Turns out clipless pedals no better than flat pedals
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I'm guessing some of the riders on this thread never sprint. Or climb steep hills. Or ride over rough ground. Or sprint up steep hills with rough ground (that's for the crossers).
I guess if you can do those things, and have complete assurance that you'll keep your foot on the pedal, you're better rider than I. Chapeau. Clipless pedals are for mere schlubs like me.
I guess if you can do those things, and have complete assurance that you'll keep your foot on the pedal, you're better rider than I. Chapeau. Clipless pedals are for mere schlubs like me.
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I'm guessing some of the riders on this thread never sprint. Or climb steep hills. Or ride over rough ground. Or sprint up steep hills with rough ground (that's for the crossers).
I guess if you can do those things, and have complete assurance that you'll keep your foot on the pedal, you're better rider than I. Chapeau. Clipless pedals are for mere schlubs like me.
I guess if you can do those things, and have complete assurance that you'll keep your foot on the pedal, you're better rider than I. Chapeau. Clipless pedals are for mere schlubs like me.
Or maybe if you've done all those things on platforms all your life like I have, you realize there's this thing called gravity that tends to keep your feet on the pedals.
Shocking that if you do something one way, you actually get confident in your abilities to do it and if you don't do it that way, you might have some exaggerated fears.
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#63
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I haven’t bothered reading every post. But, these childhood shin scrapers get my vote. Forget all that high tech stuff. Otherwise, blah, blah, blah. Ride what ya like.
Last edited by Ilbiker; 06-30-20 at 05:39 PM. Reason: Picture update
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Finally someone instilling some new and useful questions regarding the topic of pedal types. On my clipless pedals I like to go with ultrasonic waxing with teflon... before every ride. It's a lot of work but the results are well worth it.
Another benefit of flat pedals is they don't need this to be just as fast.
Another benefit of flat pedals is they don't need this to be just as fast.
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If you regularly commute in the rain like i do, clipless pedals are anything but pointless. It's nice knowing my shoe is going to stay attached to the pedal as I get out of the saddle to get going after being stopped at a busy intersection in the pouring rain.
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you need larger pedals to give you more even pressure for more comfort. thats why I got these guys for my big size 13,5 feet. makes most shoes work and my feet don't slip and my feet don't bend.
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Next up: the debate of ski bindings vs surf boards. Who can be more obstinate?
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One can try a simple experiment and decide. Ride with old fashioned clip ins with the strap loose, then tighten the straps down firmly, decide which is more effective/efficient
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Do folks not realize that many people mountain bike in the wet, in the mud, and over insanely rough terrain with flat pedals without slipping off? Climbing, sprinting, in all those conditions.
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#70
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I have three bikes with platforms and one with clipless. Two of them are just for casual riding and platforms are good enough for goofing around. I use platforms on the MTB due to my lack of skill/ confidence while offroad and I hate the handicap the platforms impose on me but see them as a necessary evil for now. The clipless pedals on my serious road bike give me positive attachment to the pedals and are definitely superior to the platforms.
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I still ride with toe clips and straps so I feel left out. I will say that I have retired my old leathers and ride a rigid touring shoe without a cleat.
But years ago nothing was more efficient than being strapped to the pedals with cleats firmly locked. It didn’t matter if you were right side up of upside down you could still pedal. And in a crash you could never lose your bike. Usually it just followed you wherever you went, but not always.
But even without cleats, stupidity reigns. About a month ago I pulled out my right foot, like always, stopped, and leaned to the left.
John
But years ago nothing was more efficient than being strapped to the pedals with cleats firmly locked. It didn’t matter if you were right side up of upside down you could still pedal. And in a crash you could never lose your bike. Usually it just followed you wherever you went, but not always.
But even without cleats, stupidity reigns. About a month ago I pulled out my right foot, like always, stopped, and leaned to the left.
John
#72
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I just put some shimano spd xtr clipless pedals on my 2021 Specialized Diverge and it seems to help me go faster. Definitely looks cooler lol.
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Meh. Try getting out of toe clips (EDIT:+ slotted cleats) and straps that you have strapped down and your riding FIXED gear! That's when you learn to do a standstill, which is actually quite easy when your fixed gear.
Modern clipless systems are a doddle.
Modern clipless systems are a doddle.
Last edited by AnthonyG; 07-01-20 at 01:27 AM.
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One minor thing I noticed is that flat pedals with spikes gives you considerably less float than SPDs.