no cleats for me.

[gavroche]

Been using flat pedals since I got my bike last June and been thinking about getting clears. First, asked my LBS for strapped pedals to try and am very happy with them . Easy to remove feet when I stop and the main advantage is that I can wear normal trainers if I have to walk after. Can't do that with cleats! Straps may be old fashioned but certainly more practical.

 

[screenman]

Maybe more practical to you but to me they are useless. Cleats all the way, Bet I can get my feet off the pedals quicker than you can reach down and release your tight toe straps, unless of course you wear them lose in which case why bother with them at all.

 

[gavroche]

But awkward if you have to do any walking though! Each man to his own. I think with straps , I have the best of both worlds. Anyone else think like me?

 

[Fnaar]

I have spd shoes with recessed cleats, and walking isn't prob. Have even cycled to a hike, hiked up hills and then cycled home again in them.

 

[coffeejo]

Maybe more practical to you but to me they are useless. Cleats all the way, Bet I can get my feet off the pedals quicker than you can reach down and release your tight toe straps, unless of course you wear them lose in which case why bother with them at all.

I've got toe straps on one bike and I wear them loose enough to slide my foot in and out: they make a considerable difference compared to my other bike which only has flat pedals.

Having said that, I will go clipless once I've got some spare cash, in which case the toe straps will go on t'other bike so I can wear normal shoes with them, as per the OP's point.

 

[screenman]

Like you Fnaar I also use recessed cleats, on some of my shoes/bikes.

Anyway this is a cycling forum, who wants to walk anywhere when we can ride.

Cleats all the way, be one with the bike not two separate items.

 

[al-fresco]

I got Shimano MT41 shoes and M520 pedals last month - instant convert. Walking's OK and riding is much better. I had that "clipped in" moment when I ground to a halt on a 1 in 6 - otherwise they've been great. I'll convert my other bikes to M520 pedals this month.

 

[Brandane]

I don't like cleats OR straps! Tried both and didn't get on with them so now use Wellgo pedals with grip pins. I did try to persevere with cleats; but having your foot spot welded in the same position all the time did not suit me. Despite taking advice on here and adjusting the cleat position/saddle height, I kept getting cramps in my left foot. Never had an issue with getting un-clipped so can't blame that.

At my level of cycling, I doubt very much whether the alleged gain in efficiency from using cleats is noticeable in any case. As you also point out, I can go into the pub/cafe at my destination without walking like a constipated tap-dancer .

 

[screenman]

When does somebody walking in recessed cleats look like you describe.

I suggest you never did get your cleats set correctly if you had problems.

 

[Rob500]

But awkward if you have to do any walking though! Each man to his own. I think with straps , I have the best of both worlds. Anyone else think like me?

When I got my bike, 2nd hand Defy, the bloke had put strapped pedals on because he assumed I wouldn't want the clipless variety. I was happy to see that because (i) The idea of clipless scared me. (ii) I couldn't have bought the shoes at the time. My thought was, 'I'll get used to the bike and riding again then I'll upgrade the pedals.' But tbh, I'm not going to. I like the pedals the way they are.

 

[Norm]

I've got clipless on my road bikes and flats on the MTB, but I think that toe clips feel easier and more natural when starting and stopping.

The comment about them needing to be tight to be of any use considers only the (potential) efficiency benefits of toe clips. If you feel the need to be tightly strapped to the bike, then clipless might be the better option but that ignores the extra security, less chance to slip or to be bounced off the pedal, and the benefit of having your foot in the correct position in relation to the pedal's axle. On top of that, toe clips allow the option of wearing normal shoes - important if your bike is for riding to school, for instance, and you are required to turn up in uniform.

 

[HLaB]

Each to their own but I found straps more awkward dragging when I wasn't in and foot removal erratic (probably because I was wearing different shoes) and I had a few strap moments If you want to wear normal shoes, there's always double-sided (flat/clip) pedals.

 

[Hip Priest]

I have toe clips. I find them useful for holding my feet in place. I don't have them tight enough to provide any other benefits, but I'd find it a pain to have to loosen the straps prior to stopping.

I'm planning to try SPDs in the near future.

 

[danger mouse]

Straps for me. I keep feeling I should have shoes and cleats but not fully convinced by the advantages.

You do have to get the tension correct or numb feet ensue.

Im well versed in getting out in and out of them so cleats will probably be the same (eventually).

 

[HLaB]

Im well versed in getting out in and out of them so cleats will probably be the same (eventually).

I wouldn't say its the same, there's much less faff with clips