gains from clipless pedals

[User19783]

Try riding a fixed wheel with flats, horrible,
Maybe OK in London town but not out on the hills around here,

Clipless is the only way for me.
Enjoy

 

[Mo1959]

I can save you the bother - it's not true.

Quite happy with my flatties, although when money allows, I wouldn't mind treating myself to a pair of Five Tens. Manage perfectly well with rubber soled trainers though.

 

[youngoldbloke]

New riders that start coming on our club rides using flat pedals very soon change to clipless, and find it easier to maintain the pace. One long standing member who refused to use clipless for many years eventually changed to SPDs and now very much regrets the time spent on flats. Give them a try!

 

[The Mighty News]

As a recent Specialized Allez purchaser myself I am considering changing the basic pedals, i really didnt get on with the standard ones provided with the bike at the weekend.

 

[cashy293]

GCN did a video about the benefits (or lack of) of clipless pedals Vs flats

http://www.globalcyclingnetwork.com...est-flat-vs-clipless-pedals-gcn-does-science/

 

[Drago]

Ah, GCN who prefer their experimentation as unscientific, but then use the word "but..."

 

[Citius]

Ah, GCN who prefer their experimentation as unscientific, but then use the word "but..."

We've had this conversation before. All you have to do in order to prove them wrong is come up with some alternative evidence.

 

[MontyVeda]

Clipless is about faith, not facts.

 

[youngoldbloke]

 

[Cubist]

I wouldn't know. When I'm in drag I don't wear my cycling shoes.

Help is at hand...

 

[KneesUp]

Try riding a fixed wheel with flats, horrible,
Maybe OK in London town but not out on the hills around here,

FTFY

 

[Deleted member 1258]

For 4-5 years I had clipless on one bike and clips and straps on the other bike, I didn't get any gains from being on clipless, they were about the same, when I brought my new bike last week I fitted clips and straps, I haven't ridden without some form of foot retention for years.

 

[markharry66]

For 4-5 years I had clipless on one bike and clips and straps on the other bike, I didn't get any gains from being on clipless, they were about the same, when I brought my new bike last week I fitted clips and straps, I haven't ridden without some form of foot retention for years.

Pervert.

 

[Red17]

Just bought my 1st set of clipless shoes pedals a couple of weeks ago as my walking shoes I normally cycle with have finally given up the ghost, and I wanted to try clipless.

Anyway - performance wise according to my Garmin no change in average speed etc - although my legs definitely feel less tired at the end of a couple of 30 mile rides I've done in them - probably down to the stiffer soles I'm guessing.

Still prefer to use flats on my commute though.

 

[Profpointy]

For 4-5 years I had clipless on one bike and clips and straps on the other bike, I didn't get any gains from being on clipless, they were about the same, when I brought my new bike last week I fitted clips and straps, I haven't ridden without some form of foot retention for years.

I think the argument is between clips/clipless versus flat pedals. For some bizarre reason some people claim clipless (and presumably toeclips also) are a fad from people aping racers. This is clearly a risible view that I'm not interested in arguing against. Fair enough to prefer the free and easy casualness of flat pedals or just can't be arsed clipping in - bit it's frankly silly to argue there's no benefit. I hate not being clipped in and feel insecure, but I'd not claim those who don't are misguided or wrong if they don't value those benefits above convenience say.

I do find clipless more convenient than clips and straps for clipping in and out, but both pretty much the same when you're actually going along. Conversely you are then stuck with needing "special shoes" - which I dislike on philosophical grounds, albeit have now gone that route grudginlgy. I hate "special shoes" for activities!