Clippless pedals

"Joe Haller" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

What are the pro's and cons of clippless pedals ?

Are the dangerous to use, and do they take a long time to get used to ?

Regards,

Joey

Pro, you can pull up and pedal 'round' rather than just pushing down
Pro, once i started pedalling right the way round, i found my speed up hills
increased quite a bit, not just up steep hills, but any incline really..
Pro, once you get used to it, it feels a hell of a lot more secure than just
using runners and regular pedals (or even pedals with toe straps)

con, the exposed cleat on a road shoe makes walking in said shoes a bit
difficult (particularly when you get a flat, no tube and the bike ambulance
is still asleep 🙁 )

i cant think of any other bad points?

I went from just regular pedals with no straps, to pedals with straps then
clipless.
The toestraps were just ok but were really easy to pull out of, so i always
had the feeling that i had to be careful..
I use cheapy 515 spd pedals which are pretty ordinary. the pedal is small
and always flips over when i unclip, so when i take off from lights, it can
be a bit difficult to clip in. I'll probably soon go for something similar
to the look style pedal.

It took a few months to get better at clipping in / out. I had the tension
set pretty low at first.
I have yet to tip over🙂 I've come close but managed a dodgy save...
As long as you predetermine what you will do when coming to a stop, then
it's usually ok..

Joe Haller said:

What are the pro's and cons of clippless pedals ?
Are the dangerous to use, and do they take a long time to get used to ?

This has been discussed in the past, a google search should reveal many answers.

Basically, while many say you're guaranteed to fall over a few times before
your brain gets used to twisting your ankle sideways to unclip, many say you
may very well not. Depends on how quickly your brain adapts what's "normal"
for disengaging the clips.
Between my mates and I, about half of us have fallen over, the other half
not, (though there have been some close calls).
How quickly you adapt depends mainly on how often you're riding. If you're a
daily, you're looking at several days, possibly a week before your brain
operation becomes automatic. Of course, if you don't ride that often, it would
take longer.

Pros:
Your feet are securely fastened to the pedals- providing you keep your feet
pointing forwards, they won't come off come hell or high water. (or at least
they shouldn't).
You can apply more force with clipless shoes and pedals than any other
shoe/pedal combination.
Depending on how much you're happy to spend, overall weight is lighter with
clipless than with other types. That is, providing you're happy to spend lots
of money- clipless has the _potential_ to weigh less. (there are light-weight
options for clipless).

Cons:
Cost more.
Depending on type of shoes, you may end up walking funny on normal ground,
and possibly slipping on hard, smooth surfaces.
Those shoes are effectively tied to the bike, in that you can't use them as
normal shoes. Even if they're "sneaker" style that let you walk normally, you
*shouldn't* because it wears the metal clip under the sole while on concrete.
You get constant negative comments from non-clipless users. Be prepaired to
put up with incessant nagging. But then again, if someone doesn't use
clipless, then they're not qualified to comment anyway.

My opinion: The cheapest, nastiest clipless pedals and shoes are a thousand
times better than the best of the 'toe strap' type pedal attachments.
I've ridden plain pedals, straps and clipless, and clipless wins every time.
Even on the mountain bike (actually, especially on the mountain bike).
--
Linux Registered User # 302622 <http://counter.li.org>

"Joe Haller" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

What are the pro's and cons of clippless pedals ?

Are the dangerous to use, and do they take a long time to get used to ?

I've just changed from standard pedals to clipless on my commuting bike.
I've used straps/clips for years before, but not on tis bike (ie for the
last 5 years).

My thoughts: fantastic. 200% better if not more. Easy to get used to, only
took me a couple of days really. Haven't fallen off yet, but I'm not
assuming I never will. I've fallen off ocasionally without them and the
outcome would be no different.

I got "Specialized" MTB shoes with SPD cleats, but they're pretty much like
road shoes though the cleat is recressed into the sole so I can walk up the
front steps without slipping over etc. This is a good compromose for a "rec"
cyclist such as myself I think.

Cheers'
David M

quote='John Tserkezis'Joe Haller said:

What are the pro's and cons of clippless pedals ?
Are the dangerous to use, and do they take a long time to get used to ?

