Clip in peddles - the pros and cons

[dodd82]

Hi all

There's been some discussion about clip in peddles on the daily commuting thread, but thought it might be best to ask this in a new thread.

It seems most people on here, if not all, are positive about them.

Does anyone have any stats as to the difference they made (or didn't make) to their speed and journey times?

Logically, the 360 degree contribution to peddling should make a difference.

Also, as a complete amateur, would someone mind explaining exactly how you clip in and clip out?

I'm probably going to buy a new bike soon and would appreciate your advice on this - my commute involves a fair few places where stopping is par for the course!

Thanks

 

[HovR]

Whilst I do find the obvious ability to 'pull up' on the pedal stroke useful, I don't do this consistently through my pedaling action like some riders suggest. Instead I mainly find this useful when climbing steep hills or during sharp acceleration. For me the main advantages of clipless pedals isn't the speed increase (I have got faster since using them, how much of that was down to fitness and how much down to the pedals is up for debate).

For me the main advantage is just being attached to the bike without the hassle of leaning down to tighten/loosen toe straps etc. This is a massive advantage for me in the wet, no need to worry about foot position or your feet sliding around on flats. Also, in the event of a rough gear shift (or even a snapping chain) causing the pedals to 'jump forward', you're feet aren't going to slip off the pedals causing you to possibly lose your balance or land on the cross bar!

Clipless pedals also make bunny-hopping a road bike incredibly easy, which is surprisingly useful for dodging potholes etc.

This video should help you with how to use most clipless pedals:


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmwHqcFlOI4

 

[Lee_M]

not sure I go any faster but I dont have to think about where my feet are, they just are.

Without clip ins its one more thing to have to deal with

 

[Kies]

i find using normal pedals on bumpy potholed roads a nightmare. my feet move around and i feel very vunerable. i also found my old knee injury plays up more on flat pedals.
with clipless, my foot is held in the right position, hence no knee pain or foot slippage

 

[simon the viking]

My main advantage is that my feet don't slip in the wet, getting more power down is an advantage but as I'm not racing to work (I do scalp the odd chav on a BSO though) I'm not really that fussed about that. Pros definitely out way cons, wished I'd gone clipless sooner

 

[3outof5]

Yes, despite my mishap this morning,

Erm, you know that question I asked about clips and 'does everyone fall off?' - well I did.....

,
I think they are definitely going to allow me to improve my times more easily. I just need to crack that stopping thing.......

 

[gaz]

Clipping in and out is easy once you know how. Depending on your pedal system, a different technique may be required.

Some will say a pro is that you can pull up on the back stroke. Whilst this is possible. 99.9% of users that use clipless pedals do not pull up on the back stroke for the majority of their pedaling. What it does allow you, is to de-weight your foot on the upstroke as your foot is attached to the pedal it will just follow around.

 

[Jezston]

Only time I've ever fallen off due to clipless pedals is because of my foot coming out unexpectedly, not failing to come out.

For your first clipin I'd recommend going MTB style like Crank Bros (my personal fave as they are very easy to get out of), SPD or Time ATAKs. Road clipin is pretty harcore - moving up from eggbeaters to Look Keos was like learning all over again - they are pretty hardcore in comparison.

 

[gaz]

Only time I've ever fallen off due to clipless pedals is because of my foot coming out unexpectedly, not failing to come out.

For your first clipin I'd recommend going MTB style like Crank Bros (my personal fave as they are very easy to get out of), SPD or Time ATAKs. Road clipin is pretty harcore - moving up from eggbeaters to Look Keos was like learning all over again - they are pretty hardcore in comparison.

You need an actually technique with road pedals, eggbeaters are just stamp your foot down and you're in. you need to hook the top of the pedal with the front of the cleat and then just push down. When done properly it's pretty darn quick, less than a second from pushing off to being clipped in and applying the power.

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YspHE9gsyqE

 

[jarlrmai]

You also get to learn the clip in threshold, where you can pedal at a certain pressure and not clip in

Say approaching a roundabout I'll work out the flow on to the roundabout, change gear to a really easy spinning gear, clip out and keep the clipped out foot hooked in now if I need to gain a little speed I can spin without clipping in and if I need to stop I can put my foot down then when I get to go onto the roundabout I can clip back in and change up the gear.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Clipping in and out is easy once you know how. Depending on your pedal system, a different technique may be required.

Some will say a pro is that you can pull up on the back stroke. Whilst this is possible. 99.9% of users that use clipless pedals do not pull up on the back stroke for the majority of their pedaling. What it does allow you, is to de-weight your foot on the upstroke as your foot is attached to the pedal it will just follow around.

Indeed, and I think the lifting of the foot on the upstroke is one of the main reasons clipless riders find flats awkward, particularly in the wet. That lifting quickly becomes part of your riding style.

 

[campbellab]

Mountain Bike perspective: http://www.bikejames.com/strength/which-muscles-are-really-used-during-the-pedal-stroke/ http://www.bikejames.com/strength/im-really-not-anti-clipless-pedals-im-pro-flat-pedals/

I find the idea of driving down with the leg more natural than trying to pull up with the leg (as much as cycling can mimic natural movement!)

 

[SomethingLikeThat]

If you get SPDs or something similar don't make the mistake of not loosening them up before using them, by loosening the adjustment bolt. This makes them much easier to get out of, especially to someone new to the technique.

 

[G3CWI]

Does anyone have any stats as to the difference they made (or didn't make) to their speed and journey times?

The nice thing about discussion of cycling things is that facts seldom get in the way. Even the simplest of matters such as how to maintain a bike chain cause endless discussion. Bikes have had chains for well over 100 years. In contrast clip less pedal systems are relatively new so I can't imagine you will get too many objective answers. But let's see!

 

[Hitchington]

I would highly recommend them for long journeys. For shooting round town and going to work I've put flat pedals back on my hybrid. My tourer has clipless.