Clipless pedals...do I really need them?

[Sloth]

Thanks for the helpful replies guys
I have considered MTB ones as a good compromise that will still let me walk in the shoes if I want or need to. Perhaps I need to look into that option again.

I have never really felt unstable or in fear of my feet slipping off the pedals, not even up hill, as my pedals have good grippy little spikes on.

Lots to consider though so thanks again.

 

[a.twiddler]

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

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

It might be just a coincidence in name, but Shoezone sell a range of shoes called Hobos. Inexpensive elasticated slip ons with a fairly thick sole which I've been using for general purpose and cycling. Whether there's any connection I don't know, but they work for me.

 

[fossyant]

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

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

Showing your age there.

 

[chriswoody]

When I bought my Gravel bike second hand in 2019, it had some DMR V12 flat pedals on. I vowed to swap them across to clipless because that's what I'd been using up till then on my other bikes. As time went by though I realised that I was really enjoying the flat pedals, they gave me so much more confidence off-road. I began to realise that I didn't need clipless at all and having flat pedals was no disadvantage when it came to steep hills or riding singletrack. I now use flats on all my bikes and when I'm riding longer than a couple of kilometres, I wear my Five Tens, otherwise I can use normal shoes with no bother. On longer multi day tours, I really appreciate having the Five Tens because they are super comfy for walking and cycling in.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Oh, yes, of course you need them. There's nothing as off-putting as cycling along with flats and you look down and discover that the shoe-on-pedal symmetry between your two feet is out. It takes me up to a few kilometers to get it right and very hard concentration to try and not move my feet on the pedals, once I have them perfectly in sync. Not to mention the constant looking down to see if it is still OK or needs some micro adjustment.

 

[fossyant]

Oh, yes, of course you need them. There's nothing as off-putting as cycling along with flats and you look down and discover that the shoe-on-pedal symmetry between your two feet is out. It takes me up to a few kilometers to get it right and very hard concentration to try and not move my feet on the pedals, once I have them perfectly in sync. Not to mention the constant looking down to see if it is still OK or needs some micro adjustment.

And the wear on the crank arm from shoe rubbing ! Or the fact it looks like your bike has paddles instead of pedals

 

[cyberknight]

As @Chief Broom says theres nothing in it . i feel more connected but i do use mtb shoes on road bikes

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVLfqjcTbnU

 

[steveindenmark]

All my pedals are double sided. Flat on one side, clipless on the other. It gives you the choice.

 

[Bristolian]

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.

See, I'm 71 and tend not to recover quickly and that is why I changed to clipless. Before I changed I rode with flat pedals and trainers then one day I came a cropper whilst cocking my leg over as I pulled away from our house. Left foot on pedal at the top of the stroke, push down and use the momentum to left the right leg and get seated - my normal routine - but this one time left foot slipped off the front of the pedal and went under the bottom bracket. Said momentum caused the bike to run me over and I ended up with chainring marks and cuts from my right ankle to inner thigh. This doesn't/can't happen when the foot is clipped in at the start.

 

[Dogtrousers]

You don't need them.

If you try them, you might like them. Or you might not.

 

[mustang1]

See, I'm 71 and tend not to recover quickly and that is why I changed to clipless. Before I changed I rode with flat pedals and trainers then one day I came a cropper whilst cocking my leg over as I pulled away from our house. Left foot on pedal at the top of the stroke, push down and use the momentum to left the right leg and get seated - my normal routine - but this one time left foot slipped off the front of the pedal and went under the bottom bracket. Said momentum caused the bike to run me over and I ended up with chainring marks and cuts from my right ankle to inner thigh. This doesn't/can't happen when the foot is clipped in at the start.

This is true, the foot can slip off as happened to you. But if you were clipped in, something else could have happened: maybe you lose balance and fall on the side that you are already clipped in and then unable to clip out in time before the inevitable fall.

I wonder if grippier normal pedals/shoes combination would have prevented the your foot from slipping off in the first place.

Glad you're alright though, happy riding!

 

[Sharky]

Yes/no

About 10 years ago, I was riding our evening 10, when swissssssh, I was passed by a local rider, an expro, wearing "sandals" !

He'd forgotten to pack his racing shoes and finished with a time I could only dream of.


Btw, if you look closely at my avatar picture, you'll see that I'm not wearing racing shoes either. It was at the time and still is, my 2nd fastest ever 25 mile time.

 

[kingrollo]

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.

There's YouTube videos saying pretty much anything.

I'd say the fact that most cyclists that cover any regular miles use some sort of clipless pedal is a better indicator.

 

[Dan Lotus]

Do they make hills easier?

I wouldn't say easier, but in my own experience, I have the option of pulling on the upstroke as well, which I gather in theory you can do with flat pedals but I clearly don't have the skill.

Additionally I know (As long as I have it set up correctly initially) that my foot and therefore knee will always be in the correct position, so less likely to suffer any knee injuries as a result.

I put off riding clipped in for ages, and although I don't use it on the town bike, I use it everywhere else, off road included.

So in summary with regards to your question, no you don't need them, but it could be beneficial.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

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 have a pair of Giro VR90. I regularly walk round in them after a ride, cleaning the bike, going back and forth to the garage and doing various bits. I reckon this can easily be up to a couple of hours. Never had an issue with comfort or damage to cleats or the sole in about 7 years of owning them.