Planemaker

I was riding today and thought something fell off my bike so I unclipped my right foot and swung it over the back of the bike totally forgetting my left side was still clipped in. Totally helpless feeling knowing that you are about to fall and there is nothing you can do about it. Luckily, I was on a bike path and not in traffic.


FYI - I have pretty skinned up knee and road rash on my calf. I was about 2 miles into my ride but, I still rode 22 mile.

Don in Austin

Suppose somebody invented a bicycle component that:

*Makes cycling much less intimidating for neophytes
*Enhances safety by reducing likelihood of falling
*For all but the most skilled riders, enhances take-off speed from red lights and stop signs
*Saves you money
*Makes it easier to walk around during cycling rest breaks
*Allows you better fitting footwear if your feet have unusual proportions
*Allows you to make subtle adjustments on the fly to combat fatigue or leg/foot cramps.
*Only downside is a slight (how much is debated) loss of efficiency and speed, so not good for all-out racing

This miraculous invention is called the "platform pedal."

Don in Austin

cyclinfool

Oh and don't forget the required footwear

overthehillmedi

Have you filled out the forms with all relivent information to join Club Tombe and sent them off to Stepfam for adjudication ?

VNA

Are you trying to convince yourself or are you trying to show your lack of understanding of physics?

stapfam

Sounnds like entry to Club Tombay is valid but now up to the forum to vote you in.

Don in Austin

Neither.

Don in Austin

Gerryattrick

Probably neither. It's called humour.

Dudelsack 

Blasphemy!

String 'em up! Anybody got any string?

Terrierman

In. But it sounds a little fishy. Proper Tombe entries are normally motionless and no road rash. But still, the essential "I forgot" is there. So I'm sticking with In.

noglider 

I've been riding with toe clips recently, after years of not using them. I'm still fine at getting into them, but the hilarious thing is I'm twisting my feet to get out.

jyl

I fell 3X. So don't fret.

NOS88

The road rash can be a real pain (not pun intended) if not attended to fully. Hope yours is healing OK.

leob1

I could dispute every point, but that would take to much time.
You are just plain wrong.

Popeyecahn

My Quattos will do double duty fairly decently as platforms. I like to have some options.

Don in Austin

You would dispute a loss of efficiency and speed with platform pedals? "Slight" is, of course a subjective term and that is why I said "how much is debated." You would dispute that platform pedals are the cheapest way to go? You would dispute that it is easier to walk around in conventional shoes? (Of course that depends on whether we are talking clips or "clipless.")

I do NOT dispute that the shoes being retained can offer an edge. I only say there are disadvantages.

Don in Austin

Nightshade

My sentiments exactly!

Clipless on the street is for wanna be racers and the masochist.

NOS88

Why persist with name calling?

Turbo231

You could always mix worlds and use caged pedals. I have fallen once as if caged pedals are on correctly, there is no quick escape.

Around town, platforms are fine, but the biggest advantage to attaching yourself to pedals is power. It was night and day when I switched from platform to caged, it was like adding a 3rd leg for power, but you have to work on it as years of brainwashing on just platforms makes you forget to pull up. I remember after my first time the next day walking down a set of stairs...that's when you notice what new muscles you're using...but powering up hills has never been smoother. I won't mention cheap caged pedals only run 12 bucks on amazon.

fietsbob

more Practice.. look at a CycloCross Race, they do a dismount from the bike , and a Flying remount
dozens of times within the Hour of Racing.. SPD stuff is the Norm , Now.


... in parks and such .. You might try practicing on a softer surface than streets.

cplager

I completely agree that people can choose to not clip in and have a wonderful time cycling. I personally recommend at least half-clips as they make a big difference in making sure your foot doesn't fly off of the pedal. I wouldn't push anybody who doesn't want to clip in to do so (at least for DF bikes).

I've fallen over three times once I started to clip in, only once was because I was clipped in (and even in that case, I was trying to not clip in and, well, screwed it up).

I personally find it much more comfortable to be clipped in (I ride a recumbent where there is a large difference, but I think I'd prefer it on DF bikes as well). And I find it much easier to spin when clipped in than with toe clips, which is easier than straight platform pedals. And while I don't do it very often, there are occasions where I will pull on the pedals and I find it very useful there as well.

I don't think it is at all obvious that platforms without clips are safer than clipping in. Having your foot fall off of the pedal at the wrong time can be disastrous. If you have platforms with pins, you'll have a lot less float than clipless pedals and this can cause some people issues with their knees. And most mountain bike clipless systems are quite easy to use when walking around (I can even chase after my kids at the park just fine).

As far as

Well, I think that goes to show more about the character of the poster than anything else.

Don in Austin

I disagree. Just about everybody I ride with uses cleats on the street and I would not characterize them that way. I choose not to, they like the performance edge and are willing to tolerate the occasional fall, expense and need for special shoes, etc.

Don In Austin

stapfam

Been riding with clipless for 20 years now and to be honest- unless I am clipped in I do not feel safe. It did take a few years to get to that condition but platform pedals and my feet spend a lot of time losing the pedals. Clip and straps I found uncomfortable as to keep the feet in place I had to tighten the straps so tight I lost circulation in the foot and it was a real problem releasing a foot when they are that tight.

But it is up to the rider. Platforms work fine for a lot of riders and clips and straps are the only way for others. Clipless is just an alternative system that for those that use them- nothing else is as good.

chasm54

Oh, for God's sake. Why is this a subject for acrimonious debate? It's perfectly simple. Riding on pedals without any sort of retention system (clips, half clips, clips and cleats, clipless) is fine, for most people in most circumstances. Those who ride competitively, or in more challenging terrain, will find clipped or clipless pedals more beneficial, rising to essential for the full-on competitor. Track sprinting, for example, would be pretty much impossible with platform pedals with no clips.

Do what you want. The harder you ride, the more likely it is that you will appreciate clips or clipless pedals. But arguing about your preference is simply crass.

noglider 

I'm new to the 50+ section, but I've been on bikeforums for over three years now. Now I see why people complain about the disrespect here. What a shame. I guess I might not be hanging around here much. Some of you don't know how to have a friendly conversation without puffing out your chests.

Offer something helpful. Or don't. Need to cut someone down? Maybe there's a better place for that.