Turns out clipless pedals no better than flat pedals
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here is a cycling shoe for the cultist.
I don't mean that in a bad way. It just amuses me that sandals require spd's and them who ride them swear by them, hence being called cultist.
While I for sure fall into the SPD more than platforrms, if I was to cycle in a sandal it would probably be on platform pedals. Maybe I should try the SPD sandal, but I don't want to get addicted...
https://bikepacking.com/news/shimano...a-spd-sandals/
I don't mean that in a bad way. It just amuses me that sandals require spd's and them who ride them swear by them, hence being called cultist.
While I for sure fall into the SPD more than platforrms, if I was to cycle in a sandal it would probably be on platform pedals. Maybe I should try the SPD sandal, but I don't want to get addicted...
https://bikepacking.com/news/shimano...a-spd-sandals/
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Best frame material: whatever Huffies are made out of
Best Tire and Size: Specialized Alibi tires (solid rubber, baby) and 18 x 1 3/8
Flipped upside-down drop bars
Riding on just pedal spindles is the best; super aero, lightweight no need for special shoes and with a little duct tape you are not going to fall off the pedals.
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I live in sandals all summer long but there ain't no way. That first picture of sandals with socks hurts my eyes. Plaid shorts with suspenders would be a good match. Sandals would never work for cycling for me. JMO though.
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#83
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here is a cycling shoe for the cultist.
I don't mean that in a bad way. It just amuses me that sandals require spd's and them who ride them swear by them, hence being called cultist.
While I for sure fall into the SPD more than platforrms, if I was to cycle in a sandal it would probably be on platform pedals. Maybe I should try the SPD sandal, but I don't want to get addicted...
https://bikepacking.com/news/shimano...a-spd-sandals/
I don't mean that in a bad way. It just amuses me that sandals require spd's and them who ride them swear by them, hence being called cultist.
While I for sure fall into the SPD more than platforrms, if I was to cycle in a sandal it would probably be on platform pedals. Maybe I should try the SPD sandal, but I don't want to get addicted...
https://bikepacking.com/news/shimano...a-spd-sandals/
In general SPD sandals are far better summer rain cycling shoes than regular spd shoes, because of quick drying times and very little water retention. My normal shimano shoes need three days to air dry if they get properly soaked. The SD-5's are dry in hours.
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Have you ever tried Mtn bike shoes/pedals. Just wondering if that might work for you.
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To answer your question, all of my bikes have RaceFace Chesters, which is a mtn bike pedal. My general foot problems are pretty bad if I walk in the wrong kind of shoes, so I don't experiment with it much. I wear New Balance sneakers with orthotics. Bicycling has always been the one activity that hasn't caused my feet to flare up, so I don't see a need for special "biking" shoes.
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Do folks not realize that most of the top DH and Enduro Pro MTB racers, not to mention all of the Pro XC MTB racers(you know, the guys who get paid to be as fast as possible), choose to use clipless pedals because of the benefits that they offer? Climbing, sprinting, in all those conditions.
The idea that flats pose a real risk of slipping off on a road bike or commuter - and that you need clip-less in order to prevent this - is ridiculous. The problem is not using flat. The problem is using cheap, crappy flats.
Besides the whole “this is what the pros use” line of reasoning is probably responsible for more bad gear/equipment decisions than almost anything else.
FWIW, I use both flats and clipless on both my road/gravel and MTBs. I don’t really see one as inherently better than the other outside of timed competition. But good lord, some of the arguments against either are just asinine.
Last edited by Kapusta; 07-01-20 at 08:52 AM.
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I picked up a set of nice pinned platforms when I bought my Hybrid (last summer). I intended to use the Hybrid for casual short rides so running shoes should have been fine.
I started using toe clips back in the late '70's and switched to SPD's in the late 90's. When I started riding with platforms something just didn't feel right. I thought it was the soft flexing sole of my running shoes so I tried riding with stiff hiking shoes.
I ended up swapping the platforms for a spare set of SPD's. My experiment was over.....to each their own.
I started using toe clips back in the late '70's and switched to SPD's in the late 90's. When I started riding with platforms something just didn't feel right. I thought it was the soft flexing sole of my running shoes so I tried riding with stiff hiking shoes.
I ended up swapping the platforms for a spare set of SPD's. My experiment was over.....to each their own.
My experiment with nubbed/platforms ended after a "close call" while using them. I was riding in moderate city traffic and keeping my eyes open for distracted cagers. I was pedalling lightly (not much pressure applied on the pedals) when a Ninja pot hole jolted me hard enough causing my foot (I was wearing Solomon Trail Runners) to slip off the pedal.
The bike and I wanted to go in different directions. Had I gone down in traffic it could have be ugly. When I got home (changed my underwear and cracked a beer) I put a spare set of SPD's back on.
When you're used to a system it's sometimes best to stick with it. Besides, I don't want to mess with the Cycling Gods......
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That's why these"debates" get so silly. I feel especially unqualified to comment on the advantages of SPDs because I really can't use them but, obviously, if I were to start using them, I probably wouldn't be good at it as I have no experience with them. The point is that the converse is true, that I am better at riding with platforms than someone who has been riding exclusively with some sort of foot restraint would be. That's why all these "you can't don't do X with platforms" always come off so silly because the writer is inevitably projecting their lack of experience and/or platform-specific skills onto everyone else.
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I have the Shimano SD-5 sandals and they are by far the best touring shoe I can imagine. Breathable, cool and quick drying when its hot but can be used in almost freezing conditions and rain when paired with sealkinz waterproof socks.
In general SPD sandals are far better summer rain cycling shoes than regular spd shoes, because of quick drying times and very little water retention. My normal shimano shoes need three days to air dry if they get properly soaked. The SD-5's are dry in hours.
