Clipping in [Flame suit on]
#101
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,361
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2479 Post(s)
Liked 2,947 Times
in
1,673 Posts
The people who post regularly in the Classic and Vintage subforum often congratulate each other on how friendly and welcoming they are to newcomers (explicitly in comparison to this subforum), but they can turn nasty in a second if a newcomer doesn't pay proper obeisance to their cherished beliefs regarding, e.g., steel (and titanium), etc.
The references in Classic and Vintage to the Road subforum as "Here Be Dragons" territory seemed odd to me---I hadn't seen anything especially combative here in a very long time---until the pile-on in this thread started up. Regardless of whatever it is that you, for reasons unclear to me, see as provocation worthy of retaliation, you should be ashamed of yourselves.
The references in Classic and Vintage to the Road subforum as "Here Be Dragons" territory seemed odd to me---I hadn't seen anything especially combative here in a very long time---until the pile-on in this thread started up. Regardless of whatever it is that you, for reasons unclear to me, see as provocation worthy of retaliation, you should be ashamed of yourselves.
#102
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 5,921
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1815 Post(s)
Liked 1,693 Times
in
974 Posts
The people who post regularly in the Classic and Vintage subforum often congratulate each other on how friendly and welcoming they are to newcomers (explicitly in comparison to this subforum), but they can turn nasty in a second if a newcomer doesn't pay proper obeisance to their cherished beliefs regarding, e.g., steel (and titanium), etc.
The references in Classic and Vintage to the Road subforum as "Here Be Dragons" territory seemed odd to me---I hadn't seen anything especially combative here in a very long time---until the pile-on in this thread started up. Regardless of whatever it is that you, for reasons unclear to me, see as provocation worthy of retaliation, you should be ashamed of yourselves.
The references in Classic and Vintage to the Road subforum as "Here Be Dragons" territory seemed odd to me---I hadn't seen anything especially combative here in a very long time---until the pile-on in this thread started up. Regardless of whatever it is that you, for reasons unclear to me, see as provocation worthy of retaliation, you should be ashamed of yourselves.
#103
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times
in
1,510 Posts
I learned to ride clipless on a century. I mounted 2 sided flat/SPD pedals then took a shakedown ride to make sure each pedal worked. The next ride I took off for a century. Started with one foot on flat, the other clipped in. Every mile I would switch. After 20 miles, it became 2 clipped in, then 2 flat. After that it was different combos still switching every mile. By the time I finished, it was all 2nd nature. Too be fair though, I rode with toe clips and straps before that.
#104
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,032
Bikes: addict, aethos, creo, vanmoof, sirrus, public ...
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1273 Post(s)
Liked 1,384 Times
in
708 Posts
Oh, please. The OP in this thread has been combative in this thread and previous ones. Of course there have been combative replies in this thread because it started out as a combative thread. The nastiness started out at the very start of the thread with the OP stating that they would NEVER use the stated type of bike technology again. Pretty much a controversial position to take. Their flame suit is on. This was expected and the OP asked for this
i don't care if there are "efficiency" gains or not. it feels great. unity of man and machine. no need to think about foot placement, feet slipping, no matter how hard i hammer in or out of the saddle, or just loaf along slowly. and the pedals and shoes are incredibly light, which is not insignificant for something spinning around - 150g shoe, 82g pedal, don't know how much the cleats are but call it 260g or so, compared to 500+g for good flat pedal shoes like freeriders plus lightweight platform pedals
i fell over maybe twice right at the beginning. embarrassing, and one belt derailleur hanger. i posted here about how hard it seemed to clip out, got yelled at by a bunch of people that i didn't know my bike wasn't working right, and a little lube on the spring remedied the problem. almost 10,000 miles later, one stopped fall due to a sudden flat that surprised me.
#105
ignominious poltroon
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 3,997
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2223 Post(s)
Liked 3,407 Times
in
1,779 Posts
Example: https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...oing-hell.html
Last edited by Polaris OBark; 09-11-22 at 05:57 PM.
Likes For Polaris OBark:
#106
Happy With My Bikes
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,180
Bikes: Hi-Ten bike boomers, a Trek Domane and some projects
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 880 Post(s)
Liked 2,304 Times
in
1,114 Posts
Quoted for truth. I was a late convert to clipless pedals and thought that straps and cages were all I needed. When I bought a modern road bike a few years ago I kept using straps and cages. After I noticed my shoes were rubbing the black finish off of my drive side crank and wore through the band holding my cadence sensor magnet it was obvious my feet were all over the place. Switching to road shoes and pedals was a great improvement in my pace and comfort. I don't care what the OP wants to use, but I can certainly tell her Wasn't trying to look like the big boys.
