Clipless pedals...do I really need them?

[Webbo2]

I have pedals that I clip into, not "clipless"!

They are lacking in toe CLIPS so therefore are clipless.

 

[Punkawallah]

Wait! I need popcorn for this!

 

[MontyVeda]

This is like saying a motor wouldn't help because the rider is already pedalling. If a friend helps you push your car, does his force 'supersede' yours?

You're missing the point of the 'big muscle' vs 'little muscle'.

If a toddler helps an adult push a car, does the toddler force actually make a noticeable difference?
A very small motor would be pointless on a bike... they need an certain amount of 'umpf'.

 

[Venod]

Does anybody actually pull up on pedals ? been riding clipless since early 80s never pulled up on the pedals and managed to keep up the pace with some decent riders.

 

[Pblakeney]

Does anybody actually pull up on pedals ? been riding clipless since early 80s never pulled up on the pedals and managed to keep up the pace with some decent riders.

If you are going up 20%+ in bottom gear out of the saddle struggling to turn the cranks and trying not to fall over then anything that helps will be used, so yes.

PS - The main advantage of being clipped in (whatever system) is that you can maintain a more efficient cycle stroke. Your pedals go round and round yet many cyclists seem to be trying to mash their pedals down vertically. One tip is to imagine scraping something off the sole of your shoe.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Does anybody actually pull up on pedals ? been riding clipless since early 80s never pulled up on the pedals and managed to keep up the pace with some decent riders.

Not that "technique" is something that has ever troubled me, but ...I've read that the technique to aim at is "imagine scraping mud off the sole of your shoe on a boot scraper" at the bottom of the stroke.

That technique I suppose would maximise your engagement in the downstroke but it doesn't say anything about the upstroke.

There was a quote from a British time triallist from the past that I read once, but I've never been able to find it again. When asked what his secret was he said "You see that bugger there (pointing to a pedal) Well, when it gets to the top I push it down again. And then I do the same with the other one".

 

[HLaB]

You're missing the point of the 'big muscle' vs 'little muscle'.

If a toddler helps an adult push a car, does the toddler force actually make a noticeable difference?
A very small motor would be pointless on a bike... they need an certain amount of 'umpf'.

If a toddler helps push a car, its a very irresponsible parent 😉

 

[Animo]

If a toddler helps push a car, its a very irresponsible parent 😉

Exactly. You make the toddler steer while you push.

 

[Profpointy]

If a toddler helps push a car, its a very irresponsible parent 😉

It's silly to have the toddler pushing. Get the toddler to steer so the much stronger adult can do the pushing

 

[MontyVeda]

If a toddler helps push a car, its a very irresponsible parent 😉

i never said it wasn't a toy car

 

[Dogtrousers]

To get the analogy right the adult should be pushing the car and the toddler pulling.

Maybe in harness.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

To get the analogy right the adult should be pushing the car and the toddler pulling.

Maybe in harness.

Probably not if you are trying to bump start the car maybe???

 

[Paulus]

I have pedals that I clip into, not "clipless"!

I have clipless that I clip into, and toeclips that I slide into.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

If a toddler helps push a car, its a very irresponsible parent 😉

Yeah, but I’d get wet if I get out the car tonight.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I have clipless that I clip into, and toeclips that I slide into.

So they should be called slideless then?