The Shoes Ruse?

[Garethgas]

I have flats on my folder so I can compare the experience which is why I can state a preference rather than 'I have never used clipless pedals so I can't compare them'.

Or is it just a perceived preference?
If I spent £100 on special dedicated shoes then another £50 on pedals, I'd convince myself too.
There are quite a few interesting articles about all this online.

 

[Garethgas]

I've used both, I think it is a matter of horses for courses. My thought is that, if you do a lot of riding with long periods of pedaling, clip less may be fine. Other conditions not so much.

I agree. I suppose it depends a lot on your personal preference but if enough people preach the same thing, it becomes a fact.
I feel the same about shorts too...not necessary at all.

 

[raleighnut]

Personally I prefer cycling clothes and shoes to normal casual clothes for 2 reasons.
1 Cycling gear is better on a bike
2 I got fed up knackering jeans and nice suede trainers or desert boots by cycling in them.

 

[Roadrider48]

I use flats around London on my shopping/utility bike and spd-sl's on my good bikes for long leisure rides when you don't have to keep stopping.
But whatever is comfortable for everyone is cool.

 

[Cubist]

I ride with clipless pedals both on and off road. The advantage of being clipped in off road, especially on nadgery climbs is brilliant- being able to put in a toe tap or quick pull up where there isn't room to push down for example . What's more, on any off road ride you'll clip in and out more times than you can count. On a tight steep switchback descent a dab may be required and with the right shoes and pedals I can unclip, dab, and be back on the power in the blink of an eye. This translates into massive confidence levels, especially when you are used to being connected to the bike on rutted, bumpy surfaces. It teaches you balance and gives you a benefit of being able to use bodyweight to steer and alter line, pull up, hop and shift weight around the centre of gravity. I can do most of that on pinned pedals and specialist grippy shoes, but there are occasions where you lose a pedal, and the penalty is ripped shins!

On road that familiarity with clipless pedals means unclipping and clipping back in becomes second nature.

 

[Garethgas]

I ride with clipless pedals both on and off road. The advantage of being clipped in off road, especially on nadgery climbs is brilliant- being able to put in a toe tap or quick pull up where there isn't room to push down for example . What's more, on any off road ride you'll clip in and out more times than you can count. On a tight steep switchback descent a dab may be required and with the right shoes and pedals I can unclip, dab, and be back on the power in the blink of an eye. This translates into massive confidence levels, especially when you are used to being connected to the bike on rutted, bumpy surfaces. It teaches you balance and gives you a benefit of being able to use bodyweight to steer and alter line, pull up, hop and shift weight around the centre of gravity. I can do most of that on pinned pedals and specialist grippy shoes, but there are occasions where you lose a pedal, and the penalty is ripped shins!

On road that familiarity with clipless pedals means unclipping and clipping back in becomes second nature.

I must admit, that is a very good answer.
No 'science', no copy and paste 'what the book says', no hype, just your own experience.

 

[morrisman]

Or is it just a perceived preference?
If I spent £100 on special dedicated shoes then another £50 on pedals, I'd convince myself too.
There are quite a few interesting articles about all this online.

No! it is a real preference, so far you imply that I am gullible and sheep like in my following of fashion and that I only like clipless as I have spent lots of money on them so they must be good. How do you have this deep insight into my psyche?

 

[Longshot]

It took me a long time to switch to clipless - I wasn't convinced of the benefit. I now have clipless on my road bike and double sided on my hydrid as I sometimes prefer to cycle in trainers for a quick trip and, also, in heavy traffic commuting prefer to ride unclipped at times.

Did I find a benefit to switching to clipless? yes, I believe I did. It hasn't turned me into Bradley Wiggins but it has kept my feet more stable on the pedals and, I believe, allowed me to put a bit more power through the pedals, especially uphill.

 

[Garethgas]

No! it is a real preference, so far you imply that I am gullible and sheep like in my following of fashion and that I only like clipless as I have spent lots of money on them so they must be good. How do you have this deep insight into my psyche?

I have no insight into your (or anyone else's) psyche...you just made that bit up.
I also stated that if I had spent all that money...not you.
You do seem rather touchy about the subject though.

 

[Rob3rt]

Quite frankly, I think the article is a load of cack.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Clipless pedals are fab. I used to run toe-clips and leather cycle shoes and clipless is waaaay better (and toe clips were better than nothing).
In fact I use SPDs on my Audax/Touring bike and Look on my fast bike as each have they're pros and cons. However these are bikes I use for long distance or sporting style events and clipless pedals are simply more comfortable and effective. My other bikes for leisure, pub and utility cycling just have regular pedals and I ride them in normal clothes.
It's horses for courses, clipless pedals are not the answer to a maidens's prayer but they are a valuable addition to the cycling experience the faster and further you go.

 

[jay clock]

My only bike with flats is the Brompton. I am on the one hand much happier than I thought I would be at not being clipped in (4 bikes with M324 SPDs and one with Look Keo) but would still prefer the confidence of being clipped. Would also like the significant benefit (to me) of being able to rotate the starting pedal to the "go " position at junctions

 

[Apollonius]

Interesting point about confidence. I too feel much more confident clipped in as I know I can accelerate if I need to and manoeuvre deftly when properly balanced and connected to the bike. Others feel more confident if able to quickly bale out. I guess it all depends on your approach.

 

[Profpointy]

Interesting point about confidence. I too feel much more confident clipped in as I know I can accelerate if I need to and manoeuvre deftly when properly balanced and connected to the bike. Others feel more confident if able to quickly bale out. I guess it all depends on your approach.

I once unclipped from my road oriented bike in order to descend a dodgy boulder strewn descent. Big mistake - far far safer and more controlable clipped in.

Whilst I have some sympathy with the article - ie special shoes etc are against a (desirable) casual normal activity ethos - clip in shoes are just so vastly superior and certainly a lot easier than toe clips and straps even if the latter allow use of any old shoes. Flat pedals with neither is just crap.

 

[Strider]

Been using SPDs for years and I am certain that they make a difference, particularly when climbing. I can ride up the same hill on the same bike much more easily when clipped in than I can when using flats.