Which Pedals?

[cyberknight]

I haven't used toe straps in about 15 years when i 1st cycled regularly and then i moved on to look classic pedals fairly quickly so i cannot comment.

I Just got the bike 2nd hand so the 1st thing i did was transfer my spds from the hyrbrid then hunt for another set of spds so i could ride either.

As i do all my cycling as a commuter i would not use straps as i would imagine they are more of a faff to get in and out of than spds.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

for all those recommending clipless....unless you are a racer...read this

http://www.rivbike.com/article/clothing/the_shoes_ruse

 

[AlanW]

for all those recommending clipless....unless you are a racer...read this

http://www.rivbike.com/article/clothing/the_shoes_ruse

IMHO that is nothing more than a load of mindless dribble, and I suspect that the author still thinks the world is flat and made of cheese.

But free speech and all that, so everyone is entitled to an opinion, and mine is that the authors an utter cock!

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

...bit extreme. i thought it made sense. he must know his stuff, has more experience than me

 

[GrasB]

This sounds a little like the pro/not pro helmet groups, both sides trying to maximise the evidence for their side of the argument. Yes clipless has advantages, it also has disadvantages.

From being on a power meter I can tell you that when using clipless pedals in the saddle when climbing/under heavy loads I do use the upstroke, this extra power was sustained for a reasonable period & gave a small but noticeable output gain, interestingly at the top of the stroke I was pulling my foot through the last 10 degrees of the upward stroke. The transition from seated to standing & the reverse is much smoother. But the important ones were I'm putting power into the pedals for more of the stroke compared to flat pedals, or for the same power output I was wasn't pressing on the pedals as hard & also my pedals motion was noticeably smother. In short with clipless I can travel a little faster for longer than on flat pedals.

Most of the disadvantages are well known or listed on the site so I'll not document them.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

This sounds a little like the pro/not pro helmet groups, both sides trying to maximise the evidence for their side of the argument. Yes clipless has advantages, it also has disadvantages.

From being on a power meter I can tell you that when using clipless peddles in the saddle when climbing/under heavy loads I do use the upstroke, this extra power was sustained for a reasonable period & gave a small but noticeable output gain, interestingly at the top of the stroke I was pulling my foot through the last 10 degrees of the upward stroke. The transition from seated to standing & the reverse is much smoother. But the important ones were I'm putting power into the peddle for more of the stroke compared to flat peddles, or for the same power output I was wasn't pressing on the peddle as hard & also my peddle motion was noticeably smother. In short with clipless I can travel a little faster for longer than on flat peddles.

Most of the disadvantages are well known or listed on the site so I'll not document them.

is this worth all the extra expense and loss of flexibility in use? i decided it was not, so now i'm back to flats. rss, does not sound nice. clipless = possible rss, flats = no chance rss. simples

 

[ASC1951]

http://www.rivbike.com/article/clothing/the_shoes_ruse

Yes, it is twaddle, isn't it! He doesn't mention the most obvious advantage of cleats, that they keep your foot in the most efficient position.

Of course toeclips do that just as easily. Most of us 'experienced riders' find cleats easier, but for a floating foot the Wellgos that PB71 has chosen will do very well. I had the Shimano version and they were excellent pedals.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Yes, it is twaddle, isn't it! He doesn't mention the most obvious advantage of cleats, that they keep your foot in the most efficient position.

Of course toeclips do that just as easily. Most of us 'experienced riders' find cleats easier, but for a floating foot the Wellgos that PB71 has chosen will do very well. I had the Shimano version and they were excellent pedals.

are you a stand up comedian? anyone who has ridden a bike is experienced. i'm 40 and have been riding bikes since i was 3!! a little red trike with yellow wheels. the op made it clear that he did not want clipless, but here are the holier than thou saying 'you must get cleats'.

just thought i would give a little perspective.

please feel free to actually make valid points of argument. instead of just saying "he talks twaddle". point out why you think he talks twaddle with references of your own point of view and why you think your point of view is correct.

lets face it, any monkey can say "he talks twaddle"

 

[cyberknight]

I would not say clipless is better , i just cant really make a comparison as i have not used clips for so long i cannot make a valid comparison.

to be fair it can be a nightmare to set up cleats unless you get a set with good float.Horses for courses etc go with what suits you.

 

[GrasB]

is this worth all the extra expense and loss of flexibility in use? i decided it was not, so now i'm back to flats. rss, does not sound nice. clipless = possible rss, flats = no chance rss. simples

Oh and FYI all my pedals have one side flat the other cleated. WHAT loss of flexibility?

After a re-read, a lot of the bits in there are talking about working around problems related to incorrect seat/bottom bracket/pedal position to start with. If I was to have the pedal centred near the arch of my foot I would be over-extending my leg, if it's right there then when I'm closer to the ball of my foot my knee is to high to apply reasonable force to the pedal causing an enlarged dead spot at the top of the stroke. The result is even with free movement on flat pedals it turns out I keep my foot in an identical position no matter what the load or how I was riding.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Oh and FYI all my peddles have one side flat the other cleated. WHAT loss of flexibility?

come on. everytime you unclip you are trying to tell me that the peddle is ALWAYS the right way up and clips in first time? i also have those peddles on my mtb, which i ride clippless, so i know what a pain in the ass they can be a traffic lights.

all i was doing was posting up a link so the op had a flip side of the go clipless bullies.

plus i must admit, a little fun was had at your expense

 

[GrasB]

With the A520s I use I've never noticed a problem really, mine tend to sit vertically so I just push down on the front & they clip in (just looked now because I wasn't sure what was happening). I had more problems with the first M520 clipless pedals as they would tend to sit at the unclip angle so you had to look down & actually see how far you needed to rotate the pedals.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

the article missed the point about the rigidity of the soles of the shoe; it's not to stop the foot flexing, rather to make sure that the power from the down stroke is all pushed through the pedals, not flexing the shoe sole, hence improving power output.

that may sound like it only is of use to racers, but over 100 mile rides you need all the help you can get…

 

[pb71]

Didn't want to stir up such a heated debate.... Was just after was some positive feedback from the pedals i have choosen, and whether or not anyone could recommend an alternative. With regards to the "clipless or not" debate, as i said i have been using pedals with straps for a few years now and it's just what i am used to. Not saying that in time i would not change my preference, after reading the pro's and con's on each type.

Anyway thanks to all!!

I've now ordered the Wellgo pedals, so will be up and running on my new roadie soon!!!

 

[alecstilleyedye]

there's no right or wrong with pedals really; it's a personal choice. many people i know alway ride in spds, as they are easier to live with off the bike. my personal take on it is that if i'm riding 50 miles and walking 10 yards, i can live with the inconvenience of look pedals/cleats off the bike given the advantages they give on the bike.