Clipless Pedals - do many not use them?

The "Subject" line to my previous post was deleted.

It said "I love the Shimano M747's"

Ben <[email hidden]> wrote:

: Why not have the best of both worlds? Shimano and Nashbar both make a peddle with clips on one
: side and a gripping flat on the other side.

In my experience a good choice for urban riding. If there's a nice even stretch of a few hundred
meters I can clip in...

Clipless is just so comfortable... no hassle trying to place my foot on the right spot on the pedal,
it happens automatically... and pedalling is much nicer and smoother. (Just had first clipless day
on a bent 😉

BTW, summer is here, +20 C day temps. The sea is still almost completely frozen =)

--
Risto Varanka | helsinki.fi~rvarankaOpen ↗ varis at no spam please iki fi

Tom Sherman <[email hidden]> wrote:
: Try riding both bikes and trikes. On the bike you need to remember to unclip, while on the trike
: you need to remember to stay clipped in. 😉

Uh oh - and you ride them both? :-/

--
Risto Varanka | helsinki.fi~rvarankaOpen ↗ varis at no spam please iki fi

I had no idea there were so many perils of 'bent riding (I'm a newbie)! I am so glad I got to learn about 'leg suck' injuries on this forum. I am sitting here open-mouthed and horrified about the possibilities of serious injury on my HepCat! Once I get the brakes fixed (now all the cables are messed up), I am going to put my clipless pedals on this baby and just get used to it. I can't help but think that getting started - I mean going from 0-speed might be a little more difficult at first with clipless? I'm having enough trouble with plain pedals!

I like long rides, so I think it makes sense for me. I never thought of going over a bump and really getting mangled...My answer is I'm going clipless at the first opportunity!

[email hidden] (cbb) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I have two bikes, one with and one without clipless shoes. I havn't put them on the second one
because I like to let others try out the BikeE. I find I have a difficult time keeping my feet
steady on the pedals without the clipless. I think I have learned to spin with the clipless which
pulls my feet slightly off the platform pedals. After riding some time with clipless I don't even
think about unclipping, it just happens. If you will put many miles on your bike I definately
suggest getting some good clipless pedals. Craig Optima Baron

I do put many miles on my bikes. They are my primary form of transportation. Have been riding since
1990 and average around 6,000 miles a year.

I have tried clipless pedals. For me and the type of riding I do, I couldn't see any advantage. I
like to ride to work and not have to change my shoes when I get there. I like to make frequent stops
and explore the surrounding area on foot when I ride my MTB. I ride at a moderate pace taking in the
sights and sounds of the woods or the rail trail. I'm not concerned about performance, average
speeds, etc.

If you are concerned with improving your performance, speed, etc, then by all means use them. IMHO,
they're just not a neccesity for every rider.

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (R.White) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

>
> If Clipless are not used, why?
>
> Thanks!
>

Cause I've always had this urge to see what a mangled leg feels like.

Here we go again with the scare tactics.

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

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (R.White) wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

>
> If Clipless are not used, why?
>
> Thanks!
>

Cause I've always had this urge to see what a mangled leg feels like.

Here we go again with the scare tactics.

Or as I prefer, the REALITY tactics.

The reality for me is 78,000 miles of riding in 13 years and no mangled legs. I must be doing
something wrong.

I don't wear clipless or straps. Simple platform pedals.

The primary reasons are

1) I use my bike for all my commuting, including one mile hops. I don't want to have to
change shoes.

2) Since I ride mostly in town, it's a lot of start/stop and quick reactions, and I feel like I
could screw up in unclipping.

3) My right foot is about 20 degrees out of horizontal alignment. I don't know of any pedals that
adjust their clip angle to compensate for that.

Other people have recommended straps to me, but honestly, they also just seem like a pain. I don't
care much about how fast I go, and I like to keep my riding simple.

