesterday and today, with my platform touring pedals and the same socks. Both shoes are extremely comfortable when walking for miles, and both offer excellent support for me. Yesterday the stiff soled, and by the end of ride i had a little bit of burning on the balls of my feet. Today similar ride with the cushy jogging sneaks and my feet felt great all the way through the ride. Interesting....and not what I expected!
Oh for pete's sake, where the heck did Grant or anyone else anyone say that ? Yeesh. :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by shootingstar
Um, that last one depends on the body of said someone. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl
I don't know about all this but NO ONE should bike in Crocs. Actually, very few should wear Crocs in public. Who even invented those aberrations of shoes?
Not that I don't own a pair, and not that I don't wear them out in public. But I SHOULDN'T. I can only embrace ugliness so far.
If that's the case, we should outlaw 90% of the shoes on the market. Orgo-natch functional only goes so far.
you all are cracking me up! My commuter has platforms on one side and spds on the other. I tried wearing my mtn bike shoes to commute in, and it wasn't so good for me. I ride my commuter in whatever matches my outfit :o I don't ride seriously on my commuter though - unless I'm outrunning hail and lightening... I can't imagine riding my road bike without my clipless... Also, I would love to see someone jump off their bike into a river and come out with a fish... I would pay to see that ;)
Second the idea about banning Crocs.
Ugh.
And I would think they would be quite dangerous for riding.
I'm too old to care.
I've been able to literally watch my toes unfurl over the months I've been wearing Crocs. You mean toes aren't supposed to be skrunched up and unable to fully extend???
As for riding, they're no more dangerous than... say... anything else not clipped in. :cool:
NO! Your toes should eventually wind up in roughly the shape of the munchkins from Wizard of Oz.Quote:
Originally Posted by OakLeaf
I have stopped caring about carrying a nice purse (my Rudy Project Backpack is now my purse), the grey stripe in my hair, and the fact that my nails look like have been digging potatoes all day.
And my flippers are definitely more comfortable in Crocs. But dang. They are ugly. I am now in full flip flop phase (I sometimes wear my "dress flip flops" if I am feeling puckish). My feet are too wide for most flip flops, so I wear men's from American Eagle. Probably just a big a fashion faux pas as Crocs. I should just shut up.
For biking I shove the flippers in my bike shoes and clip in.
Well, years ago I actually jumped into a pond and came out with two big snapping turtles, one in each hand. Does that count? I admit I caught them with my two hands (like a sissy), not with my teeth.Quote:
Originally Posted by ginny
Here's a picture (after I got the mud cleaned off myself a bit):
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3489/...e9fed1c018.jpg
P.S. I never could have done it if I was clipped in. :cool: