RVARider

you told me I HAD to go clipless - I resisted - I like my sneakers.

Finally did it - hated it, felted trapped by the connection, didn't like the position over the balls of my feet, not having fun

Last night I was on a long ride and unclipped at a stop sign. When I continued, my feet automatically snapped in and I felt a feeling of relief to be clipped back in.

You were right - it is awesome

Andy Somnifac 

I'll go against the grain, thought it's too late:

You don't HAVE to go clipless. You should ride however you want, and in the manner that makes you happy.

If you find that to be clipless, awesome. But don't ever feel pressured into something. This is supposed to be fun.

cicatrize

I agree with Andy, however, most roadies will say that clipless pedals are more fun. Once you get past the initial weirdness, you start to realize all of the benefits. After that, you might even feel weird without them. Every time I ride my hybrid, I feel disconnected with the bike. That's usually OK for what I use that bike for, but it still feels strange. I couldn't go back to platforms on my road bike.

ShortLegCyclist

If you like them, great, but be aware they are not all that some crack them up to be:

The Shoes Ruse

kc0bbq

There are just as many fallacies in that opinion piece as there are in the wild claims about clipless, and even more smug self-satisfaction.

Willbird

My very first experience years ago with clipless was after riding probably far too long on soft soled sneakers. I had hot spots in my feet going into clipless and they persisted clipless. The pedals were some of the first SPD clones that came out in the 1990's. It all worked but nearly as well then as it did this time around when I got into stiff soled shoes after first month and clipless during second month. Never had anything remotely like a hot spot yet.

Stucky

Awesome? Dunno about that. They're O-K. I liked toe clips and straps just fine, too- but I tried clipless....they're O-K, and give the bike a "cleaner" look- so since I have them now, I'll continue to use 'em- but in the scheme of things, I think their main benefit seems to be to make one feel like an "official roadie"...

mpath

And it would "awesomer" with a pro bike fitting that also accounts for your shoes, cleats (shimmed if necessary), and pedal stroke. Really.

RVARider

uhhhh.......WOW

ShortLegCyclist

Rivendell is known for not following the beaten path. Their push for 650b for road and touring bikes is another example of that.

RVARider

I find my pedal stroke is cleaner, I can pull up on the back swing if I need a burst for some reason, and my avg speed has gone up 1.5 miles an hour

Jarrett2

I wish I would have listened and done it sooner as well. Can't ride without them now.

growlerdinky

Wait til you "clip out" of the accelerator in order to brake when driving...

RVARider

funny you say that- after a long ride last weekend I went to the grocery store and just barely stopped myself from signalling a left turn into an aisle with my cart

thump55

There are some things that are just better, but you need to know when to stop.

BTW, a good place to stop is before you start shaving.

Stucky

Believe me, that 1.5 MPH gain has nothing to do with going clipless. Even the staunchest clipless advocates would only claim a tenth of a MPH or so. You're just getting more efficient/stronger....

cicatrize

That has to be the most ridiculous and unscientific piece I've ever seen written about clipless pedals. Like the OP, I can't find another reason why after going clipless, my average speed jumped ~1.5 mph on my rides. For riding the flats or descending, I do notice that I don't really make much use out of being attached, but on climbs, you bet your ass I do. It's not all about the upward stroke. Yes, that's possible, but it's more about the forward movement of the leg along with downward movement. I can get much more efficiency from my muscles when I can push down and forward during a climb. Toe clips also work for this, so an argument can be made about the lack of necessity for clipless, but to ride a road bike with any sort of concern for speed, platforms just don't cut it.

What I'd like to see: A study done with professionals on a closed segment with flats, descents, and climbs, using toe clips and then clipless pedals.

Shuffleman

Some things, you just have to learn for yourself. I was a little nervous for my first time in them. I even forgot to clip out on my first group ride and fell right in front of about 10 people. 2 weeks later I did it again at a stop light. I gave people a good laugh and moved on. I much prefer to rider with them. In fact, I see no reason to ride without them again.
I ride my mtb without them though. I have been riding with my 8 yr old and he simply falls too often so I feel more comfortable without them. I have to get off fast to get him off the track and I do not want to run him over.

RVARider

I have NO idea what this means

ShortLegCyclist

My first accident clipless I stopped on a side sloping hill at a red light, cleated out of the wrong side because I wanted to lean uphill at the stop, and fell over downhill INTO three other cyclists (this was an event ride in Baltimore about 20 years ago so the only vehicles on the road were bikes). Nobody got a good laugh out of that but fortunately I was the only one hurt (chainring scar still visible on my right calf).

I no longer use clipless on city/commuting rides, only if I'm on back roads where I'll be able to go more than 2 city blocks without having to cleat out.

Andy Somnifac 

He means that he thinks you shouldn't shave your legs.

If you want to, shave away. If not, don't. Just like the pedals, do what helps you enjoy riding your bike.

popeye

He has never drafted a chewbaca evidently.

69chevy

Link to an article written by a guy who rides in sandals and Crocs...

Of course he can come up with reasons they are crap.

TimothyH

If the main benefit of clipless were appearance then pro teams wouldn't be using them. They are in the business of winning races and looks are secondary. What anyone has on the bottom of their feet certainly isn't there for looks but because there is a competitive advantage.


-Tim-

merlinextraligh

Is that you, Alenbikehouston?