--
David Luecke Ridin' a RANS Vivo (wahoo!) Merritt Island, Florida USA

John B <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

R.White said:

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

Quoted message said:

>
> If Clipless are not used, why?
>
> Thanks!
>

Cause I've always had this urge to see what a mangled leg feels like.

Here we go again with the scare tactics.

With a trike its hardly "scare tactics".

Test it out one day. And get ready convert your trike to a wheelcahir.

Well since I'm not using a trike and do not forsee myself purchasing one, what's the point?

Give me a GOOD reason why, after already trying them, that I need them for the type of riding I do?

R.White said:

John B <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

R.White said:

MLB <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...
> >
> > If Clipless are not used, why?
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
>
>
> Cause I've always had this urge to see what a mangled leg feels like.

Here we go again with the scare tactics.

With a trike its hardly "scare tactics".

Test it out one day. And get ready convert your trike to a wheelcahir.

Well since I'm not using a trike and do not forsee myself purchasing one, what's the point?

Give me a GOOD reason why, after already trying them, that I need them for the type of
riding I do?

You can run over dogs without falling off.

John B

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

Quoted message said:

"Can't place your name with a face as there were many Easy Racer bikes there:-)"

LOL... I was thinking the same about you Ed. Did you receive Ted Willow's .gif? Are you standing
in the middle with your helmet over your heart between 2 guys clad in green?

I am 4 to the right of Wo (looking at the picture) in the black ERRC velvet jacket (Wo brought for
me all the way from Oregon). The jacket has a great embroidered picture of an American flag on the
back with a 'bent in the middle of it. You may have seen me "modeling" it for Wo at Coaches. I
seem to remember you sitting next to me on the porch towards the end of the evening (?)... I know
what you mean, there wasn't time to put all the faces with names. Tom Blum came up to me and
introduced himself (such a neat guy); I was glad about that since I probably wouldn't have taken
the initiative. Maybe "next time" (at some point) we should all introduce ourselves with name,
email name, and locale. I must remember to suggest this to Regis "next time"; remind me, will you?

I hope there will be a "next time"... that was great fun! My vote for the next celebrity will be
Fast Freddie! As far as I know, the famous Gardner Martin, Wo, and "Captain Freedom" have
participated in the Moonlight rides; who will be the next "celebrity rider"?

Yes that's me! I did sit next to you at Coaches before we took off for our return trip to
Istachatta. What a great time!

I agree that Fast Freddie would be a "logical" choice for the next "celebrity" rider. I did have the
pleasure of riding with Gardner Martin when he came to Florida in 2002 for Thanksgiving. What a down
to earth guy:-)

Hopefully, we'll ride many a times again!

Edward Wong Orlando, FL

I use clipless, Shimano SPD M324's. I like to think I'm using my muscles to spin the pedals instead
of holding my feet on and spinning the pedals. Also, ever try to pedal with just one foot without
being clipped in? For slow speed manuvering there's nothing like pedaling with one foot and dabbing
with the other.

Rod

Ed~ That is so cool. I remember reading about Gardner's "Noon"light Ride and seeing your name and
picture in the article. I would really like to meet Gardner. I've only spoken to him on the phone.
He walked me through a fix on my GRR... can you believe it? I don't know a thing about the mechanics
of a bike! He was very patient and said "we're going to make a mechanic out of you today"...I went
to my bike with phone and wrench in hand and by darned that chain never came off again.
--
Chere ~ GRR Sanibel, FL / Cumberland, MD

In article <[email hidden]>, "David says...

Quoted message said:

I don't wear clipless or straps. Simple platform pedals.

The primary reasons are

1) I use my bike for all my commuting, including one mile hops. I don't want to have to change
shoes.

2) Since I ride mostly in town, it's a lot of start/stop and quick reactions, and I feel like I
could screw up in unclipping.

3) My right foot is about 20 degrees out of horizontal alignment. I don't know of any pedals that
adjust their clip angle to compensate for that.