This has been discussed in the past, a google search should reveal many answers.

Basically, while many say you're guaranteed to fall over a few times before
your brain gets used to twisting your ankle sideways to unclip, many say you
may very well not. Depends on how quickly your brain adapts what's "normal"
for disengaging the clips.
Between my mates and I, about half of us have fallen over, the other half
not, (though there have been some close calls).
How quickly you adapt depends mainly on how often you're riding. If you're a
daily, you're looking at several days, possibly a week before your brain
operation becomes automatic. Of course, if you don't ride that often, it would
take longer.

Pros:
Your feet are securely fastened to the pedals- providing you keep your feet
pointing forwards, they won't come off come hell or high water. (or at least
they shouldn't).
You can apply more force with clipless shoes and pedals than any other
shoe/pedal combination.
Depending on how much you're happy to spend, overall weight is lighter with
clipless than with other types. That is, providing you're happy to spend lots
of money- clipless has the _potential_ to weigh less. (there are light-weight
options for clipless).

Cons:
Cost more.
Depending on type of shoes, you may end up walking funny on normal ground,
and possibly slipping on hard, smooth surfaces.
Those shoes are effectively tied to the bike, in that you can't use them as
normal shoes. Even if they're "sneaker" style that let you walk normally, you
*shouldn't* because it wears the metal clip under the sole while on concrete.
You get constant negative comments from non-clipless users. Be prepaired to
put up with incessant nagging. But then again, if someone doesn't use
clipless, then they're not qualified to comment anyway.

My opinion: The cheapest, nastiest clipless pedals and shoes are a thousand
times better than the best of the 'toe strap' type pedal attachments.
I've ridden plain pedals, straps and clipless, and clipless wins every time.
Even on the mountain bike (actually, especially on the mountain bike).
--
Linux Registered User # 302622 <http://counter.li.org>[/QUOTE]

the other pro is that you can use specialised shoes with a rigid base. these are also more efficient in transferring your energy to the pedals. The con is not only the cost of the shoes too, but that you then have to take a second pair of shoes with you if you are commuting.

Joe Haller said:

What are the pro's and cons of clippless pedals ?

Compared to toe straps?

As the others say: Much nicer, safer, but expensive.

quote='Mike'Joe Haller said:

What are the pro's and cons of clippless pedals ?

Compared to toe straps?

As the others say: Much nicer, safer, but expensive.[/QUOTE]
Why can't we get away from calling them "clipless" - a '80s shorthand that has no use now? Why not 'clip in'? Who uses toeclips these days anyway, except those who stick with what came on a bike?

M"Trackies need 'em, no-one else does"H

"ProfTournesol" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

The con is not only the cost of the shoes too, but that you
then have to take a second pair of shoes with you if you are commuting.

You can leave your "work" shoes at work permanently, and wear your cycling
shoes to and fro.

Cheers
David M

"Joe Haller" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

What are the pro's and cons of clippless pedals ?

Are the dangerous to use, and do they take a long time to get used to ?

Regards,

Joey

Jesus H Christ. Not another clipless thread. After this, lets start the
helmet debate......and then we can start up another "Do you say Hi"
thread.......

"muppett" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:411a9723@news1...

Quoted message said:

Jesus H Christ. Not another clipless thread. After this, lets start the
helmet debate......and then we can start up another "Do you say Hi"
thread.......

You forgot the "stupid critical mass riders.." thread, the
"Magpie swooped me" thread and the "Which bike
should I buy" thread.. :-P

hippy

"hippy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"muppett" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:411a9723@news1...

Quoted message said:

Jesus H Christ. Not another clipless thread. After this, lets start the
helmet debate......and then we can start up another "Do you say Hi"
thread.......

You forgot the "stupid critical mass riders.." thread, the
"Magpie swooped me" thread and the "Which bike
should I buy" thread.. :-P

hippy

.... and my favourite - the pros and cons of top posting thread.

Dave.

mfhor said:

Why can't we get away from calling them "clipless" - a '80s shorthand that has no use now? Why not 'clip in'? Who uses toeclips these days anyway, except those who stick with what came on a bike?

