Do clipless pedals make that much of a difference?

[staceysue]

My whole question's in the title. For some reason that's cracking me up.

[Cataboo]

The answer's in the title. For some reason, that's even funnier.

[Cataboo]

Alright, you need your feet to be attached to your pedals. You don't wanna be going down a hill at 30 mph, and lose your pedals. It's really not safe... It gives you more control of the bike.

The other benefit of clips or attaching your feet to the pedals is that you pull back up on the pedal on the other half of your stroke - it's more efficient.



Now if you wanna use grips to hold your feet to the pedals or clips or bmx pedals or something like that... They work too. Just depends on what you're comfortable with... you also can't bunny hop without attaching your feet.

[staceysue]

The answer's in the title. For some reason, that's even funnier.

Why am I laughing so hard right now?

[staceysue]

Alright, you need your feet to be attached to your pedals. You don't wanna be going down a hill at 30 mph, and lose your pedals. It's really not safe... It gives you more control of the bike.

The other benefit of clips or attaching your feet to the pedals is that you pull back up on the pedal on the other half of your stroke - it's more efficient.



Now if you wanna use grips to hold your feet to the pedals or clips or bmx pedals or something like that... They work too. Just depends on what you're comfortable with... you also can't bunny hop without attaching your feet.

How would I lose my pedals?

I've gone down some hills at 28.5 mph since I got my bike. That's the fastest I've got up to. It was scary because I kept thinking about the crash stories that have been on here.

I will be bunny hopping?

Does using the clipless pedals make you much faster right away? What muscles end up getting worked out?

[Owlie]

How would I lose my pedals?

I've gone down some hills at 28.5 mph since I got my bike. That's the fastest I've got up to. It was scary because I kept thinking about the crash stories that have been on here.

I will be bunny hopping?

Does using the clipless pedals make you much faster right away? What muscles end up getting worked out?

Well, it's more likely your foot falls off the pedals. I'm thinking of going clipless for that reason. Scary. I imagine it would be nice trying to get started at stop signs and lights and stuff too (makes up for the unclipping, I guess).

[aeiea]

bah reposting my question in the text box.

Does clipless help or worsen patellofemoral syndrome (runner's knee)?

[papaver]

bah reposting my question in the text box.

Does clipless help or worsen patellofemoral syndrome (runner's knee)?

That depends on the type of clipless pedals. I think that Time clipless pedals are better if you have kneeproblems.

@OP what type of bike do you ride?

[Cataboo]

bah reposting my question in the text box.

Does clipless help or worsen patellofemoral syndrome (runner's knee)?

There's a patellofemoral thread going on on here elsewhere - both wahine & trek420 (or maybe it's knottedyet) have commented and are physical therapists...
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...590#post464590

I have patellofemoral syndrome in my right knee... I use speedplay frog pedals because they have a lot of float (lets you knee move around), and I don't have any knee pain cycling (as long as my seat is at the right height and my cranks are the right length). Being short, I use 165 cranks. 170 mm cranks on my mountain bike.

[OakLeaf]

Does clipless help or worsen patellofemoral syndrome (runner's knee)?

Helps, as long as your cleats are aligned properly. With toe clips and no cleats (I don't think you can even buy the cleats for toe clips any more???), your feet will position themselves according to the shape of your shoes, which may be very wrong for your knees. Alignment is critical, and if you have no cleats, you can't align your feet.

Does using the clipless pedals make you much faster right away? What muscles end up getting worked out?

Cycling shoes make you faster right away, because of the stiff sole. When I got my first pair of cycling shoes 25 years ago, it was good for 1.5 mph. As I said, AFAIK you can't even buy toe clip cleats for cycling shoes any more, so nowadays going to cycling shoes automatically means going to clipless pedals. You'll find you use the backs of your legs more, hammies and calves, and also your hip flexors to pull up when you stand to climb, rather than just mashing down with your quads.

[kermit]

30% more power seems to ring in my head from an article I read. I can't ride a bike without them.

[Kano]

When we first got the clipless pedals, I saw the difference on my cyclo-computer, and I felt the difference in my muscles. Then I got used to it, and took them for granted.

One night, DH and I took our bikes out, I rode my spongy old comfort beast bike, which has flat pedals on it since I took the "good" pedals off and put them on my shiny road bike.

Talk about WRONG! It was SO weird to NOT have that half of the pedal stroke!

(before the clipless pedals, I'd had the "cages." Better than flat, but not as nice as the clipless pedal)

Karen in Boise

[velogirl]

you also can't bunny hop without attaching your feet.

Not true. Once you learn how to properly use stickies (platform pedals with pins along with sticky-soled shoes, you can totally bunny hop without clipless pedals.

What most folks don't realize about stickies is that you have a lot of control of your pedals just by changing the position of your foot (as well as gripping with your toes).

Lorri

[Cataboo]

Not true. Once you learn how to properly use stickies (platform pedals with pins along with sticky-soled shoes, you can totally bunny hop without clipless pedals.

What most folks don't realize about stickies is that you have a lot of control of your pedals just by changing the position of your foot (as well as gripping with your toes).

Lorri

That counts as attaching your feet.

My original text mentioned the various ways of attaching your feet.

[staceysue]

@OP what type of bike do you ride?

Papaver, I have a Lemond Reno WSB. I love her so . . . .