__________________
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
#107
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,843
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6936 Post(s)
Liked 10,940 Times
in
4,674 Posts
Look back over the threads you've started: most of them have turned into ****shows. What is the common denominator in those threads? You.
Last edited by Koyote; 09-11-22 at 09:00 PM.
#108
Senior Member
If nothing else, clipless allows me to use stiff soled shoes. My feet get tired in under 10-15 miles if I try riding (with effort) in sneakers. My semi-stiff Velosambas with SPDs can go for up to about 30 mi, and my Shimanos with SPD are good for nearly a metric before my feet start getting really sore. Picked up some Adidas road shoes and Look pedals recently to see if I can stretch that a bit longer, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I might really be looking for carbon soles rather than fiberglass to keep my feet happy-ish past the 50 mi marker.
Still learning single sided pedals, but I’m pretty sure that when riding in the city, I much prefer the dual-sided nature of SPDs when I have to stop at dozens of intersections per ride - just easier to get the shoe and pedal in the right place without looking to see how I have to orient the pedal. I do appreciate the wider platform and more secure feeling of the Look when I don’t have to deal with traffic.
One more benefit of clipless in traffic - having the ability to dramatically increase torque by pulling up does help one accelerate out of the way of traffic or pedestrians more quickly.
I’ve been riding SPD for about 20 years, and the only issues I’ve had with it recently are the result of not tightening cleats down enough - two bolt cleats can rotate on the shoe, which is annoying when you try to unclip and the cleat stays in place, even though the shoe’s now at a 45 degree angle… the Looks did cause me to land hard on my nuts on my first ride - forgot that I couldn’t clip in without looking! Definitely a strong reminder there.
Still learning single sided pedals, but I’m pretty sure that when riding in the city, I much prefer the dual-sided nature of SPDs when I have to stop at dozens of intersections per ride - just easier to get the shoe and pedal in the right place without looking to see how I have to orient the pedal. I do appreciate the wider platform and more secure feeling of the Look when I don’t have to deal with traffic.
One more benefit of clipless in traffic - having the ability to dramatically increase torque by pulling up does help one accelerate out of the way of traffic or pedestrians more quickly.
I’ve been riding SPD for about 20 years, and the only issues I’ve had with it recently are the result of not tightening cleats down enough - two bolt cleats can rotate on the shoe, which is annoying when you try to unclip and the cleat stays in place, even though the shoe’s now at a 45 degree angle… the Looks did cause me to land hard on my nuts on my first ride - forgot that I couldn’t clip in without looking! Definitely a strong reminder there.
#109
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hacienda Hgts
Posts: 2,101
Bikes: 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 822 Post(s)
Liked 1,955 Times
in
941 Posts
To the OP: if you are afraid of crashing with SPD pedals because you cannot clip out, you might want to consider the Shimano PD-ED500 SPD.
The tension required to clip out is minimal but they are secure enough to keep you clipped in with a normal pedal stroke. I have not accidentally clipped out under normal riding.
I also like the mini-platform and find it more comfortable. It is two-sided.
The tension required to clip out is minimal but they are secure enough to keep you clipped in with a normal pedal stroke. I have not accidentally clipped out under normal riding.
I also like the mini-platform and find it more comfortable. It is two-sided.
#110
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
Those pedals sound scary but the real danger is handlebar tape!
Likes For Seattle Forrest:
#111
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 786
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 338 Post(s)
Liked 408 Times
in
252 Posts
To the OP: if you are afraid of crashing with SPD pedals because you cannot clip out, you might want to consider the Shimano PD-ED500 SPD.
The tension required to clip out is minimal but they are secure enough to keep you clipped in with a normal pedal stroke. I have not accidentally clipped out under normal riding.
I also like the mini-platform and find it more comfortable. It is two-sided.
The tension required to clip out is minimal but they are secure enough to keep you clipped in with a normal pedal stroke. I have not accidentally clipped out under normal riding.
I also like the mini-platform and find it more comfortable. It is two-sided.
The OP just needs to learn a few tricks, there's nothing inherently dangerous or problematic about the technology.
