Clipless pedals...do I really need them?

[midlandsgrimpeur]

but I personally don't think "pulling up" on the pedals is really a thing though

You are right, it's not really. The majority of pedalling force goes through the downstroke.

I think clipless are much more stable but I ride a road bike quite a lot and climb out of the saddle, so it is relevant for me.

I think they can help with keeping the whole chain from hip to foot better aligned as well. I used to find flats would have my feet moving all over the place which gave me knee issues. Clipless stopped that.

 

[fossyant]

Only us cool dudes have clipless. I don't ride without them on any bike. Too cool for flats.

 

[fossyant]

The added advantage is with clipless the shoes are more cycling specific, rather than walking specific, so generally more comfortable for cycling.

 

[Oldhippy]

Equally, they aren't very practical for walking around a museum or supermarket on a leisure trip.

 

[Sloth]

I currently ride with flat pedals with spikes on, and a pair of Merrill walking shoes (not boots) which have a fairly stiff sole and not too much flex.
I don't have a problem, other than wondering if I'd get more power up hills with clipless?

 

[Chief Broom]

I wouldnt go clipless because in the event of a major mechanical i would have to walk home possibly 20 miles over the hills. Anyhow i like toe clips and straps, feet feel secure and theyre easy to get in and out of, also i like the retro vibe!

 

[mickle]

Nope. Just a shoe which doesn't slip on your pedal.

 

[Profpointy]

The added advantage is with clipless the shoes are more cycling specific, rather than walking specific, so generally more comfortable for cycling.

I'd see that as a disadvantage, albeit one I put up with. I dislike needing "special shoes" for an activity, particularly something as basic as cycling

 

[Profpointy]

Equally, they aren't very practical for walking around a museum or supermarket on a leisure trip.

The mountain bike 2-bolt type are fine as the cleat is recessed in the sole. On occasions where I'd forgotten to leave tidy shoes at work it really was not a problem wearing cycle shoes in the office. Admittedly my black leather Dromartis could pass for a pair of Oxfords

Clippy-clop 3 bolt "road" shoes would be less satisfactory, which is why I went for thr other type

 

[Punkawallah]

I don’t know about ‘clipless’, but I do appreciate the big, flat Wellgo MTB pedals with little ‘studs’ on the flats. Plenty of ‘stamp’ space when going op a hill, and ‘grippy’ too.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

SInce I got pedals with spike/studs on then then I have not had problems with my shoes sliding off the pedals

and I could ride in walking shoes or trainers if I wanted

Only problem with that is that if I used trainers all the time then I suspect the softish soles would get wrecked by the spikes on the pedals

my wife got me some cycling shoes that are designed for flat pedals and have a hard sole so the spike don;t cut it up at all but still grip

 

[Punkawallah]

SInce I got pedals with spike/studs on then then I have not had problems with my shoes sliding off the pedals

and I could ride in walking shoes or trainers if I wanted

Only problem with that is that if I used trainers all the time then I suspect the softish soles would get wrecked by the spikes on the pedals

my wife got me some cycling shoes that are designed for flat pedals and have a hard sole so the spike don;t cut it up at all but still grip

I wear Lonsdale trainers for the bikes, and ride with ‘rat trap’ pedals, and Wellgo flats. Neither have broken through my trainers.

 

[kynikos]

Flats for me with any old trainer/boot/shoe in the dry but a pair of five tens in the wet - they're very grippy and I don't get any slip.

 

[a.twiddler]

I suppose if you want to feel at one with your bike it might give a psychological boost. I used to ride with toeclips and straps for years (no cleats though) and in some situations they gave a sensation of oneness. With riding folders, and riding more all round bikes I began to find that I could manage just as well without them. As my riding became less road orientated, and I tended to ride alone anyway it was just more relaxed to ride without, in ordinary shoes. No worries about getting a foot down in a hurry, and most flat pedals have some serrations or pins on to maintain friction. I'd toyed with the idea of using clipless at one time but as it turned out I've managed fine without.

 

[teeonethousand]

I am same sort of cyclist as OP and I have spiked pedals and flat sole cycling shoes and I don't think I am missing out.

For me even the tiniest risk of falling off because I can't/didnt unclip in time is not worth it. I am at a time of life where I would be angry with myself for robbing myself of quality time while injured/healing.

( I am sure if you cycle for performance then it's different. )