Clip-ins vs. Not... Advice?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of using clip-ins from people who use them? Thinking about switching to a two sided pedal, one block or flat, the other clipped. What say ya'll?

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Permalink Reply by Irvin Steinert on May 21, 2015 at 2:36am

If you generally do short trips and wear street clothes, platforms are the way to go. Some folks don't like the feeling of being latched or lashed to the pedals, only one way to find out...try it. If you ride any distance or view the riding experience as a "workout" then "clip-in" is the way to go.

Strange how "clipless" pedals are the only kind that have clips. The "old timey" straps had a metal portion on the front to hold the strap open. They called that a clip (sort of like a paper "clip" type of clip). Today the word "clip" seems to have a meaning more like "clasp".

Anyway I think Dana means to "secure or not secure". That is the question.

Personal preference is the answer. If you are serious about biking (and your are not afraid of it or religiously opposed to it) I say give it a try.

Personally, I like Egg Beaters for the "mountain" style, Shimano SPD-SL for road bike, platform for just going to the store; but then - I have three bikes.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on May 26, 2015 at 11:57am

Wow!   Zombie Thread.

I'm also a fan of Eggbeaters, but the older style that you can fully disassemble without a machine shop and get at the spring to adjust it.

The nice thing about foot retention is not so much any "efficiency gain" but mostly just not needing to worry about keeping your feet on the pedals or spinning off at higher cadences.   This goes triple when the miles start to rack up and you start to get really tired.  The effort of keeping your feet on the pedals is always there, but it adds up over time and the ability to take it out of the equation adds up to more energy for riding the bike, and being able to spin faster without needing to waste energy (both mental and physical) keeping your feet solidly planted on the pedals. 

Permalink Reply by Irvin Steinert on May 27, 2015 at 3:11am

oops....you just described why they are more "efficient"

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on May 27, 2015 at 5:20am
Second-order efficiency then.

Most people who tout the efficiency of pedal retention speak of using all the muscles, and using the up stroke as the foot comes back up. What I'm talking about is an efficiency of motion, with fewer losses due to pushing down on the upstroke very slightly to keep the foot on a platform pedal without positive foot retention.
Permalink Reply by Irvin Steinert on May 29, 2015 at 2:14pm

we agree completely

Permalink Reply by Jim Shaw on May 21, 2015 at 8:52am

I have clipless pedals on my road bike and regular, off-the-rack, block pedals on my "commuter" single speed bike. I much prefer the latter when riding through Loop traffic. If I have to stop short or weave through congestion, I like being able to set my foot down any time I feel the need.

In fact, the other day on the road bike I embarrassingly tipped over at a traffic light with my feet stuck in the clipless pedals, while in a game of who can wait longer before going, as I timed a green light and the guy running the red light the other way slowed down to wait for me...

 

But, out on the open road, the clipless are for sure better!

Permalink Reply by mweerd on May 27, 2015 at 7:48am

Yeah - I think I would feel the same way. I wan to go clipless - part of my commute is on S LFT - but for the city - I thinks not so good.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on May 27, 2015 at 11:44am

On my CX bike I've been using a set of nicer clip-type pedals I refurbished from a pair I picked up at Working bikes, and put on a set of VO half-clips.  


They don't work quite as well for retention as my Eggbeaters, but they do a really good job of keeping my foot solidly planted in the correct position and I almost never spin out of them even when I'm super tired and not paying attention or trying at all to keep my feet in place.

They pop right out though just by pulling back or to the side.  Eggbeaters come off with just a flick of the heal but there are times I forget about them for an instant and get that "oh crap!" feeling until I remember to kick my heels out.  The half-clips are just as natural to get out of as any platform.  You just can't pull straight up or push forward.  

Permalink Reply by Paul Oppenheim on May 21, 2015 at 9:04am

Been using Power-Grips straps for years.  Good for commuting and recreational riding without the risk of injury from being clipped-in.  Use any shoes, and still the advantage of being able to pull on the upstroke.

http://www.powergrips.com/

Paul O

Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on May 21, 2015 at 5:29pm

I didn't like those either.... :-(

Permalink Reply by J2O on May 21, 2015 at 9:17am

I have clipless pedals on most of my bikes and, in almost 30 years of using them, I've fallen a total of twice.  The first, well, may have involved a lot of margaritas.  The second, ice formed on the retaining mechanism and I toppled right over at a stop light.  In both cases, the only thing I bruised was my ego.  Properly setup, clipless pedals are superior to toe clips and platforms.  clipless systems allow more muscle groups to be used in your pedal stroke and have a much less chance to come loose under heavy pedaling or slippery conditions.

However.

With both toe clips and platforms, you can use regular street shoes.  Street shoes on clipless pedals are uncomfortable and may be dangerous.  Also, cycling shoes have a cleat that will slip on steps hard surfaces and gouge wood floors.

If this is for a regular commuter, I'd recommend a MTB pedal with MTB or crossover shoes.  I use Pearl Izumi X-Alp shoes for commuting.  They look like sneakers, are comfortable for short walking, reasonably stable on the bike, and their bigger tread helps prevent damage to floors.  If this is just for a bar bike or trips to the park, go with platforms.  If it's a do-everything bike, I like your idea of double-sided pedals.  Try to use the clipless system as much as possible, and platforms where needed.

Permalink Reply by Paul Nelson on May 22, 2015 at 4:09am

Clipless pedals work well in most situations and are idea (once you get over the embarrassment of wearing them). Clipping in and clipping out become a problem with some pedals when it gets muddy (snow you can usual kick through).

don't think clipless are ideal for any fix-geared system, as they tend to wear easier and the small mechanics inside break. Even had some bad luck using the Crank brothers. Only willo use toe-straps for foot retention on these.

Wintertime and off the bike walking can be a bumper. Might be better off just taking a wrench and changing the pedals until you get tired of buying new shoes.

Happy riding!!!

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