Clipless pedals...do I really need them?

[Webbo2]

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

In 44 years of cycling I’ve never been on a ride that ended up in Museum or Supermarket. Cafe or pub maybe and so far I’ve always managed to walk out of the pub.

 

[Webbo2]

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!

Have you ever walked 20 miles home.😱

 

[Oldhippy]

Ah, I just amble about on a bike as transport and days out and the odd tour so end up in lots of places.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

In 44 years of cycling I’ve never been on a ride that ended up in Museum or Supermarket. Cafe or pub maybe and so far I’ve always managed to walk out of the pub.

What have you been doing for 44 years? 😉

 

[Chief Broom]

Have you ever walked 20 miles home.😱

Ha! no i havent and the probability is unlikely, my bike is well maintained and always carry tools/tubes/spares. In the Highlands it can be tricky getting a phone signal and i dont know many people to call if i needed to. I reckon a passing farmer would let me sling the bike in the back of his pickup but all in all i feel more secure knowing i could walk home. I posted this question [clipless for walking] a while ago and was told even recessed clipless shoes wouldnt be comfortable or start falling to bits after a few miles. https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/advice-and-recommendations-on-going-clipless.294072/

 

[esoxlucius]

Back in the day before I wore cycling specific clothing I had a few instances of my feet slipping off the pedals and I'd hit my ankle bone on the crank arm. It hurt...a lot!

That all stopped when I started wearing proper cycling shoes with proper pedals. No more ankle injuries. No more constant repositioning my feet either. They gave me more confidence to push hard on the pedals, and pull of course if you want to use the upstroke.

The only downside of actually being attached to your bike is if you need to clip out in literally a split second. It can be tricky. I'm ok now but that only came with experience for me.

 

[PaulSB]

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?

All my bikes are clipless so I'm obviously a believer.

Will you get more power when climbing? I think the answer is yes but not because of being able to pull etc.

As I see it if I'm pushing hard on a climb, especially if out of the saddle, I can't put 100% into the down stroke for fear of slipping. With my feet clipped in I know this isn't going to happen. Knowing my feet are secure on the pedal makes me confident to give 100% to each down stroke.

I don't like the idea of my foot slipping off the pedal on a 15% gradient.

 

[Webbo2]

Ha! no i havent and the probability is unlikely, my bike is well maintained and always carry tools/tubes/spares. In the Highlands it can be tricky getting a phone signal and i dont know many people to call if i needed to. I reckon a passing farmer would let me sling the bike in the back of his pickup but all in all i feel more secure knowing i could walk home. I posted this question [clipless for walking] a while ago and was told even recessed clipless shoes wouldnt be comfortable or start falling to bits after a few miles. https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/advice-and-recommendations-on-going-clipless.294072/

I’m sure a good pair of Mountainbike shoes are good for a few miles. Pair these with some SPD pedals are you’ll be fine.

 

[kingrollo]

Probably the biggest performance upgrade I ever made ...many years ago.

Bad question to ask on cycle chat. See the various threads, on electric shifting, varia radar, cycling safety cameras. - all get a massive thumbs downs from cycle chatters.

As you have said/ implied nearly all club riders use some form of clipless.

If you buy used the cost isn't massive - if you're curious I really would give it a go.

 

[mustang1]

It's a feeling.

Also depends on your age. If you're not going to recover quickly from a fall, then stick with normal pedals. If you can recover quickly, the it worth giving clueless a shot.

 

[Chief Broom]

Quite a few youtube vids that show there isnt any performance increase compared to flat shoes. I dont doubt that the security of the riders feet allow confident stomping of hills which could seem like a mechanical advantage. Each to there own of course but for me toe clips give that snug/secure feel whilst giving me choice of shoe relevant to my needs.

 

[Webbo2]

Quite a few youtube vids that show there isnt any performance increase compared to flat shoes. I dont doubt that the security of the riders feet allow confident stomping of hills which could seem like a mechanical advantage. Each to there own of course but for me toe clips give that snug/secure feel whilst giving me choice of shoe relevant to my needs.

I bet there’s a few YouTube videos saying there no performance advantage between Pennyfarthing and a modern 12 speed carbonfibre bike. But hey ho.

 

[davidphilips]

Need them no, If you are going clipless consider SPD pedals thats my choice cleats seem to last forever and you can walk normal without big plastic cleats on the bottom of your shoes, advantages are many if in the wet or dureing high cadence no chance of your shoe slipping of pedal and if you train then you will be a faster cyclist, hard to pull back after down stroke to minimise dead spot without clipless or to pull up when out of the saddle.
Just useing a bike for a trip to the shop a mile or two away perhaps no benift but for long cycles great and if you do long or fast cycles you may find when you start useing clipless its hard not to see the benifit?

 

[presta]

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

My special cycling shoes were Stead & Simpson's Hobos until they stopped making them. I've never found anything else as good.

I'd toyed with the idea of using clipless at one time but as it turned out I've managed fine without.

I decided to give clipless a try, but I couldn't find any shoes that were suitable so I gave up looking.

 

[Mike_P]

Do they make hills easier?

Slightly as yout feet going upwards add to the rotation of the cranks. I use SPDs as otherwise I invariably find a foot and a pedal become separated, next thing the pedal thumping me. You can get an adaptor to use them on 3 fixing hole shoes.