ac29593

I ride with platform pedals. From my experience, since I tried both just dont like clipless for personal reasons, I think that for short distances there is most likely no difference at all for the average cyclist. Flat, hills, sprints, whatever, if its just a few miles no big deal. I dont think you will notice much difference at all. That being said, with platforms you will get tired much quicker and over the long haul be at a total disadvantage. I think the difference will be like night and day.

ivegotabike

In a city enviorment im betting that a lawabiding cyclists average speed may actualy stay almost the same, especialy if they arent a clipping in ninja. Platform pedals let you be faster off the line at stoplights.

ViperZ

For my Winter Commutes in deep snow I switch to platforms, it was much slower and harder climbing the Broadway Bridge duringt my commute.

I was never so happy to get the clipless SPD's back on when spring thaw hit.

chipcom 

The correct answer is pie. Thank you, I will add my normal service charge to your account.

chipcom 

I won 50 bucks from a messenger who made that claim once.

Eatadonut

I got your no clipping without losing stiffness stats - went on a ride with the wrong shoes (brought the SPDs instead of the Times)

Cost me about 3mph over 2 hours.

dman-ebike

I ride for fun and drop 99% people riding clipless on platforms.

A smart pedaller chooses his platform pedals and shoes wisely. A dumb pedaller remains dumb.

datlas 

And you are resurrecting a 4 year old thread to tell us this?!?

Nick Bain

I'm guessing up to 10% but less than 5% average.

wi.flash

WOW. That was definitely worth bringing back a 4 year old thread. Do you have data to prove this. There has to be a reason you brought this thread back?

iheartbenben

Did you forget your bike also? How about your head? Can your bike, yah know, turn around?

41.

godshammgod

Reading comprehension is a good thing:

Runner 1

Interesting subject, even if it is an old thread.

I would say the loss is almost undetectable. Think about it -- any energy "lost" due to using platform pedals must be converted into a different form. What form is that? The best answer is heat. And if you've ever felt platform pedals after riding them, unless they're made of springs, they're not heating up much. (Granted, there's heat capacity and other stuff to take into consideration, but my hypothesis is that if this sort of thing was actually tested, it would be negligible).

thump55

I disagree 10000000%. Anyone who has rode substantial miles (years) in clipless and then tried to ride platforms can tell you this, me included (as well as several posters above). You lose a noticeable amount of power, speed, and endurance by not being able to pull up. You don't gain more "push down" power when you lose "pull up" capability.

The reverse is not necessarily true. If you only rode platforms, and then switch to clipless, you will probably not notice much improvement initially because you have not trained on clipless and your legs are not used to pulling.

khosch

+1

wphamilton

Is it possible that riding with platforms involves techniques and skills that become rusty when someone has used clipless for years?

thump55

The ability to vary your foot position does not even come close to equaling the power gained by being clipped in.

Other than being able to move your foot on the pedal, you'd have to be more specific about what type of platform pedal specific "techniques and skills" you are referring to.

There is/was a reason people use/used toe straps with their platforms.

Runner 1

Except the majority don't pull up on the pedals. I don't know your specific pedaling style so maybe what you are saying is true for you, but for most people:

https://www.thieme-connect.com/ejour...s-2008-1038374

wphamilton

I asked in general if it were possible that there were skills and techniques, so it feels like you're requesting I answer my own question. But if you just want me to throw some possibles out, there are a few. The most obvious is keeping your foot planted on the pedal. Other things which spring to mind are a smooth pedal cycle, adjusting foot position for different situations, extending the power cycle through more of the circle. Keeping connected but with a lighter touch on the upstroke. Possibly other things which I haven't thought of. I just turn the pedals - that's why I asked.

Yet there are still questions and divided opinions.

DropDeadFred

average speed youre probably not losting much if anything...difference is the type of power output...with platform pedals you are primarily pedaling downward only...with clipless you are making almost an entire circle. It's a different kind of cycling to me altogether. When i switched i noticed my climbs and sprints improving because I was constantly transferring more power than i was on platforms with cages.

tanguy frame

for people who bedal forward and back instead of up and down, I'd say 50%

AdelaaR

Compared to newbie nitwits, maybe ... but an experienced cyclist will clip in without noticing it equally fast to you putting you foot on the pedal and then centering it.
After that ... the experienced cyclist will use just a little extra upstroke power and blast away ... you won't see him again

thump55

I'm not really sure what you're saying. Let's go back a bit.

Are you (and Runner1) saying that there is no benefit from using clipless pedals over platforms?

Cuz all I'm saying is that there is.

AdelaaR

What you say is supposed common knowledge but it isn't true.
It's an urban legend.

Read this: https://www.bikejames.com/wp-content/...dal-Stroke.pdf

Runner 1

Yes, I'm saying in terms of transferring your biomechanical power into motion, there is no benefit of using clipless pedals over platform pedals. I cited one study supporting this view, although I'm open to the possibility of being proven wrong if there are more accurate studies or better evidence.

There are other benefits though including:

-Comfort
-Float
-Ability to not accidentally slide off the pedal while sprinting or going downhill