For those who are not clipless

[Geonz]

I haven't done clipless (i'm too cheap and forgetful). On my faster bike I have toe clips and straps, and I do have to flip things to get 'em in. I had a pair of saucony's that had the *perfect* tread - the triangles on the bottom were in just the right place to grab the pedal. Of course, the next time I bought shoes the tread was just enough different so it hit the wrong place.
On my commuter bike I have the toe clips but without the straps, which would be a lot like the toe cup. It makes it lots easier to find my way in, tho' I do still have to push the pedal over toget it on the right side, but I really like being able to get in and out from any angle, any position, quickly - commuting has its moments.
I got some Salomon shoes from steep and cheap that were made for somethign like waterfall climbing, so they have a nice stiff sole and are meshy so that when they get doused, they don't get funky. (I am also blessed with not getting cold feet easily.) The stiff sole is very nice. My next steepandcheap sneakers were Montrails which are more like regular sneakers but they're fine (adn I love their bright orange color with reflection).

[Flur]

I got a call from the PT place this morning. It turns out they can get me in a full week earlier, which now is only a week away. And the therapist I'll be seeing is a woman, so yay! I'm so excited! Now all I have to do is not make anything worse or injure anything else before I get there....

[Geonz]

Good news! Good luck!

[shootingstar]

I haven't done clipless (i'm too cheap and forgetful). )

Well Geonz, I've said my piece already. I have to say that after falling twice on black ice off my bike (during different winters) on the road here, I guess I'm more hesitant to get myself to go clipless.

After all these past years of cycling because we are car-free and cycling trips I've done, I do occasionally feel the pressure...to go clipless. But then when I find myself caught in heavy car traffic, etc., those thoughts go away.

I also now realize that being car-free, does mean a certain amount of walking when getting off and on the bike temporarily and several times over a multiple-hrs. in a day. It's probably something I've taken for granted for so long..

[deeaimond]

yeah shootingstar, i agree about the pressure to go clipless. When other cyclists ask me I just tell them I'm not ready. There are so many risks involved especially when you need to cycle in urban traffic because there are no alternatives.

Recently the cover inside of the BB bracket on my bike comes loose and pops out. has happened twice already. both tims I could just come to a stop. I can't imagine what it would have been like with clipless.

I use regular platform pedals (they are aliminium and have teeth which give a relatively decent grip) I found these shoes by Gola. in the beginning i liked riding with a softer sole, but now I have a pair with a stiff sole. They look very much like cycling shoes so much that no one usually notices i'm on platforms.

Oh yesterday a guy friend of mine showed up for a ride with sparkling new platforms. asked him about it and he said.. well.. it's just safer.

my opinion is unless I'm like.. training for a race or something, I can deal with the slightly lower pedaling efficiency of platforms. At the end of the day I like my relatively unmarred skin. heh.

[KnottedYet]

BMX pedals.

I push 'em like crack.

BMX pedals.
(wellgo, crank bros, kona jacksh*ts)