halfspeed

You could always bolt cleats to the bottom of your wingtips.

Really, how many places can you not wear something that looks like sneakers or soccer shoes?

KrisPistofferson

They may look like sneaker or soccer shoes, but they feel like clogs or tap shoes. So I guess the answer is most places where you'd like to walk comfortably without sliding on hardwood or tile floors.
I own a clipless set-up, and really love it for long weekend rides, but they suck for commuting and errand-running due to their stiffness. I know I could get something less stiff, but then why not wear toeclips with Converse All Stars? Clipless are a marketing firm's wet dream, but the way some cyclists treat platform pedals like it's something off of a 1902 high-wheeler is ridiculous. I've experimented with every setup on the market, and find BMX pedals to be ideal for a commiting/do-all bike, and I'm right about absolutely everything.

FarHorizon

I base my "safer" statement on simple ergonomics. It takes longer to unclip than to take your foot off a platform pedal. Does this small fraction of a second matter? Only once in a thousand times - but then it might be the difference between life and death. Your life - your choice.

Are there circumstances where your feet might slip off a platform? Sure, if you're standing on the pedals over a railroad track or pothole. Bumps can usually be anticipated though. When I see one coming, I rest my weight on the saddle and use only light pressure on the pedals to maintain my foot position.

The "slip factor" is also minimized by using platforms with spikes (as I do). The spikes keep your sneaker or shoe sole from sliding at all (watch those spikes while walking the bike, though - they can gnaw at your calves like rabid chihuahuas!).

silversmith

My thoughts exactly. I love wearing my comfortable shoes on my toe clip equiped rides.

Flak

Id much rather losing 5 mins on my ride if it means i get to wear my comfortable shoes for the rest of the day when i reach my destination.

Since im not racing. I couldn't give a crap less if clipless would get me there 2mins and 34 secs faster, which im sure they probably would.

Bekologist

From other riders on a ride "This is the last hill" and excuses as to why they aren't as fast as they think they should be.

from bike shops "no, you can't get that anymore" and "they're coming in soon"

from the bike industry 'lighter is better' and the dubious validity of the always increasing numbers of gears in the rear cluster.


from nonriders everywhere- "you know what they say around here -If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes" and 'it's easy to find, you just....', or, alternately, 'you can't get there from here'

Machka 

If that's the case, then you've got the wrong shoes. I can hike, walk, run etc. etc. in my cycling shoes. I can also enter most buildings (restaurants, stores, museums, etc.) without feeling like everyone in staring at my feet ... my cycling shoes look a lot like your basic hiking or walking shoes.

Machka 

Also from nonriders:

"It's flat all the way from here to there" . . . it never is . . . it just seems that way to them when they are driving their cars, but there is always a monster hill or mountain range in between "here" and "there".

"It's not far ... maybe 2 hours" . . . yes, 2 hours by car if you are speeding ... it's 13 hours by bicycle.

savage24

I resemble that remark!

2manybikes

The last one is a dog and not the kid right ?
If I can borrow your ________ I'll bring it right back.
No I did'nt work on that myself.

shokhead

Biggest lie? A better bike will make you faster.

halfspeed

There are shoes with rubberized soles that neither slip nor tap and are stiff yet still walkable.

I'll go along with that.

Until you disagree with me.

Waldo

All good stuff, but I've got a couple to add...
Just riding around/along.
To tie in with the "our son is not abusing his bike," had a 250-lb teenager that got a Homegrown from us and was riding it all around town. Kept coming back for bent rims. Mom was absolutely furious and belligerent, to put it nicely. Finally got the kid to admit that he enjoyed hitting curbs full speed. Mom finally shut up.
XYZ shop down the street will do a free install on that.
XYZ shop down the street has that same '06 model on sale for 20% off...no, it's not an '05.
My personal favorite was a couple customers that showed up well after closing and flashed all sorts of cash at us. We let 'em in, they browsed for a half hour, wouldn't talk to anyone, and left.
Have had several customers tell me they buy all their bikes from us and mention that they're all a brand we've never carried. Same thing with people trying to warranty online purchases.
I average 35 mph (from a dude with no computer).
You sold me a defective tube (returned with tell-tale pinch flat holes).

That's about all that comes to mind at the moment.
2manybikes, I believe it was a child that let loose on Chuck's floor, but I'm sure he'll clarify that.

Cyclist0383

Buying online is always cheaper than the LBS.

2manybikes

Either way that had to be a bad day.

ZachS

That's the opposite of what you should do, at least if you want to reduce wear on your wheels... I've always unweighted the seat going over bumps to allow my legs to act as shock absorbers for the rest of my body...

Rev.Chuck

The lie was about a dog. Who proceded to hike and pee on some clothing(It is on discount now ). We did have a little girl pee on the floor one time while her dad was ignoring her. His other kid smeared excrement all over the bathroom one time.

shokhead

Only most the time,not always.

Waldo

Ah, ok. That makes it much better.

willtsmith_nwi

If you ride downhill or in wet conditions ... yes they are.

UmneyDurak

Funny story. When I was buying my bike, the credit card refused to go through with transaction. I had to pay for my bike from my checking account. As it turned out, it refused to process the order because it didn't fit my spending pattern, so they locked it. I had to call in, and assure them that it was me who was using my card.

UmneyDurak

I was descending HW84 yesterday, with rain comming down like it was the next great flood. Had no problems slowing my bike down to manage those turns with rim breaks.
Oh by the way becarefull on that descent, there is a crack in the middle of the road. Almost wiped out on it.

Prozakk

This part is indestructable.

Artkansas 

"Bicycles belong on the sidewalk". So many drivers try to tell me this.

Blackberry

+1
That really may be the biggest lie in cycling.