Cleats or flat pedals?

[Salty seadog]

I (skim)read a fairly comprehensive (hence the skimming) report into the pros and cons and advantages and disadvantages of both, the conclusion was that there was nothing realy in it weather you pull up with clipless or not.....

So go with what you like, i too use flats with pins, superstar nano's, works for me as i like the freedom of adjusting the foot position now and then to maintain comfort...

 

[Katherine]

No one has mentioned toe clips.
They're obviously out of fashion, but you can still get them. They're easy to get your feet in and out of, they keep your feet on the pedals, you can wriggle about as much as you want, easy to set up the pedals at junctions, quick to put your feet in as you set off and accelerate.

 

[Citius]

No one has mentioned toe clips.
They're obviously out of fashion, but you can still get them. They're easy to get your feet in and out of, they keep your feet on the pedals, you can wriggle about as much as you want, easy to set up the pedals at junctions, quick to put your feet in as you set off and accelerate.

Ha ha, good one

 

[PMarkey]

No one has mentioned toe clips.
They're obviously out of fashion, but you can still get them. They're easy to get your feet in and out of, they keep your feet on the pedals, you can wriggle about as much as you want, easy to set up the pedals at junctions, quick to put your feet in as you set off and accelerate.

I started out with toe clips and cleats (not the same I know but it was the way it was done before clipless) and you where never coming out of them when the straps where tightened , stopping at lights and junctions took forward planning as you had to reach down and uncinch the strap as you came to a stop then reverse the procedure when you set off again toppling over at the lights was a common occurrence

 

[Mrs M]

I had toe clips and straps on my "racer" when I was a kid.
Only time I've ever zoomed round a corner lying in on the ground still attached to my bike, feet and all.
Much prefer clip less .

 

[Apollonius]

For me, it is all about whether you want to be part of the bike or on it. Different people, different choices.

Coming to a tricky bit, you either make sure you are clipped in or make sure you are not. I feel more secure clipped in.

 

[Brandane]

For me, it is all about whether you want to be part of the bike or on it. Different people, different choices.

Coming to a tricky bit, you either make sure you are clipped in or make sure you are not. I feel more secure clipped in.

This is the bit I don't understand. How does having your feet attached to the pedals make you "part of the bike"? You don't need to have your hands secured to the bars, or your ar5e bolted to the seat - so why feet to pedals? I use flats as previously posted, and have NEVER had issues with feet slipping from pedals.

 

[OskarTennisChampion]

This is the bit I don't understand. How does having your feet attached to the pedals make you "part of the bike"? You don't need to have your hands secured to the bars, or your ar5e bolted to the seat - so why feet to pedals? I use flats as previously posted, and have NEVER had issues with feet slipping from pedals.

Nor I.
You would think there would be more potential of feet slipping off in muddy conditions.
Never had that problem,and the correct shoes goes a long way for it not to happen

 

[Dave7]

I put those 'double sided' pedals on........cleats on one side/flat on t'other. I did that so I could cycle to places e.g. NT houses, lock the bike and walk (in trainers). I got so used to cleats that, in the 12 months I've had them, I have never used the flats...........UNTIL NEXT WEEK........
My feet are getting very cold (through the cleats I think) so I am going to try the flats with good trainers on. TBH I'm not looking forward to it as I enjoy the cleats..........I will report back

 

[raleighnut]

Different bikes have got different types of pedals on here, I've got

1. Single sided flats (Track pedals)
2. Doublesided flats (Metal)
3. Double sided flats (Resin/plastic)
4. Single sided SPDs
5. Single sided SPDs with flats (Combi)

On different styles of bikes, horses for courses,
I've also got a set of Look pedals/cleats (that I was given) and was about to try them on one of my bikes but when I snapped my femur I still hadn't got around to fitting them, I had planned on trying them on the TT bike and doing a few '10s' as part of my training regime but hey-ho, maybe next year.

 

[MontyVeda]

This is the bit I don't understand. How does having your feet attached to the pedals make you "part of the bike"? You don't need to have your hands secured to the bars, or your ar5e bolted to the seat - so why feet to pedals? I use flats as previously posted, and have NEVER had issues with feet slipping from pedals.

It's just a figure of speech... if one prefers being clipped in, the 'part of the bike' phrase makes perfect sense. I suppose fans of flat pedals are happier being 'on' the bike rather than 'part of' it.

 

[Katherine]

I started out with toe clips and cleats (not the same I know but it was the way it was done before clipless) and you where never coming out of them when the straps where tightened , stopping at lights and junctions took forward planning as you had to reach down and uncinch the strap as you came to a stop then reverse the procedure when you set off again toppling over at the lights was a common occurrence

I had toe clips and straps on my "racer" when I was a kid.
Only time I've ever zoomed round a corner lying in on the ground still attached to my bike, feet and all.
Much prefer clip less .

I don't need to tighten the straps to keep my feet in. I can slip my feet in and out of the cage as necessary.

 

[PMarkey]

I don't need to tighten the straps to keep my feet in. I can slip my feet in and out of the cage as necessary.

The best way Katherine , I was more reminiscing of times gone by when so called "Real" cyclists (not that I ever was one ) used toe clips and cleats that tied you onto the pedals unlike clipless pedal systems these days
note: the cleats shown are a modern version the original cleats were half the size and quickly wore down when walked on .

Paul

 

[G3CWI]

If that feeling of being attached is so desirable I will have to market a range of clipless pedals and matching shoes for cars. Huge untapped market.

 

[Ian H]

I started out with toe clips and cleats (not the same I know but it was the way it was done before clipless) and you where never coming out of them when the straps where tightened , stopping at lights and junctions took forward planning as you had to reach down and uncinch the strap as you came to a stop then reverse the procedure when you set off again toppling over at the lights was a common occurrence

You mean shoe-plates (I have an unused set of plastic ones somewhere). I used to use them. They required some forethought on fixed-wheel.