#112
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,631
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4729 Post(s)
Liked 1,531 Times
in
1,002 Posts
Likes For Sy Reene:
#113
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 727
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 365 Post(s)
Liked 418 Times
in
247 Posts
It's fine to try something, find it doesn't work for you, and do something else. It's also fine to relate your experiences.
The problems you experienced, however, are due to your mistakes, not to the equipment. I've ridden Look style pedals for tens of thousands of miles over more than 30 years (including riding a tandem with my wife), and I've fallen due to not clipping out exactly twice (the last time was decades ago). I don't ride them "because that's what the pros use", I ride them because they work for me. I barely knew pro cycling, as a sport, existed (this was well before 1999) when I bought my first clip-ins.
Sincerely, though, thanks for your post. I had to work on my wife for a couple of years to get her to try clip-in pedals on our tandem. Given your experience, maybe it is best that it took some time, since she was basically a beginner when we started. Perhaps she would not have liked clip-ins if she'd tried them right away (she absolutely loves them now).
The problems you experienced, however, are due to your mistakes, not to the equipment. I've ridden Look style pedals for tens of thousands of miles over more than 30 years (including riding a tandem with my wife), and I've fallen due to not clipping out exactly twice (the last time was decades ago). I don't ride them "because that's what the pros use", I ride them because they work for me. I barely knew pro cycling, as a sport, existed (this was well before 1999) when I bought my first clip-ins.
Sincerely, though, thanks for your post. I had to work on my wife for a couple of years to get her to try clip-in pedals on our tandem. Given your experience, maybe it is best that it took some time, since she was basically a beginner when we started. Perhaps she would not have liked clip-ins if she'd tried them right away (she absolutely loves them now).
#114
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,843
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6936 Post(s)
Liked 10,940 Times
in
4,674 Posts
Likes For Koyote:
#115
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,851
Bikes: Lemond '01 Maillot Jaune, Lemond '02 Victoire, Lemond '03 Poprad, Lemond '03 Wayzata DB conv(Poprad), '79 AcerMex Windsor Carrera Professional(pur new), '88 GT Tequesta(pur new), '01 Bianchi Grizzly, 1993 Trek 970 DB conv, Trek 8900 DB conv
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 758 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 809 Times
in
471 Posts
I placed "jenny" on my ignore list after one or two of her posts and within a couple days of her signing up on BF.
..she continues to reinforce that was a good move.
..poster child for society's very vocal, not so deep thinkers
..she continues to reinforce that was a good move.
..poster child for society's very vocal, not so deep thinkers
Likes For fishboat:
#116
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,621
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2975 Post(s)
Liked 1,179 Times
in
770 Posts
Guys,
Should VegasJen wear a cheap cycling jersey from Amazon? Asking for a friend.
I have no problem riding clipless pedals...
Should VegasJen wear a cheap cycling jersey from Amazon? Asking for a friend.
I have no problem riding clipless pedals...
#117
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times
in
1,510 Posts
Well, she's a triathlete, so a jersey or suit geared for that would be more versatile. In fact, she probably doesn't spin at very high cadences either. The flat predals should work, but they'll chew up her running shoes faster. No need for any of the other "speed" upgrades like aero bars, skin suit, wetsuit, aero helmet, etc. Run what you brung. Here's something that might be an upgrade, if you believe the hype. She would look pro in these.
Last edited by seypat; 09-12-22 at 08:24 AM.
#118
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,527
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3885 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
OK, I won't take offense to your presumption that I'm an idiot and we'll just address the point. Even if I "learned to shift" and even if I spent time and effort on "bike set up and maintenance" and even if everything worked just perfectly. The point is that I still see no benefit, or at least minimal benefit, to me in the way and normal conditions in which I ride. But people are focusing on shifting and maintenance because that's easier than addressing what I said.
The point of my post really is to counter some of the cycling dogma. "Oh, you have to have this" or "you have to do that", or your not a real cyclist. I may be new to cycling, at least as a serious hobby (ain't no spring chicken here), but I've been around the block a few dozen times. I've learned *some* cyclists are some of the most clique-y people I've ever met. I have only been on the forum for a few months but I've seen new people come in and early on people are advising them to learn to ride clipped in so they think there's some life changing magic that happens when you start riding clipped in.
Flame suit is fine. Thanks for asking. Some of it was venting. I was actually going to post a thread that was a little more well rounded after I finished my observations in a couple weeks. That last experience cut in to that schedule. I spent a half hour yesterday removing the SPD and Look pedals from all my bikes. Never again. And I'm happy to "look bad" to all those people with ages of experience. Judgement goes both ways, you know.
