capman

Took the bike out a few times this last weekend Chicago lakefront big test. Now this trail path is mostly smooth and level for the most part but the traffic on it had to stop numerous times quickly and not having the pedals engaged worked out great for me personally. My average ride speed was about 15-17MPH so noting crazy.
I retrofitted with a flatter mountain bike composite pedal with raised spikes it worked great with my regular gym shoes no slippage. I did a road test as well about same speed still no problems. My true test will be some elevation climbs will let you know how that goes. I noticed the pedals I have got space for add on straps? going over the shoe left to right might try to add them. Any recommendations for those straps?

zze86

Between all my bikes, I go between clipless and spiked pedals all the time.

Biggest advantage of clipless I've found is when out of the saddle or when spinning at higher RPMs.

As for the straps thingy, you probably don't want to do that. The spikes impede you getting in and out of the straps. If anything, get a plastic cage WITHOUT the straps so you can wiggle your foot in.

Dudelsack 

Straps should only be used for B&D.

Jon T

Obviously written by someone who's never used, or it's been a VERY long time since he used toe cages and straps. I'm 63 yo. Still using cages and straps. Have used them exclusively since the very early 70's ('71 or 2) when I got my first 10 speed. I'm still wearing Detto's with a cleat. I have no problem getting my feet out in a hurry. You just leave enough slack in the straps so you can quickly disengage if/when necessary. The cage and strap will still properly locate your feet on the pedals.
Jon

PaulRivers

Clipless is a good system if keeping your foot attached to the pedal is your number 1 priority, especially while sprinting crazily in a pack of riders.
Flats are a good system for everything else, they're a lot less work and a lot more natural to ride in.

My opinion is that straps are the worst of both worlds. Much harder to get out of in an emergency compared to clipless (and clipless is slightly harder than flats). And without the advantages of clipless in direct attachment to the pedal. I personally found I greatly prefer flats to clipless, but I can see uses for either system. But I wouldn't personally straps as being worse than either flats or clipless and don't recommend them to anyone I know.

If you already have pedals with pins, you can also get Five Ten flat bike shoes. They use a special sticky type of rubber that really grabs onto flat pedals with pins:
https://www.adidasoutdoor.com/FT07.html

That's what I use, it feels like my foot is physically attached to the pedal for pushing down, forward, or back, but without actually being attached for pulling your foot up off the pedal.

zze86

Admittedly, it's been a while. Straps with like MKS Sylvan type pedals sure. Straps with studded MTB pedals? Sounds like you got bigger balls and slimmer foot than me, lol.

wipekitty

I'm currently running clipless, cages and straps, and velcro straps on various bikes. The velcro straps are not this exact model, but very similar: https://www.fyxation.com/products/gates-pedal-straps

I find the velcro straps helpful for bikes on which I want to wear normal shoes (dress shoes, tennis shoes, etc). They're not as good as clipless or cages and straps IMO, but provide enough foot retention for comfortably riding around in the hills.

mstateglfr 

Averaging 17mph on that path during a weekend when its busy and all that stopping means you were riding 23mph for a lot of it too.
Find a different trail to ride at that speed. Dont be one of those guys who tries to set a PR while weaving in and around battery rickshaws, walkers, etc

rumrunn6

rode a bike without cleats for the 1st time in some while. was kinda fun & comfortable ...

Doctor Morbius

I was thinking they should only be used for S&M.

seedsbelize 

I will soon be removing my pedal's cages and straps too, and will go with the spiked platforms on all my bikes, instead of just the one.

IvyGodivy

Clip-less on my Gravel
Spiked/flat pedals on my mountain bike

jefnvk

I've just adapted dual sided pedals for most of my riding. Clip in when I want, ride flats when I want. Or, as I probably too often do, clip in the left and ride platform on the right,

indyfabz

But why do they call them clipless pedals when you clip into them? Maybe someone should start a thread asking that very question.

Paul Barnard

I have spiked platform pedals on most of my bikes and prefer them.

Hiro11

Pinned pedals with 5.10 shoes (as noted above) is a terrific option. I've been riding clipless on MTB, cross and road since the late 80s so that's what I'm used to, but that's just a personal preference.

One other option: lots of fixed gear riders like straps like this:
https://www.citygrounds.com/collecti...frs-toe-straps
They seem like another good idea.

noimagination

Glad you found a solution that you like. Whatever works for you, go for it.

Personally, clipless pedals are the best purchase I've made in the last 25 years or so (road cycling). I've never had trouble getting out of them (well, I did fall once early on when the cleat screws loosened and I couldn't rotate the cleat). They make my pedal stroke much more efficient, because I don't spend energy keeping my foot on the pedal. I can balance much more confidently out of the saddle because my foot is much less likely to slip off of the pedal. Etc.

If platforms work well for you, that is great. I'll keep my clipless pedals, however, I love them.

02Giant 

Pinned platforms in the winter, clip-less otherwise.

SouthFLpix

I gave up clipless pedals for city riding. If there is some mechanical advantage to begin with, you certainly give that up with all the constant stops required when riding in a city. I am back to riding flats and happy with my decision.

bogydave

Nachoman

philbob57

If the Looks were so great, why did you give your Campys to your GF? Doesn't sound very friendly to me. Or is it that clips/straps actually can work well for some people?

jpescatore

Most of my road mileage is on SPD SL pedals, but I have a hybrid bike with dual sided SPD/platform pedals. That used to be my commuter bike, don't commute any more.
Mostly use that bike on trails or riding with my wife.

One thing I notice on flats is how hard it is to get the bike started after a stop, can't pull up on either pedal! If there is going to be a lot of walking as part of the day, will just wear sneakers or sneaker-like low hiking boots.

I'm definitely faster when clicked in, or lower heart rate for same speed, and not doing real hills on that bike. Long miles in sneakers or trail shoes makes me miss stiff soles of my biking shoes, too. But, for short rides not all that much difference.