Do clipless pedals make that much of a difference?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I 'attach' my feet by using diagonal PowerGrip straps, not clipless systems. I LOVE them, and never get stuck in them and never have to worry about my feet slipping off pedal. I keep them adjusted fairly snug.
My husband has regular shoes with stiffish soles and he uses toeclips (cages) on all his bikes and really likes them. He keeps his adjusted so he can get his feet in and out without unbuckling the strap.
Everyone is different, there is no 'right' or 'wrong' that fits everyone's situation.

[shootingstar]

I use toeclips that don't have a toeclip strap.

http://www.zefal.com/zefal/gamme.php...857b24055cd406 I honestly don't understand claims that these are dangerous...they are better to ride in when dealing with city traffic where there is alot of sudden stopping and starting.

I've been riding regularily for nearly past 17 yrs. and yes, have done long-distance touring.

For certain, I want my feet held in place on the pedal, for more power cadence especially when wanting to go faster or going up hills.

[SadieKate]

I use toeclips that don't have a toeclip strap.

http://www.zefal.com/zefal/gamme.php...857b24055cd406 I honestly don't understand claims that these are dangerous...they are better to ride in when dealing with city traffic where there is alot of sudden stopping and starting.

Because most of the time we assume that toeclips/cages include a strap and are tightened down for maximum control and efficiency.

I like half-toeclips for around town errands also, but I wouldn't use cage/straps for mtb-ing. No way, no how. Half clips? Sure, if you want. Plenty of BMXs and downhills riders use platforms only. Skills clinics are taught with platforms, but they'll also tell you each type of pedal has its pros and cons.

[velogirl]

The reason that toe-clips/cage have the reputation of being dangerous is that, if used properly (tightening the straps down tightly so the foot doesn't move), the chance of your foot not releasing from the toe-clip/cage if you crash is pretty high. The injuries sustained by torquing your leg in such a crash can be pretty traumatic. This is one of the primary reasons why clipless pedals are touted as "safer" than toe-clips/cages. Clipless pedals are designed (like ski bindings) to release if you crash, freeing your foot from the bike.

Now, if you never crash, toe-clips aren't dangerous, right?

Lorri

[shootingstar]

Now, if you never crash, toe-clips aren't dangerous, right?

Lorri

I use half toe clips with no strap (click into the Zefal link that I gave). I've fallen twice while cycling on black ice in winter. Thankfully was cycling in slow-mo with no cars, around me at the time on both occasions.

Doubtful that being clipless there would have saved me at all since road surface conditions made it difficult for traction by wheel or bike shoe.

I don't know what to say..but I do cycle alot..low years would be 3,000 kms., higher mileage years would be 6,000 kms annually. This year will be 6,000+ kms.

My partner..the human car..has logged in over 100,000 kms. in his 18 past yrs. ..all on toe clips. He does long distance touring with mountains here in B.C. and Alberta...as well as across Canada and U.S. He is 66 yrs. Think that's the right time to get him on clipless now? He has fallen 2-3 times in all these years.

[Cataboo]

I use half toe clips with no strap (click into the Zefal link that I gave). I've fallen twice while cycling on black ice in winter. Thankfully was cycling in slow-mo with no cars, around me at the time on both occasions.

Doubtful that being clipless there would have saved me at all since road surface conditions made it difficult for traction by wheel or bike shoe.

I don't know what to say..but I do cycle alot..low years would be 3,000 kms., higher mileage years would be 6,000 kms annually. This year will be 6,000+ kms.

My partner..the human car..has logged in over 100,000 kms. in his 18 past yrs. ..all on toe clips. He does long distance touring with mountains here in B.C. and Alberta...as well as across Canada and U.S. He is 66 yrs. Think that's the right time to get him on clipless now? He has fallen 2-3 times in all these years.

I think the answer is that you two are improperly using your toe clips by not tightening down a strap till your foot can't move or break free if you fall.

If you're happy with your pedaling system, you're happy and there's no need to change.

But I don't think either of you would have a problem learning to go clipless. it's not really that hard after the initial learning period.

[Eden]

I use toeclips that don't have a toeclip strap.

http://www.zefal.com/zefal/gamme.php...857b24055cd406 I honestly don't understand claims that these are dangerous...they are better to ride in when dealing with city traffic where there is alot of sudden stopping and starting.

For many beginners any pedal that has to be flipped over to get into - toe clip or clipless pedal can be more dangerous - because beginners have a serious tendency to look at their pedals while trying to get into them.....

I was crashed into by a woman looking down at her pedals on a bike path - I was coming around a corner and she was so intent on trying to get into those pedals that she'd drifted all of the way over and hit me head on. Fortunately I was not moving very quickly so I wasn't damaged.

Ever since I switched from toe clips (I had straps, but I never pulled them very tight...) I've had dual entry pedals - no flipping necessary.