It's funny. I come here with an opinion contrary to cycling dogma and people treat me like I have never ridden a bike before. I took my training wheels off and slapped on a pair of Looks. Ya, that's what happened.
Don't know. Don't care.
Judge however you want. Again, I'm OK with my opinion and those who disagree aren't bothering me in the least. Still here. Nobody is running me off.
The point of my post really is to counter some of the cycling dogma. "Oh, you have to have this" or "you have to do that", or your not a real cyclist. I may be new to cycling, at least as a serious hobby (ain't no spring chicken here), but I've been around the block a few dozen times. I've learned *some* cyclists are some of the most clique-y people I've ever met. I have only been on the forum for a few months but I've seen new people come in and early on people are advising them to learn to ride clipped in so they think there's some life changing magic that happens when you start riding clipped in.
Flame suit is fine. Thanks for asking. Some of it was venting. I was actually going to post a thread that was a little more well rounded after I finished my observations in a couple weeks. That last experience cut in to that schedule. I spent a half hour yesterday removing the SPD and Look pedals from all my bikes. Never again. And I'm happy to "look bad" to all those people with ages of experience. Judgement goes both ways, you know.
It's funny. I come here with an opinion contrary to cycling dogma and people treat me like I have never ridden a bike before. I took my training wheels off and slapped on a pair of Looks. Ya, that's what happened.
Don't know. Don't care.
Judge however you want. Again, I'm OK with my opinion and those who disagree aren't bothering me in the least. Still here. Nobody is running me off.
What's the point of that paragraph? I learned to ride a bike. It takes time. When I got to college and bought a used 10-speed with toe clips and straps, it was a revelation. I was turbine-powered. Why? Because I already knew how to pedal, deep down in my spinal ganglia. I never fell over, because I knew how to steer a bike at all speeds and could always reach down, loosen a strap, and pull my foot out.
30 years later when I returned to cycling, clipless pedals were even better, so easy to get in and out of, nothing to it.
So. Beginner opinions are worthless. When starting a new sport, the thing to do is to ape your betters. They're doing it right. You'll figure out why they do things the way they do in time, if you stay with that sport that is. Just keep at it and try to keep your emotions in check. It's OK to cry from frustration. Been there, done that. Just keep at it. Or quit, whatever. It's your life.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
Likes For Carbonfiberboy:
#119
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times
in
1,510 Posts
It reminds me of my father. He would complain about how going to watch a pro golf tournament in person would mess up his swing and game. He was/is a bogey golfer.
#120
Senior Member
... or just get Shimano SH-56 SPD cleats that allow panic unclipping in any direction. - If you believe clipless pedals will benefit you in the first place (they likely wont).
#121
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,380
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4386 Post(s)
Liked 4,827 Times
in
2,983 Posts
Most people who ride regularly (especially road bikes and pretty much everyone in competition) see a benefit from clipping in. Before clipless pedals were invented the majority of those same riders used toe-clips for the same benefits. Of course you can ride effectively with flat pedals too and they are easier for beginners to get going and more convenient in certain situations (for example I prefer riding flat pedals off-road if I need to do a bit more walking/hiking). Clipping in is not so much about reassurance, it's more about optimal foot positioning and technique. It's simply the best known solution for optimal pedaling and hence why every single bike racer uses them, from road through to XC mtb.
#122
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,184
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2566 Post(s)
Liked 5,599 Times
in
2,906 Posts
What in god’s name is an “oil storm”? Ok creative types….
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
#124
Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 69
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Liked 13 Times
in
12 Posts
I'm 3.5 years removed from being a newbie. I average between 85-100 mi a week on road & gravel bikes. I rode flat pedals for about 6-8 months before following the advice of several in my group. They recommended Crank Bros eggbeaters. I've been on them ever since on multiple road & gravel bikes. I like the feeling of being connected w' the bike. I like using a super stiff shoe (Sidi Tiger) that doesn't flex. I started w' a cheaper Sidi w' hard plastic soles & will probably never return to them.
I do intend to try the larger platform of Shimano SPD SL road pedals soon. I have the pedals & shoes, but have been reluctant to mess w' what's been working for me & just have not taken the time to switch.
I do intend to try the larger platform of Shimano SPD SL road pedals soon. I have the pedals & shoes, but have been reluctant to mess w' what's been working for me & just have not taken the time to switch.
Likes For prj71: