Big benefits of going clipless?

[sfa]

I can't help you since I ride with toe clips (what I want to know is why are they toe clips when you don't clip in, but clipless pedals require you to clip in? Is this kind of like you drive on the parkway but park in the driveway?) but I found that wearing real cycling shoes with my toe clips makes life a lot easier--they fit better and the firm sole is more comfortable over the long haul.

My next bike - should I ever have enough money for one! - will probably involve clipless pedals. I'm curious about them, and figure enough people who are more uncoordinated than I am manage them just fine, so I should be fine too. I don't see any point in switching the pedals on my current bike, though, so my curiosity will have to wait. I suspect that they don't make that much of a difference, particularly for someone not interested in winning races.

Sarah

[gabriellesca]

I tired to do the same thing - use bike shoes with the toe cages but I couldn't ride with them - I have the fabric cages and the shoes would fall through the cage out the other side - I couldn't ride with them at all.

Yea - I'm also wondering if its really all that worth it?

[Over50Newbie]

I tried clipless -absolutely hated it - and went back to toe cages.

I figure that I am a 55 year old purely recreational rider that does a century ride once a season. All my other rides are 50 miles or under.

I bike in my wonderfully comfortable sneakers and I am as happy as a clam.

I ride 3 to 4 times a week and never have pain in my feet.

As the saying goes, "To each her own."

Lynette

[TsPoet]

Clipless help power transfer (you can pedal in a circle and they keep your feet on the pedal). The keep your feet from slipping off, and they can increase control of the bike (your feet can help control the bike along with your hands).
Once you switch to them and get comfortable in them they can be safer than not having them- I hate my feet slipping off my pedals, for example.
They aren't dangerous once you get used to them, it becomes second nature to twist your foot.
They aren't for everyone nor are they for every bike, and there is nothing wrong with not having them.

[tzvia]

I can't go riding without clipless pedals. The thought of those cages makes me cringe, and the thought of my feet slipping on rattrap pedals is even worse.

Yes it is something that needs to be 'learned' and there is a fear factor at first. Once I got over how it works (on a trainer for a week) I went out on rides on quiet streets with lots of stop signs so I could practice unclipping as I slow down. Been clipless since the early LOOK pedals and Keywins and now ride SPD and Speedplays. Even the commuter has XTR pedals.

Frankly, I find it easier to just push my foot down and 'click' instead of having to flip over the pedal and shove my foot in. Twist heal out and 'click' I am free instead of having to yank my foot out at a light and crap it's stuck reach down and loosen the buckle woops. Ok, ride the rat-trap side and the darn cage can catch on stuff. Where is this easier? I don't think about it, just click click. Toe clips are too much work for me.

For non 'racer' types, there are shoes that look kinda like sneakers, but with stiffer soles which make for more comfort, and SPD compatibility. That would be my suggestion. You can clip out and walk around, shop, whatever. If doing more fast riding, racing style shoes can be had with even stiffer soles and lighter weight but it's a bear to walk with the clips sticking out the bottom of the shoe. So be realistic as to what your needs are, but even with toe clips-I recommend cycling shoes. It will cut down or eliminate the pain you can get in the soles as it provides support as you apply pressure on the down-stroke.

[katherine]

Frankly, I find it easier to just push my foot down and 'click' instead of having to flip over the pedal and shove my foot in. Twist heal out and 'click' I am free instead of having to yank my foot out at a light and crap it's stuck reach down and loosen the buckle woops. Ok, ride the rat-trap side and the darn cage can catch on stuff. Where is this easier? I don't think about it, just click click. Toe clips are too much work for me.

I second this. I have cages on my communter and clipless on my mtb, and wish I had clipless on both. For the reord, if I can learn to mtn bike in clipless pedals without killing myself, you'll be just fine. Go for it.

[tharley]

Clipless help power transfer (you can pedal in a circle and they keep your feet on the pedal). The keep your feet from slipping off, and they can increase control of the bike (your feet can help control the bike along with your hands).
Once you switch to them and get comfortable in them they can be safer than not having them- I hate my feet slipping off my pedals, for example.
They aren't dangerous once you get used to them, it becomes second nature to twist your foot.
They aren't for everyone nor are they for every bike, and there is nothing wrong with not having them.

Exactly. I have absolutely no coordination, but once I got my clipless, my balance & power increased 80%. It sounds dumb, but I never thought of how being attached to the bike could make my balance and steering more efficient. So far, no falls *knock on wood*.