RebornBumbler
Senior Member
- Location
- Barnstaple
Makes a (positive) difference to me on the more extreme climbs, little performance improvement elsewhere I think.
Same as me. I wouldn't feel comfortable without my feet affixed to the pedals though I'd never knock anyone for riding without them, each to their own.To answer the OP's original question - I don't know. I have used clips and straps (and shoeplates) and then clipless pedals for over 50 years, and I find it extremely uncomfortable to ride a bike without them.
Kelly was one of the last pros to use clips and straps. He said on Eurosport that he was just sticking with what he was familiar with, but once he had changed to clipless pedals he realised how much better they were and he would never go back to the old type.As for the pros, last person to win the Tour de France without clipless was Stephen Roche in 1987, last man to win a classic was Sean Kelly in the early nineties.
I reckon one reason is tiny clipless pedals are a fair bit lighter than flat pedals... and every ounce matters at their level.Do any Professionals ride on flat pedals? If not, why not?
I don't think that's a reason - it is easy nowadays to put together a sub 6.8 kg bike - in fact sometimes weight has to be added to bring the bike up to the minimum. I think it is simply because the pedal action is more efficient, resulting in more speed with less fatigue. Remember clipless pedals are not a new invention - someone saw a need for them as far back as 1895. See one of my favourite websites, Speedplay's Pedal Museum.I reckon one reason is tiny clipless pedals are a fair bit lighter than flat pedals... and every ounce matters at their level.
How do you think they'd rate against rope bottom espadrilles? I'm just thinking while you'd get something for your heel to sit in, you'd loose the protection of the thick rubber sole...