Do I Need To Go Clipless?

[KSH]

First off... do whatever works for you. Don't feel like you HAVE to go clipless... because you don't.

You will get more power out of your pedaling... if you go clipless... but maybe you don't care?

As far as the cleats... if you get mountain biking shoes, you can get cleats that will be in the sole of the shoes. So, you can get off and walk around comfortably. There are many options in shoes and pedals.

In the end though, do what works for you. Best of luck!

[RoadRaven]

Hi Prairedog... like KSH says it is personal preference, and you must decide what is best for you... though you will get more power and stability if you can be comfortable with cleats on your shoes.

Like you, I was rather nervous, but I wouldn't dream of going without being clipped in to my pedals now.

The only exception is when i am on my mountain bike (not a very common thing anyways) or when I am riding with my youngest son - I just flip the pedals over and wear running shoes otherwise I worry that I won't be able to get my feet on the ground quickly enough when he decides to wobble or stop suddenly

[KnottedYet]

I've been clipless now for a couple weeks. Before that I used toe-cages for about 10 years.

I use my bike mostly for commuting. Lots of stops and starts and putting the foot down.

My Speedplay Frogs www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.frog seem to be a whole lot easier to get in and out of than my toe-cages. Even if I have to take off (like at a traffic light) and don't get clipped in right away, the platform of the Frogs is big enough that I can pedal through the intersection safely.

I have mtn bike shoes (Specialized Taho) and have no trouble walking around in them. The cleats make a cool crunching noise when the 3 little metal bits hit sand or dirt on the cement. No problem with traction.

Did a lot of research on clipless, both here and talking to riders I work with and biking friends. Frogs seemed like the best fit for the way I ride, and the kind of simple clip system I wanted. I've been surprised by how much I like them!

Like a lot of folks who've gone clipless have said, "I wonder why I held off for so long!"

[Bad JuJu]

I tried clipless and had to go back to toeclips because I couldn't get my persnickety left knee into a comfortable position with the clipless pedal, even though I used the ones with the most float--Speedplay Frogs. My LBS worked with me, and adjusted the cleat several times, but to no avail--I just couldn't make my knee happy.

Having said that, though, I would LOVE to be able to use clipless. Just the short time I did use them was enough to prove to me that, if you can get the right ones for you, they are actually safer than toeclips. I mean, if you really tighten down the strap on a toeclip, it's harder to get out of than a clipless pedal, at least the Frogs. If you decide to try clipless, get them from an LBS you trust, where they'll put your bike on a trainer and let you check positioning of the cleats and practice clipping in and out a few times. Sure you might be able to get a better price online (or you might not), but the online store won't be there when you need help with installment and adjustment.

I've recently been reading that the new Frogs have even MORE float than the old ones, so I might give them a try again.

[RoadRaven]

Just the short time I did use them was enough to prove to me that, if you can get the right ones for you, they are actually safer than toeclips. I mean, if you really tighten down the strap on a toeclip, it's harder to get out of than a clipless pedal, at least the Frogs.

Heck yes, I NEVER used the straps on a toe-cage thing... too dayam scarey!

[TsPoet]

I haven't used these myself, been clipless for 15 years. But, I've recommended them to my mom- they sound like the perfect "compromise". Anyway - just a thought.

http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/pedal...aps/14046.html
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Extras/product_87805.shtml

[Tuckervill]

I don't quite understand how the Power Grips work? I'm quite visual, and so I need to see pictures or have it explained before I can understand. Do the Power Grips give you the ability to pull up on the pedal? My MTB pedals grip my shoes just fine, but I can't pull up, of course.

I still need to hold a shoe and a clipless pedal in my hand so I can understand that, too. But if I can get Power Grips to do the same thing, I can move up to clipless later.

Thanks!
Karen

[KSH]

Heck yes, I NEVER used the straps on a toe-cage thing... too dayam scarey!

I used the straps at the LBS when I took my bike on a test run.

My foot got caught and I fell down with the bike... and I hadn't even bought it yet.

I was sold on clipless right then and there. So, I bought my bike with clipless pedals... due to the fear factor associated with the toe-cage.

I only fell once with my clipless pedals.... in 1.5 years.