Do clip in shoes really give that much of an advantage?

[Blowfish]

Took my first new road bike (alllez elite specialized) out for its first ride today with a friend of mine that is a few years younger and fitter than me.

We both have very similar bikes yet I was unexpectantly so much faster than him. Over 25 miles I must have stopped 6 times to wait for him to catch up.

Could the advantage be down to me having clip in shoes/pedals and him not?

 

[StuAff]

Perhaps he's not actually that fit- at least on a bike. Clipless would undoubtedly help, but I wouldn't have thought by that much....

 

[gbb]

There's so many variables Blowfish, but i doubt the pedals made that much difference.
The variables ?
Is he already a road bike rider ? Its just a normal ride to him perhaps, some days you're on it, some days its just not there, perhaps this was one of his off days.
You however have the advantage and 'zing' that you're pumped up, excited etc on your first ride. That will give you an advantage (in theory). But, if he was on an off day (and we all have them), your day will come unfortunately .

Then perhaps there's the scenario he rides a roadbike, so he's fast..yes ?. Not neccessarily so. Ive ridden roadbikes for 10 to 15 years now. I'm faster than a lot of younger guys, but occasionally you meet a guy who's older, faster and fitter then yourself. Its a bit of a come down, and then you think, sod it, i'm still fitter than 90% of people i know, (cyclists or not)...i'm happy with that.

 

[oldfatfool]

The biggest advantage is for comically falling over outside your own front gate

 

[Thomk]

Were you faster on the hills? Maybe you have stronger legs.

 

[Blowfish]

He is also new to cycling and today was his first outing. He is a bit of a fitness fanatic whereas I am not so I automatically assumed he would be fitter and faster than me and now he is not I thought maybe it was my pedal/shoes that gave me the advantage. Great feeling if it's not down to the pedals!
Got the cycling bug in a big way now can't wait to get out again!

 

[Blowfish]

?

The biggest advantage is for comically falling over outside your own front gate

 

[Blowfish]

Yes on the hills and straights by a big margin!

Were you faster on the hills? Maybe you have stronger legs.

 

[fossyant]

Ah cycling is very specific fitness. Don't let the gym addicts tell you they are super fit. Cycle fit is very different.

Clipless help in climbing and sprinting. Just means you can put full power into the leg stroke. It's only an advantage once you know how to use the full leg stroke, it's 360 pedalling. I don't ride a bike without clipless, even towing my daughter on a tag a long

 

[oldfatfool]

?

After riding over 300km since going clipless and never having a clipless moment I was bedding in some new pads this afternoon ..........

 

[uberguru]

I think Fossyant hit the nail on the head. It depends upon "fit for what"!, I am a seasoned elite squash player who is considered to be fit, however when I was forced to extend my cross training portfolio in cross country running and cycling I was certainly not fit for the purpose. The benefit in having a wide portfolio of discplines does enhance my squash and its far better scenery than the same four walls all the time!

 

[MattHB]

For me the benefits of being clipless aren't performance gains. Once set up right (this took me a little while), and once you've learned to pedal in a circle it's hugely comfy, and extremely nice not to have to fiddle with foot position. I adore the feeling of being connected to the bike as well. It's a cliche but it's a real 'man and machine' feeling.

I am sure tho that circular pedaling (power on all 4 strokes) increases endurance as your using different muscles for some of them.

I'd never go back now, and I've never fallen.

 

[Graham1426]

Agree with above poster, clips make you "feel part of the bike" would never go back, but i doubt thay would give you that margin of advantage over your cycling buddy.

 

[MontyVeda]

ah this is refreshing... I've heard a fair bit of bull regarding clips over the years, including "50% more pedal power!"

 

[PaulSecteur]

I rode my brothers bike with normal flat pedals the other day... HORRIBLE!!!

As fossy said, cycle fitness is very specific. Ther have been a few posts where decent runners have decided to try cycling and found it hard going.