[SadieKate]

I think the answer is that you two are improperly using your toe clips by not tightening down a strap till your foot can't move or break free if you fall.

Not necessarily. Look at the Toe Clip 45 in her link (it's what I call a half-clip). It doesn't even have a slot for a strap. I use that type on my townie bikes.

[Cataboo]

Not necessarily. Look at the Toe Clip 45 in her link (it's what I call a half-clip). It doesn't even have a slot for a strap. I use that type on my townie bikes.

*sigh* Everyone takes everything sooo literally sometimes. I know hers don't have a strap, I was making a joke - the people who said that toe clips were dangerous referred to them being tightly strapped in. shootingstar then said, then I said, and it was possibly funny before I explaineded it to death.

[SadieKate]

*sigh* Everyone takes everything sooo literally sometimes. I know hers don't have a strap, I was making a joke - the people who said that toe clips were dangerous referred to them being tightly strapped in. shootingstar then said, then I said, and it was possibly funny before I explaineded it to death.

Excuse me. Perhaps a smiley face would have helped?

The typed word is literal.

[Miranda]

Remembering that I can pull *up* with my clipless pedals is the biggest ongoing work in progress of my stroke.

In the spring I broke a bone in the ball of my foot. It was while recovering during this time that I really improved this portion of my stroke (took pressure off my injury). My hill climbing certainly improved too...

Just when I would get to a point that I thought my legs could manage no more on a hill... I would say in my head "PULL UP!". New found climbing power would emerge. The pulling up muscles were fresher.

Yes, there is a learning curve... but I personally would never go back. It just feels wrong to me.

Miranda

[sarahspins]

Just when I would get to a point that I thought my legs could manage no more on a hill... I would say in my head "PULL UP!". New found climbing power would emerge. The pulling up muscles were fresher.

I've had my new pedals on my bike all of 2 days now, but I can say without any hesitation that I definitely notice a HUGE difference already, and that's without really making a conscious effort to change my pedaling... I do feel different muscles being used now (in a good way, I think).

But yeah, as a new clipless user, I have to say unequivocally, YES, go for it! Don't be afraid.. it's really not that big of a deal I wish I'd gotten mine sooner (I don't think my wallet wishes the same though.. ha!)

I've been riding in the rain, since that's what we've had this weekend.. no trouble clipping out, I only have trouble clipping in when I'm looking (go figure). No falls or anything stupid - yet! It may be coming, but I had to pull over/stop for two emergency vehicles on my ride earlier (narrow county roads, only safe option is to get the heck out of the way) and I had no trouble doing so, I almost didn't have to think about what to do.

[sundial]

Because I'm a masher, I don't find clipping in to be that much more advantageous than platforms. Plus I get to choose from an assortment of shoooz. If I want to sprint, being clipped in works better.

[Jeffrey Barlow]

Can't resist adding this....I have been biking for more than 50 years, gulp. I have always shied away from clipping in, preferring a cage and tight leather strap, perhaps because much of my riding was captain on a tandem and I had to be able to get that foot down as one of my children was usually stoking. Now I suddenly have nerve damage to my left foot...the big toe and the area surrounding both above and below began to buzz, burn, and ache, driving me to seek medical help. I spent weeks in hot and cold pans of water at my computer, chiropractic visits, all of which gave me only temporary relief.

The diagnosis, from a cycling podiatrist--my good luck!---was that I had very high arches and had damaged the nerve running over the top of the foot from the ankle. The nerve had very little cushioning, running right over the bone and is easily compressed. I found in the next several weeks that despite my assumptions that biking would increase circulation and thus healing, it in fact made the condition worse.

I am a strong rider and have learned over the years to make a full pedal movement, including strong upward pull on the clips. I favor a right knee injury and probably over accentuate the pull up on the left pedal to compensate.

I have gone to clip-ins; I did the required face plant at a stop sign my first time out----sorry you missed it!---and my initial readings, based on only several trips, is that while I still pull against the top of the shoe, it is considerably more forgiving than a tight strap and a metal clip running exactly across the damaged nerves. I find that now a ride does help the condition rather than worsening it.

Ride safely...

Jeffrey

[tctrek]

Just when I would get to a point that I thought my legs could manage no more on a hill... I would say in my head "PULL UP!". New found climbing power would emerge. The pulling up muscles were fresher.

I love that! This post will be in my head next time I'm thinking I can't go anymore on a hill... like next week on the Blue Ridge Parkway ! Thanks!

As for toe clips, clipless, etc.. I tried every kind of clip and platform there is and found myself always looking down trying to get into them or flip them over. I finally went clipless (Speedplay Light Action). I had one bad fall, chickened out for about a month, put them back on and have been happily riding clipless ever since. I got carbon soled shoes this year which made even more difference.