M"Trackies need 'em, no-one else does"H

As I asked a few weeks ago,
"Why do we 'clip in and out of' clipless pedals" !?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

flyingdutch said:

As I asked a few weeks ago,
"Why do we 'clip in and out of' clipless pedals" !?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

"Flats" or "platform" pedals

"Clips 'n' straps"

SPDs, spuds, clipless, Look, Time, etc..
I don't know any other names for them..

What is a good, generic alternative to "clipless" then and how
do we get the cycling world to adopt it?

hippy

In article <[email hidden]>,

hippy said:

What is a good, generic alternative to "clipless" then

"click-in"?

Quoted message said:

and how do we get the cycling world to adopt it?

We claim that Shimano has secretly patented the term and is involved in
a conspiracy to stop us using it.

--
Shane Stanley

"mfhor" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Why can't we get away from calling them "clipless" - a '80s shorthand
that has no use now? Why not 'clip in'?

Skiers call their fastenings bindings, so try 'binding pedals'?

No, I guess it sounds like the bearings are stuffed.

Quoted message said:

M"Trackies need 'em, no-one else does"H

I belong to a touring club with over 200 members. Probably 30-50% of us use
clipless/clip in, and love them. Long mountain climbs and short hard MTB
pinches become much easier with the power of a strong back/up stroke to your
pedaling. You can do it all on regular clips & straps of course, even on
straight flat pedals, as some of our members do. But then Fred used to camp
out without a sleeping mat on concrete floors and rocky ground as well. Me I
like my Thermarest, and I like the efficiency of clipless. Call me soft I
guess.

Cheers
Peter

"? the Platypus {aka David Formosa}" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

hippy said:

"muppett" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:411a9723@news1...

Quoted message said:

Jesus H Christ. Not another clipless thread. After this, lets start

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

helmet debate......and then we can start up another "Do you say Hi"
thread.......

You forgot the "stupid critical mass riders.." thread, the
"Magpie swooped me" thread and the "Which bike
should I buy" thread.. :-P

"Chain oil"...."Cleaning my bike" and the infamous, trolls
favourite....."MTB or Road Bike"....BWAHAHAHAHA! 🙂

hippy said:

"muppett" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:411a9723@news1...

Quoted message said:

Jesus H Christ. Not another clipless thread. After this, lets start the
helmet debate......and then we can start up another "Do you say Hi"
thread.......

You forgot the "stupid critical mass riders.." thread, the
"Magpie swooped me" thread and the "Which bike
should I buy" thread.. :-P

Sounds like stuff to add to the FAQ.

--
Please excuse my spelling as I suffer from agraphia. See
http://dformosa.zeta.org.au/~dformosa/Spelling.html to find out more.
Free the Memes.

Joe Haller said:

What are the pro's and cons of clippless pedals ?

Are the dangerous to use, and do they take a long time to get used to ?

Regards,

Joey

I'm mainly a commuter, and I've gone back to using toe strap from
clip-less. I found carrying around an extra pair of shoes to be a hassle,
and the benefit it provided wasn't that great. I'd definitely use them if
I was racing or touring though.

hovil de cosa <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

I'm mainly a commuter, and I've gone back to using toe strap from
clip-less. I found carrying around an extra pair of shoes to be a hassle,
and the benefit it provided wasn't that great.

Depends on what type of shoes you need to wear at work. You can get some
fairly normal looking SPD shoes, lots of the mountain bike ones just look
like the "rugged" trainers you see a lot around the place and you can walk
in them no problem.

Graeme

Graeme said:

hovil de cosa <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

I'm mainly a commuter, and I've gone back to using toe strap from
clip-less. I found carrying around an extra pair of shoes to be a hassle,
and the benefit it provided wasn't that great.

Depends on what type of shoes you need to wear at work. You can get some
fairly normal looking SPD shoes, lots of the mountain bike ones just look
like the "rugged" trainers you see a lot around the place and you can walk
in them no problem.

Graeme

As a uni bum who has no plans of changing that any time soon, does
anyone know how to attach cleats to ugg-boots?

T