How much difference does going clipless make?

[missfire]

I think this post grew a life of its own, sadly mostly due to pointless bickering.

To answer the question in hand it is not a matter of opinion that the same cadence and gearing will produce the same results no matter the technique, it is a simple matter of fact, or as Dusty put it, a matter of physics. What could have been argued was that a better technique due to going clipless allowed a person to cycle at a higher cadence or a higher gear for the same effort, but that is not what was stated.

I am new to this forum, but not to cycling. Having read this thread, the technique thing was previously mentioned, I think, now confused. But it does seem that there is a hidden agenda in two people not liking each other.

 

[ianrauk]

Bickering posts have been removed.
Any more then thread bans beckon.

 

[MontyVeda]

I am new to this forum, but not to cycling. Having read this thread, the technique thing was previously mentioned, I think, now confused. But it does seem that there is a hidden agenda in two people not liking each other.

like helmet, bells and headphone debates... there's somethings some of us will never agree on, and the perceived performance benefits of clipless pedals is one of them.

At the end of the day if you like clipless pedals, good... if you prefer flat pedals, good. It's swings and roundabouts.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I recently went out on flats (being used to toe clips and then SDPs) and found that my lifting foot had a habit of lifting off the pedal entirely. And in the wet on a bumpy surface that is not a very secure feeling and my feet were actually sliding around. My feeling was that, though any power added by lifting is minimal, the use of weight on the foot that's going up means that the driving, downward foot is lifting the other as well as shifting the bike. The bumpier it is, and the more weight applied to the lifting foot, means there's need for an even greater counterweight.

 

[Dusty Bin]

But wouldn't it use slightly less downward force meaning those particular muscles may get a little less tired giving more energy for faster cycling?

The short answer is 'no it wouldn't'. All you are doing is transferring effort - and therefore fatigue - from one muscle group to another - the energy usage is probably the same. I did answer this question earlier, but for some strange reason, the post was removed.

 

[MontyVeda]

I recently went out on flats .... my feet were actually sliding around. ...

that's called cr@p flats... some of them are awful and frankly aren't fit for purpose... some are much better than others.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

that's called cr@p flats... some of them are awful and frankly aren't fit for purpose... some are much better than others.

It's also because I, or my body memory, hadn't remembered that I had to change technique properly. I've lifted feet off the pedals, forgetting that zero or minus weight on the pedal means no grip or no pedal......but still, in the clipless debate, every ounce of weight used to keep your lifting foot stable on the pedal is an extra ounce that the downstroking foot has to apply. A more experienced rider on flats would do a lot better than I did, certainly. The only disadvantage to SPDs that I've noticed is that, in my experience, is that they can be dangerous to drive in.

 

[User6179]

It's also because I, or my body memory, hadn't remembered that I had to change technique properly. I've lifted feet off the pedals, forgetting that zero or minus weight on the pedal means no grip or no pedal......but still, in the clipless debate, every ounce of weight used to keep your lifting foot stable on the pedal is an extra ounce that the downstroking foot has to apply. A more experienced rider on flats would do a lot better than I did, certainly. The only disadvantage to SPDs that I've noticed is that, in my experience, is that they can be dangerous to drive in.

Your not clipping in when you drive are you

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Your not clipping in when you drive are you

No, but I have had the cleats jam on the side of the accelerator - not good if you ever need to brake! I took my shoes off at the first chance I got while my passenger admonished me about driving shoeless. It may have been illegal but it was far, far safer.

 

[screenman]

With Sky and the like looking for small gains on every component, maybe the people who say they make no difference should let them know that flats are as quick.

Clipped in at all times whilst pedaling on all my bikes, I would hasten to add all of my cycling is the sporting type and does not involve trips to shops etc.

 

[screenman]

No, but I have had the cleats jam on the side of the accelerator - not good if you ever need to brake! I took my shoes off at the first chance I got while my passenger admonished me about driving shoeless. It may have been illegal but it was far, far safer.

Nothing illegal, it is a myth.

 

[Dusty Bin]

With Sky and the like looking for small gains on every component, maybe the people who say they make no difference should let them know that flats are as quick.

Point nicely missed there....

 

[screenman]

Point nicely missed there....

That was a vodka induced post, so can you explain where I went wrong.

 

[Dusty Bin]

That was a vodka induced post, so can you explain where I went wrong.

Clipless isn't about speed - never has been.

 

[albion]

For reasons, I use platform pedals.

However a recent ride with clips I really did notice the consistent force I could apply, including a more forwards force.
For safety, with platforms, especially in the wet the force applied is mainly downwards.