Toeclips

[Trevrev]

Hello people, I'd like to say first off i'm not a big fan of cycling gear ( Clothes ) as i find them very unflattering.
But, on my commute to work i come across alot of cyclist with all the gear and what seem very expensive cycling shoes, cleats and all, with the clippy pedals.
The point i'm getting to, most people i see with this system also struggle alot to get clipped back in after being stationary. So, what is the advantage of this system, compared to my good old toe clips and trainers that cause me no trouble at all getting my feet in and out??

Trev.

 

[Jake]

think the guy in the sop says something like it saves energy, forget how much, as your helping bring the pedal back up wiht the other foot. They can be tricky. some days they just go right in, some times they just dont want to. They are a bugger to learn to use, but once in, its good. Although if you need to stop quick, or about to crash, it can cause you to miss a heart beat. Great if your doing long distance on a track or somewhre like richmond park where you just cycle

 

[gaz]

Basically it's better use of your energy. With the stiffer sole no power is lost in the bending of your shoe. You have a better acceleration due to always having contact with the pedals. meaning you can pull up on them as well as push down.

IMO you also have better control of the back, i can easily flick my rear end around with the added control with the pedals.

Depending on the system you use, it can be hard to clip back in. But as i find, someone over takes me when i miss the pedal. i'm quickly back in front due to my rapid acceleration.

using toe clips is a 1 up from standard pedals. As at least your toe is what is kept in contact with the pedal and the shape of your leg is roughly correct. I see so many people cycling with there feet in the wrong position and not only does it affect there performace, but can also damage your joints.

 

[colinr]

Personally, I find SPDs (clippy pedals) easier to get into than toeclips and so far have had no problem unclipping. Plus I can go faster. Also, I don't lose my footing when hammering down hills if I'm clipped in.

Only downside was it cost me £70 for shoes and pedals instead of nothing for toe clips.

 

[Trevrev]

Thanks for your quick replies chaps, It's always good to try and understand these things no-matter how much you dislike them.

 

[ttcycle]

Basically it's better use of your energy. With the stiffer sole no power is lost in the bending of your shoe. You have a better acceleration due to always having contact with the pedals. meaning you can pull up on them as well as push down.

IMO you also have better control of the back, i can easily flick my rear end around with the added control with the pedals.

Depending on the system you use, it can be hard to clip back in. But as i find, someone over takes me when i miss the pedal. i'm quickly back in front due to my rapid acceleration.

using toe clips is a 1 up from standard pedals. As at least your toe is what is kept in contact with the pedal and the shape of your leg is roughly correct. I see so many people cycling with there feet in the wrong position and not only does it affect there performace, but can also damage your joints.

+1

Although if you need to stop quick, or about to crash, it can cause you to miss a heart beat.

hahah clipless moments!

I suppose that clipless systems are useful way to fully utilise the energy you put into a down pedal; it also allows you to pull the pedal up and forward - therefore a more rounded and fluid pedalling style - I wholeheartedly recommend them as they allow you to have greater control of acceleration and better control of the bike as you're clipped in. Plus there is no wet trainer slipping off moment!

 

[Jake]

i do miss not having my goretex trainers on though, i had to pour the water out the shoes on thursday night. the shoes aer very thin mesh like. The toe clips, is that what they call them, what normal come with a new bike, a piece of strap which holds your foot in place. I see people using them and I see a lot them upside down being dragged along the road, and it looks like it could catch in something easily. Its like a net!

when i crashed into that girl last week, i did manage to unclip pretty quicklly, although i always unclip with the left, and i think if i lost ballance, im not sure i could get the right out as quick.

shoes and bits did cost a lot, but if you got a nice bike, you have to have the right stuff. Got rather wide feet, hippy kid, but still managed to find ones which fitted.

 

[ianrauk]

I had far more 'moments', 'near misses' (& 1 fall) with toestraps then I have ever had with clipless. (no falls so far). Found the straps to be a pain in the arse.

So I think it's a case of different strokes for different folks with these things

 

[Jake]

1 proper fall off like in cartoon, just stopped and fell sideways.
2 took feet and and they slide on the pavement/road
1 could not get them out quick enough and fell into the back of a car!

 

[MacB]

just to offer an opposing view, tried clipless and hated them, had one clipless moment and that's the only time I've fallen off a bike in 3500 miles. I've gone back to flat/platform pedals and I use Fiveten Impact2 Low shoes with 'stealth rubber' soles, your feet really do stick to the pedals. Am also ordering the Basic and Savant model from Fiveten, again with the grippy sole. I have a long, quiet, commute and prefer not to be so firmly attached to the bike. In heavier traffic, around town, I hated the feeling of being attached. As I've not suffered from foot slippage I didn't find any benefit there but do acknowledge honking uphill, out of the saddle, was easier clipless. Just nowhere near enough of a benefit to make me want to stick with them. I certainly didn't experience any of this night and day difference that some claim, you know, once you've tried clipless you can't go back. I also like the fact that I can hop on any of my bikes regardless of my footwear.

 

[tyred]

I'm not a fan either. I'm sure there probably are advantages for racing cyclists but I'm not a racing cyclist.

 

[gaz]

i do miss not having my goretex trainers on though, i had to pour the water out the shoes on thursday night. the shoes aer very thin mesh like.

Thats why you get waterproof over shoes. Mine are 3mm thick and keep all the water out from my ankle down. Wouldn't go out in the wet without them.

 

[Jake]

then its more stuff to carry around, or leave at work.

 

[gaz]

Watch the weather, and you know when it's going to be wet. It's either a small extra weight, or soaking wet feet. i know what i prefer.

 

[wafflycat]

The day I changed to a clipless system from years of using platform pedals with toeclips is the day I wondered why I hadn't done it years ago. And I'm as far from a racing cyclist as you can get. They simply help you achieve are more efficient pedalling action, so you get more bang for your buck, so to speak. They make going up hills a bit easier too (and the deities know, I need all the help I can get in that department...). As for slipping in and out, it swiftly becomes second nature and easy to clip in and out of.

As for the weather... depends on my footwear. I'll either use a pair of waterproof overshoes, or wear a pair of sealskinz socks. Either way my feet stay dry.