So...how helpful is it REALLY to use clipless/toe clips/Power Grips?

[Jolt]

When I got my first pair of cycling shoes lo these many years ago, it added 1.5 mph (7-8% roughly) to my speed without making any other changes at all.

Those were nylon soles, I don't think there even were carbon soled shoes that long ago?

Wow. My LBS guy did say that the shoes make a big difference. How bad are they to walk in (MTB shoes, I know road shoes are awful so will not even consider using those)?

[TigerMom]

Wow. My LBS guy did say that the shoes make a big difference. How bad are they to walk in (MTB shoes, I know road shoes are awful so will not even consider using those)?

Mountain bike shoes are very easy to walk in. I won't consider road shoes either.

I would say for road biking, my pedaling is improved 10-15% when clipped in because I can shift the burn by pulling stead of pushing and also for more efficient power. Lots of people are using toe clips if they are too scared to completely clip in.

I don't dare mountain bike clipless. I tried that and it was not worth the 10% improvement uphill and the 80% worsening when going downhill (I was literally scared too stiff to move/have good bike-body separation).

[Crankin]

I wrote a reply earlier and I don't see it here. Maybe I forgot to post from my phone.
As Tiger Mom said, mtb shoes are no different than any shoes. What one of my friends did is first she got the stiff soled mtb shoes. Then, she added Power Grips. Of course, she said she'd never go clipless, but soon after, she did.
My suggestion would be Speedplay Frogs. More expensive, but so easy to get in and out of.
And, just for the record, I never had any clipless falls when I started. I rode around for about 3 weeks, with one foot clipped in, on flat streets in my old neighborhood. Finally, I said, this is stupid, and never looked back. I can barely ride on flat pedals now.

[shootingstar]

I've been using toe clips for over the last 2 decades. And I cycle not just for transportation, touring, fitness,etc. I do wear mountain bike shoes and am particular that the stiff sole, must have even slight flex. I can /do walk around in my shoes (I've had different pairs over the years.) for several km.

Yes, you will feel the difference with wearing a stiffer sole shoe when climbing hills.

[rebeccaC]

Being able to use your hamstrings to lift through the back half of the pedal stroke and keeping the correct foot position on the pedal are two big advantages to having a stiff soled shoe locked to a pedal. Both help with giving more cycling efficiency and power over platform pedals. On climbs using both quads and hamstrings also makes you a more efficient climber and you can come off the saddle and use your body weight without risk of your foot coming off the pedal. If any of that is important to you then try clipless if not then since you're comfortable with platforms stick with them but replace the sneakers with at least a stiff soled touring/mb/low cut hiking etc shoes.

It shouldn't take much repetition for unclipping to become just another routine habit.

+1 on frogs and mountain bike shoes for comfortable walking and easy to get out of clipless pedals.

[SGGIRLKY]

What a great thread.. Thanks for starting it Jolt! I have wondered about the clipless shoes but haven't made it to the point of wanting to change. The information you guys have provided will come in handy later.

[Jolt]

This is all getting complicated! Right now I am leaning toward trying the Powergrips on the pedals I have now which are nice big platforms with fairly good grip (MKS Lambda). That way I am not locked into wearing a special shoe and don't have to buy new pedals either. As far as stiffer soled shoes, does anyone have any recommendations? I'd be looking for something that preferably doesn't have a very thick sole so that I still have the option of hopping on the bike in my Merrells etc. for errands without the saddle height being off (see what I mean about things getting complicated?). I seem to remember Five Ten being a brand people here have liked, and was looking at some of their offerings but of course, the one I liked best that looked like a regular sneaker (model name was "Dirtbag", ugh) doesn't come in small enough sizes.