Clipless pedals...do I really need them?

[Punkawallah]

I'm surprised at the number of people who seem to estimate believability based upon speculation on motivation, plus suppositions not in evidence.

That’s nothing new. We continue to vote in a government, in spite of the evidence.

 

[kingrollo]

I suspect that if there were such benefits it would have been well tested and documented by those who have a financial interest to promote it. Lack of such testing is not proof of no benefit but it’s a big red herring for me.

Why would anyone undertake such a test for marketing purposes? - the clipless pedal is close to 100% adopted by pros -

Amateur and club riders are probably pretty close to that figure.

In short clipless pedals sell well enough as it is - a major marketing campaign isn't needed. The market has already been cornered.

Personally I think they do give a performance boost - probably more than any other upgrade with the exception of a lighter bike.

 

[markemark]

Why would anyone undertake such a test for marketing purposes? - the clipless pedal is close to 100% adopted by pros -

Amateur and club riders are probably pretty close to that figure.

In short clipless pedals sell well enough as it is - a major marketing campaign isn't needed. The market has already been cornered.

Personally I think they do give a performance boost - probably more than any other upgrade with the exception of a lighter bike.

Why would any company do a test to show how good their product is?
There are some benefits. But those iften touted are nonsense. 25% increase my backside.
Pros use them because they do offer marginal gains at maximum power. Everyone else uses them because the massively over inflate the befit and make stuff up and want to be like the pros.
Again, the manufacturers could easily prove to the average cyclist how good they are. They don’t. This proves nothing but makes me very suspicious.

 

[Binky]

Everyone else uses them because the massively over inflate the befit and make stuff up and want to be like the pros.

You really think that? No. Us mere mortals use clipless when cycling because are better than flats for road cycling especially on climbs and descents.
Yes I've tried both.
Try riding up a 8km climb in flats then try it in clipless and see. Oh and don't forget the hairpin descents.

As for only offering marginal gains at max power, sorry but if think that is only benefit then you really need to have a rethink. Clipless far more efficient and far safer. No slipping, can utliise different muscles as well as can lift on upstroke as opposed to only pressing on pedals.

Not everything is marketing bullshit, some stuff does actually work.

 

[markemark]

You really think that? No. Us mere mortals use clipless when cycling because are better than flats for road cycling especially on climbs and descents.
Yes I've tried both.
Try riding up a 8km climb in flats then try it in clipless and see. Oh and don't forget the hairpin descents.

As for only offering marginal gains at max power, sorry but if think that is only benefit then you really need to have a rethink. Clipless far more efficient and far safer. No slipping, can utliise different muscles as well as can lift on upstroke as opposed to only pressing on pedals.

Not everything is marketing bullshit, some stuff does actually work.

Feeling connected I get. Worrying about slippage I get. Benefit of the upstroke apart from max power ? Nah. Please show me the data that supports this. So much spent on it there must be data to support their claims.

Over a decade of commuting in all weather. How many slippages have I had? None. Anecdotal. But then so is your assertion unless it has some sort of data to back it up.

It’s a never ending loop of… it’s obvious innit. Stands to reason like.
So people use them. So it must be true cos everyone is using them.

There are marginal gains. The pros want every minute gain they can. 8 pages and no actual proof but an ever repeating cycle of it must be cos everyone uses a them.

 

[Binky]

Feeling connected I get. Worrying about slippage I get. Benefit of the upstroke apart from max power ? Nah. Please show me the data that supports this. So much spent on it there must be data to support their claims.

Over a decade of commuting in all weather. How many slippages have I had? None. Anecdotal. But then so is your assertion unless it has some sort of data to back it up.

You commuting uphill? Like I said no issue on flat but on climbs and descents clipless far better.

Have you ridden with clipless as a matter of interest?

 

[markemark]

You commuting uphill? Like I said no issue on flat but on climbs and descents clipless far better.

Have you ridden with clipless as a matter of interest?

There are hills on my commute.
3 years flats. Abiut 3 years clipless. Last 7 years flats. My average speed over that period? Virtually unchanged other than other factors of age, riding, caring, bike etc. but nothing obvious in the stages of transition between the pedals.

 

[Mike_P]

. I agree with the recommendation for two-bolt SPD MTB cleats, recessed for easier walking.

View attachment 793428

I much prefer the Multi-release versions of the SPD cleats, for easier unclipping. IMO, they are worth the separate purchase.

I fitted normal SPD cleats and found uncljpping my right foot difficult so I now always fit the multi release to a right shoe and a normal to the left.

 

[All uphill]

I've tried both and prefer flats; I cycle in hilly areas of Somerset and Devon.

Just my preference.

 

[Alex321]

There are marginal gains. The pros want every minute gain they can. 8 pages and no actual proof but an ever repeating cycle of it must be cos everyone uses a them.

Hardly a "repeating cycle", that has only been said once I think.

I ride with clipless, and definitely prefer them, but I doubt there is any significant performance advantage. Just feels better for me personaly.

 

[MontyVeda]

I was really referring to possibly requiring less effort as more power goes to the crank with the extra from the upstroke?

any 'power' from the upstroke will be superseded by the other leg doing a downstroke. It's a big muscle vs little muscle thing... the big muscle does all the work, regardless of how much effort one puts into 'pulling up'.

 

[markemark]

Hardly a "repeating cycle", that has only been said once I think.

I ride with clipless, and definitely prefer them, but I doubt there is any significant performance advantage. Just feels better for me personaly.

And that's about the most true statement on here. No significant advantage but feel better.

 

[Dogtrousers]

any 'power' from the upstroke will be superseded by the other leg doing a downstroke. It's a big muscle vs little muscle thing... the big muscle does all the work, regardless of how much effort one puts into 'pulling up'.

Also, for standing climbing you're recruiting other muscles like core and arms on the downstroke and the imbalance becomes even greater. It all becomes one big downward stomp.

 

[Exlaser2]

No one NEEDS clipless pedals for recreational riding. But there are some pluses to using them as others mentioned.
My big problem with them is my lack of ankle flexibility so these days I have to use spd with multi release cleats on my two best bikes Anything else, clipless wise, else can result in a fall in an emergency stop for me. 😀 The other plus is you can walk like a normal human being with this system . ( I like clipless pedals 😀)
My other two bikes have flats of some sort , my work/winter bike has old fashioned toe clips with straps and my hybrid just has flats. ( I like flat pedals too.😀 )
This thread can easily become a one v the other shouting match .
The bottom line is , don’t worry about it and ride what you want. No one is policing your foot wear .

 

[Dogtrousers]

No one is policing your foot wear .

That's what you think.

Signed. Special Agent Trousers. The Footwear Police.