Clipless pedals...do I really need them?

[Dogtrousers]

Clipless pedals can make hills harder. Sort of.

More specifically, they can make hill starts harder.

Typically when you start you want to get clipped in as quickly as possible. But this can require a small degree of faffage. And when starting on a steep hill you don't have the luxury of being able to faff around, you want maximum warp immediately, Scottie. You don't want to hear from the engine room "Can we try that again? I cannae get the dilithium crystals clipped in, Captain".

 

[Chief Broom]

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.

Of course the earth is flat i saw it on youtube! My b/s detector/filter is never off especially on youtube. I have considered clipless as i do value a secure pedal connection but have opted to keep my toe clips for reasons mentioned.
What other people do is often NOT a reliable indicator as the herd is easily swayed by fashion!

 

[Dogtrousers]

What other people do is often NOT a reliable indicator as the herd is easily swayed by fashion!

When I was cycling in the 70s I had toeclips on my "racer" because... well ... that was what you had back then.

I rode like that into the early 90s then drifted out of cycling. When I came back in 2011 I saw people with these magic pedals (2 bolt SPDs) that were much easier to engage than to clips, so I got me some.

But if toeclips hadn't been in vogue in the 70s I'd be still happily riding round on flats and everything would be exactly the same except my pedals.

But as things are, I don't like riding with flats. It feels wrong.

 

[Dadam]

If you can afford to buy the shoes and the pedals when you're not sure, understanding you'll not get very much back if you hate them and have to sell them on, then go for it. You'll never know if you don't try.

I first tried SPD a couple of years ago, but I'm not a full convert. Probably about 50/50. I do quite like the feeling of being clipped in on longer rides, but for me it always comes with a slight nervousness of clipping out in time.

For me the worst aspect is uphill junctions especially T junctions. I unclip early, then often find myself stopped a little too far back to see the traffic and have to scoot forward or pedal with the back of the foot to avoid clipping in. I've not fallen off as a result yet but a couple of times I've unclipped one side at a traffic light, then started to topple the other way only just managing to unclip and getting foot down.

Some people say just do a track stand. I've never been able to. Would be a nice skill to learn but not sure I've got the balance!

 

[Vapin' Joe]

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.

If you're not going to recover quickly from a fall then clipless are a better bet. It is far safer to hit the ground with your full body than having a fragile limb dangling out. The reason broken collar bones are a common racing injury is due to then natural tendency to extend your arm to break the fall. If you're still gripping the bars when you hit the deck your shoulder will absorb the impact.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

You don't need them.

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

I suspect that, after 55 or more years of riding bike with flat pedals
if I tried something that clipped me in then I would fall off

and the last 2 times I did that I broke a bone
so - maybe not for me!!

 

[presta]

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.

It was the shoe they stopped making, the name continued on something else totally different. I can't remember when they stopped now, but I carried on re-soling the last pair for ages until the stitching started to fall apart. Annoying really, because the soles never used to wear out except for a small hole under the tip of my left big toe from where I put my foot down. That's one of the many reasons I liked them: they were tough as old boots.

 

[presta]

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

That's what I was planning to buy had I ever found any shoes that were suitable.

 

[fossyant]

You lot talking about 'slip ones', flat pedals etc, makes me feel like I'm 'young'.

 

[kingrollo]

You can get pedals flat on one side - spd on another. These are great for committing or getting started with clipless.

 

[kingrollo]

That's what I was planning to buy had I ever found any shoes that were suitable.

There's loads of such shoes available - it's pretty much the default for MTB shoes to have a recessed clear.

 

[Profpointy]

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

My first try was with those, for the reasons you say, but they always seemed the wrong way up so I swapped to double sided clipless within a week or two. Some time later tried Crank Brothers' effectively four sided eggbeaters which I really like but are very pricey compared to Shimano, particularly any models with titanium bling in them

 

[Binky]

If you've never ridden clipless then you won't miss them(obvs).

However they are way better, certainly on a road bike and on climbs. I know this from experience as earlier this autumn on one of my regular trips to Mallorca I took all my kit, helmet, mitts, bibs etc but crucially forgot my shoes. As I was only there for 5 nights that visit it wasn't worth trying to get to Palma from where I was based to buy some and no bikes shops in my area had any.
So, I rode on flats. It was OKish and doable but clipless so much better to climb and descend especially if like me you like to climb out of saddle.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

What I find weird - based on exactly zero experience being clipped in or attached in any way

is the idea that it is better out of the saddle

I have never had even the slightest problem with my feet slipping on flat pedals when I am climbing out of the saddle
especially on ones with spiky bits

I presume it is like people have said - if you have never had them, then you will never miss them