Nothing wrong with not using clipless. I use platform pedals on my around town and commuting bike
also, and would never think of bothering with clipless for such short trips.

BUT, if you find yourself going on 20 mile rides on the weekends, you really should give them a try.
It really does provide a sea change in the way the bike rides and feels. And as for the angle
alignment problem, my feet may be almost as bad. I solve the problem with pedal extenders and Frogs.
You just mount the clips a bit rotated in, and then you can rotate your foot out as much as you like
and still stay clipped.

Steve Christensen Midland, MI

R.White said:

Well since I'm not using a trike and do not forsee myself purchasing one...

No offense, but you need some serious psychological help. 😉

Tom Sherman - Quad Cities USA (Illinois side) Earth Cycles Dragonflyer Trike

Rod Dabe said:

I use clipless, Shimano SPD M324's. I like to think I'm using my muscles to spin the pedals
instead of holding my feet on and spinning the pedals. Also, ever try to pedal with just one foot
without being clipped in? For slow speed manuvering there's nothing like pedaling with one foot
and dabbing with the other.

Clipless pedals are invaluable if you have a knee that is so sore that you can barely walk on it.
I rode a hilly metric century in west central Indiana and I basically pedaled up all the hills
using one leg.

Tom Sherman - Various HPV's Quad Cities USA (Illinois side)

"PreciousBbird" skrev...

Quoted message said:

I had no idea there were so many perils of 'bent riding (I'm a newbie)! I am so glad I got to
learn about 'leg suck' injuries on this forum. I am sitting here open-mouthed and horrified about
the possibilities of serious injury on my HepCat! Once I get the brakes fixed (now all the cables
are messed up), I am going to put my clipless pedals on this baby and just get used to it. I can't
help but think that getting started - I mean going from 0-speed might be a little more difficult
at first with clipless? I'm having enough trouble with plain pedals!

I like long rides, so I think it makes sense for me. I never thought of going over a bump and
really getting mangled...My answer is I'm going clipless at the first opportunity!

I wouldnt be too worried. Its kinda like going over your handlebars and cracking your skull on a DF.
It happens and if it happens you're in trouble but its a very rare thing.

To start just make it a habit to have it in a low gear. Clip into one pedal in the 10-11 o'clock
postion and push off with that foot. You will have enough momentum to get clipped in and the low
gear will let you accelerate without too much wobble. Remember to gear down when you're coming
to a stop.

Clipless also lets you spin better. Above 80 rpm will be hard without them IMHO.

M.

Mikael Seierup said:

... I wouldnt be too worried. Its kinda like going over your handlebars and cracking your skull on
a DF. It happens and if it happens you're in trouble but its a very rare thing....

Been there, done that twice. The first time I have no recollection of anything about the accident or
2 hours afterwards, and the second was when a child ran out in front of a parked truck in the middle
of a block. (The child was relatively uninjured, but the fork on my Peugeot was bent and I received
a concussion). [1]

[1] Why I prefer a SWB recumbent when I am riding in an area with a lot of idiot pedestrians, e.g.
college students.

Tom Sherman - Various HPV's Quad Cities USA (Illinois side)

"and take our Ginko"

Uh, you mean "Gecko" here, right? I think I saw you on TV... :-)

Quoted message said:

Try riding both bikes and trikes. On the bike you need to remember to unclip, while on the trike
you need to remember to stay clipped in. 😉

Years ago, with the first blush of youth yet illuminating my face (or wuz that road-rash?), I rode a
street motorsickle with the brake on the right and the shifter on the left. My race motorsickle was
the opposite!

Quoted message said:

Test it out one day. And get ready convert your trike to a wheelcahir.

My bro bought a trike. He rode it about 50 feet, reg'ler flat pedals, got leg-suck, had a knee
operation and is in a wheel chair. MAYbe he'll be able to ride agin, maybe not. But it will
always hurt.