In general SPD sandals are far better summer rain cycling shoes than regular spd shoes, because of quick drying times and very little water retention. My normal shimano shoes need three days to air dry if they get properly soaked. The SD-5's are dry in hours.
For a wide open sandal, I can see having drier feet. Well unless its a muggy humid day where nothing is evaporating.
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What system do riders like Danny MacAskill use? Doesn't look like he uses clipless pedals. Yet he rides some pretty rough stuff.
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I understand that pros wear/use what they are given to wear/use.
I also understand that any study will always a level of bias that corrupts the results, Which also Includes any presentation of said collaboration of studies and test.
Where Bias is not found is in the results of ...
Rogue Races of amateurs and some pros.
Red Hook criterium,
Many of the Gravel Races,
I won't be holding my breath waiting for a guy/gal to win any of them while using platform pedals.
These races are not to be confused with the Wednesday night race at the local club of 10 Ish or so miles.
I also understand that any study will always a level of bias that corrupts the results, Which also Includes any presentation of said collaboration of studies and test.
Where Bias is not found is in the results of ...
Rogue Races of amateurs and some pros.
Red Hook criterium,
Many of the Gravel Races,
I won't be holding my breath waiting for a guy/gal to win any of them while using platform pedals.
These races are not to be confused with the Wednesday night race at the local club of 10 Ish or so miles.
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That's why these"debates" get so silly. I feel especially unqualified to comment on the advantages of SPDs because I really can't use them but, obviously, if I were to start using them, I probably wouldn't be good at it as I have no experience with them. The point is that the converse is true, that I am better at riding with platforms than someone who has been riding exclusively with some sort of foot restraint would be.
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That's why these"debates" get so silly. I feel especially unqualified to comment on the advantages of SPDs because I really can't use them but, obviously, if I were to start using them, I probably wouldn't be good at it as I have no experience with them. The point is that the converse is true, that I am better at riding with platforms than someone who has been riding exclusively with some sort of foot restraint would be.
I did a test years ago comparing riding with flats and clipless. Did a few of 10 min intervals at constant power with clipless and flat pedals. Keeping the power constant I monitored my HR and couldn't detect any difference so believe at steady state there's likely very little, if any, difference in efficiency. I did notice a substantial difference of a couple hundred watts going up a short steep hill and a difference in power starting up from stoplights. Do I need to sprint up hills? Absolutely not. Do I need to sprint against my friends on a group ride? Absolutely not. Do I? Yes.
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Most people riding bikes grew up riding flats and switched at some point to clipless. I don't think there's much to learn about riding with either other than remembering to clip out when stopping. If you don't have some objective means of measuring power and/or efficiency it's difficult to verify that you'd be 'better' at riding with flats than someone who normally rides clipless.
I did a test years ago comparing riding with flats and clipless. Did a few of 10 min intervals at constant power with clipless and flat pedals. Keeping the power constant I monitored my HR and couldn't detect any difference so believe at steady state there's likely very little, if any, difference in efficiency. I did notice a substantial difference of a couple hundred watts going up a short steep hill and a difference in power starting up from stoplights. Do I need to sprint up hills? Absolutely not. Do I need to sprint against my friends on a group ride? Absolutely not. Do I? Yes.
I did a test years ago comparing riding with flats and clipless. Did a few of 10 min intervals at constant power with clipless and flat pedals. Keeping the power constant I monitored my HR and couldn't detect any difference so believe at steady state there's likely very little, if any, difference in efficiency. I did notice a substantial difference of a couple hundred watts going up a short steep hill and a difference in power starting up from stoplights. Do I need to sprint up hills? Absolutely not. Do I need to sprint against my friends on a group ride? Absolutely not. Do I? Yes.
It never would have occurred to me that there was any particular skill involved in riding on flats as I have done it all my life so it just seems natural. But so many people are posting that they have no confidence in their ability to stay on the things and that they hurt themselves when they use them that I'm now reconsidering that. Apparently, it's difficult for some people not to bang their shins with their pedals. Who knew?
Interesting you mention stoplights because (and I know this will sound like boasting, but it's true) in an urban setting, I am consistently faster starting on a stoplight than just about any non-motored vehicle I encounter-Stomping onto a big flat pedal gives me a big jolt of power that I don't think I could get if I had to clip in. Again, I don't really know that as I'll never ride clipless. But it really wouldn't at all surprise me if a habitual clipless rider wasn't as good starting on a flat pedal simply because they haven't got a start-up routine suited to the pedal style.
My suspicion has been that there's almost no difference, and my dad always said that the most heated arguments are generally about things that don't matter. When things matter, most times the "right" answer is obvious.
One thing I've noticed about these arguments is that it's going to be impossible to settle them by any kind of study because no one can agree on who the test riders should be. If all pro-level cyclists train a particular way, it only makes sense that they'll be better at that than they are the way they don't train, so it's really not likely you're going to get a group of elite road riders who are as adept at riding on platforms as they are clipless. And if you use average amateur riders, people will say that the lack of difference is because they're not good enough riders to realize the advantages of clipless (or spinning, or whatever).
The second thing I've noticed is that the safety arguments on both sides sound like unmitigated BS to me. Nothing is perfect, but they're both safe.
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I agree that the argument against either are asinine, hence my reply. People rip on clipless. People also rip on flats.
I also see clipless as inherently better outside of timed competition in many cases, for me and many other riders who aren't pros. And I ride clipless, flats, and sometimes flats with clipless.
I also see clipless as inherently better outside of timed competition in many cases, for me and many other riders who aren't pros. And I ride clipless, flats, and sometimes flats with clipless.