A good reason to not use clip-in (clipless) pedals [Video warning: Nasty arm break]

[MiK1138]

i have only had 2 clip-less moments 1st one was within 30 mins of fitting pedals(standard) the second was as a result of pulling in on the right hand side of a local lane while instinctively clipping out of my left hand pedal (senior Moment)

 

[Citius]

OK, I will bite. Can you point me out to where this has been discussed and proven? It is certainly not my experience, clipped in gets me more watts and crucially helps me pedal 'in circles', which maintains the power throughout the revolution of each pedal rotation.

I'd be interested to see what evidence you have that 'clipless gets you more watts'. All the studies I have seen suggest there is no real benefit in terms of power production when comparing riding clipped in to riding on flats. There are benefits to riding clipped in - but improved power isn't one of them.

 

[Milkfloat]

I'd be interested to see what evidence you have that 'clipless gets you more watts'. All the studies I have seen suggest there is no real benefit in terms of power production when comparing riding clipped in to riding on flats.

Take a look here - https://wattbike.com/uk/blog/post/whats_in_a_pedal_revolution_wattbike_has_the_answer

I notice that on a power meter - my pattern is relatively good (between peanut and elite), when concentrating on my pedal stroke (elite) my average watts go up and can be sustained longer. I also have a slight bias on my right leg due to sciatica on my left side which I am trying to overcome. It could just be that by concentrating on my pedal stroke I subconsciously put in more effort, but then I would expect endurance to suffer which it does not. For me - I find it a lot harder to pedal in circles on flats (the pesky times I forget to take my SPDs to the gym), again here even if I am concentrating, I cannot get the optimal pattern. I do not consciously ever pull up on the pedals at all.

The whole pedaling in circles concept does make sense as we all know it is easier to maintain revolutions than it is to constantly stop/start have to provide extra power etc.

Am I missing anything?

 

[CUBE CRD]

I think the OP may be onto something here.

2; refusing to use the start ramp built in the front garden for the start of my commute. The wife is particularly happy about this one as she doesn't have to get up 10 minutes earlier every day to do the countdown to start time on the ramp.

 

[Drago]

I'd be interested to see what evidence you have that 'clipless gets you more watts'. All the studies I have seen suggest there is no real benefit in terms of power production when comparing riding clipped in to riding on flats. There are benefits to riding clipped in - but improved power isn't one of them.

You misread his words. He actually said clueless gets you more chicks.

 

[Citius]

Am I missing anything?

I would say you are missing a fair chunk of peer-reviewed science and numerous other studies, which suggest otherwise...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18418807
http://journals.humankinetics.com/j...hangeswithincreasingworkloadatconstantcadence
http://roadcyclinguk.com/riding/bike-fitting-the-myth-of-the-upstroke.html#wi4EXurIPVAEELKf.97
http://www.bikejames.com/strength/the-1-lie-about-pedaling-technique/
http://www.bikejames.com/strength/why-pulling-up-doesnt-add-to-your-pedal-stroke-power/

 

[MontyVeda]

the whole pedalling in circles concept is hard to avoid with both pedals going around a single central point of rotation... i ride on flats and can't help but pedal in circles.

 

[Davidc]

the whole pedalling in circles concept is hard to avoid with both pedals going around a single central point of rotation... i ride on flats and can't help but pedal in circles.

I use clips (after having a torsional injury to my knee from clipless) and find the same thing.

it's something to do with the cranks staying the same length as they go round. If those were made of flexible rubber so they stretched and twisted under load then that should provide non-circular motion, if required.

The only clear advantage of both clipless and clips is that they help with avoiding the application of a down force from the off-load leg on the rising pedal, which acts against the wanted driving force on the descending pedal.

 

[screenman]

the whole pedalling in circles concept is hard to avoid with both pedals going around a single central point of rotation... i ride on flats and can't help but pedal in circles.

That is your feet going around in circles, does not mean they are doing anything useful all the way round.

 

[Citius]

The only clear advantage of both clipless and clips is that they help with avoiding the application of a down force from the off-load leg on the rising pedal, which acts against the wanted driving force on the descending pedal.

Ironically, that is exactly the technique that track riders use to slow down (and they're always clipped in)

 

[Milkfloat]

I would say you are missing a fair chunk of peer-reviewed science and numerous other studies, which suggest otherwise...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18418807
http://journals.humankinetics.com/j...hangeswithincreasingworkloadatconstantcadence
http://roadcyclinguk.com/riding/bike-fitting-the-myth-of-the-upstroke.html#wi4EXurIPVAEELKf.97
http://www.bikejames.com/strength/the-1-lie-about-pedaling-technique/
http://www.bikejames.com/strength/why-pulling-up-doesnt-add-to-your-pedal-stroke-power/

I don't disagree with any of these studies - they all claim that 'pulling up' is not good. That is very different from pedaling in circles and maintaining constant rotation. If anyone buys clipless to 'pull up' then I agree they are totally misguided. So I think we are talking about the same thing. Now 'poo scaping' is something I think works - which incidentally help you pedal in circles.

 

[Citius]

I don't disagree with any of these studies - they all claim that 'pulling up' is not good. That is very different from pedaling in circles and maintaining constant rotation. If anyone buys clipless to 'pull up' then I agree they are totally misguided. So I think we are talking about the same thing. Now 'poo scaping' is something I think works - which incidentally help you pedal in circles.

Those studies show that power is mainly produced on the downstroke - and that pulling-up and the 'scraping' - and even the 'pedalling in circles' thing - are largely ineffective in terms of power production.

 

[MiK1138]

the whole pedalling in circles concept is hard to avoid with both pedals going around a single central point of rotation... i ride on flats and can't help but pedal in circles.

Ahhh you obviously dont have a square tapered BB

 

[DCLane]

The rider is poorly pushed off; he then wobbles rather than pushing down hard to get moving, then falls badly.

 

[Berk on a Bike]

Jose Been the cycling commentator tweeted the video this morning (with an x-ray of the damage - nasty) and also photos of two other riders who had problems starting in the same race. One of those hit the deck too. One has to wonder if it's the clipping in that's the problem.