Clipless Pedals: Are they really worth it?
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In to see where this goes.
I am thinking of getting a road bike in the spring and everyone that bikes says I need switch to clipped pedals when I do that.
You do not need to switch to clipless. Just get high quality flat pedals with cycling specific flat shoes. The performance difference between the two are negligible, but flat pedals will not *kitten* up your legs.0 -
chivalryder wrote: »In to see where this goes.
I am thinking of getting a road bike in the spring and everyone that bikes says I need switch to clipped pedals when I do that.
You do not need to switch to clipless. Just get high quality flat pedals with cycling specific flat shoes. The performance difference between the two are negligible, but flat pedals will not *kitten* up your legs.
Need? Probably not. Will it make your riding experience more enjoyable? Absolutely.
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More food for thought, has creditable sources in the article:
http://exercisesforinjuries.com/clipless-pedals-enhancing-performance-of-covering-up-dysfunction/
"The truth is that you should be able to ride a bike relatively well with some good flat pedals and shoes. In one study (Mornieux et al. Int J Sports Med 2008; 29:817-822) it was found that the pedal stroke of elite cyclists looked the same on flats and clipless pedals. Another study (Korff et al. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2007; 39:991-995) showed that pedaling in circles or pulling through the top of the pedal stroke resulted in a less powerful and efficient pedal stroke – in other words, there is no “magical” pedal stroke that is only available by attaching your foot to the pedals."0 -
For all of you who say that clipless pedals make cycling better, please cite some sources that prove your point.0
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Just going to cover all my bases here...
I disagree with everything chivalryder has said.0 -
"However, an active pulling-up action on the pedal during upstroke increased the pedalling effectiveness, while reducing net mechanical efficiency."
Efficiency went down because of increased energy expenditure, however effectiveness (increased power, assumably) increased.
Small study, which unfortunately, is really all there seems to be right now. Also doesn't look at the whole riding process, including increased efficiency in handling.
Here's a counterpoint to yours.
http://yadda.icm.edu.pl/yadda/element/bwmeta1.element.elsevier-ad54d2b4-a00b-3546-9e64-0aa7f70efe88
And your data for your claim that clipless pedals will separate your knee joints? Considering the number of people riding, and the number using clipless pedals, this would obviously be a huge health issue to be resolved before so much of the professional workforce comes up lame or crippled.
Also, you feel there is no energy lost between shoe and interface when a rider is using a tennis shoe versus a rigid riding boot? Interesting.0 -
chivalryder wrote: »I suspect the reason why you saw such an improvement in performance was because you were going from crappy flat pedals with running shoes to purpose built cycling shoes with clipless pedals.
Have you ever ridden on a high quality, large aluminum flat pedal with purpose build flat shoes?
Seriously? I know what you are advocating, and while I agree it is a good option, and have used that kind of pedal myself on a mountain bike, to suggest that is appropriate for road cycling is downright moronic. You don't ride a road bike like you would a mountain bike and the power transfer loss of flat pedals is easily measured, even "good ones".
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That's not relevant.chivalryder wrote: »I suspect the reason why you saw such an improvement in performance was because you were going from crappy flat pedals with running shoes to purpose built cycling shoes with clipless pedals.
Have you ever ridden on a high quality, large aluminum flat pedal with purpose build flat shoes?
OP is using a crappy flat pedal with tennis shoes now.
Are there high quality flat pedals with purpose built rigid boots? Sure, I could believe that. Is there a purpose for them in road cycling? No.
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chivalryder wrote: »For all of you who say that clipless pedals make cycling better, please cite some sources that prove your point.
Don't need a source. I am a study of N=1 and they make it more enjoyable for me. Never said they were better. Seriously, you can rest your quads while you use your hammies to pull up for extended periods of time. That saves a lot and adds to your endurance.
And I have various bikes from a single speed with cages to a hybrid with flat pedals. There is a difference.
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Also, you feel there is no energy lost between shoe and interface when a rider is using a tennis shoe versus a rigid riding boot? Interesting.
I would never suggest anyone use a tennis shoe while riding a bicycle. I would suggest they use a quality flat pedal (Wellgo, or similar) and some cycling specific flats (Five-Ten or DMC, etc.).
Riding on tennis shoes for any extended period of time would be foolish.0 -
"Scraping mud" or "pulling up" is only a way to introduce newbie riders to using them. If anyone actually rides that way for very long they haven't learned to use the pedal.0
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Maybe I haven't learned then, but it works, so I don't much care.0
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I am thinking of getting a road bike in the spring and everyone that bikes says I need switch to clipped pedals when I do that.
You don't need to, but it makes a huge difference to reducing your fatigue and getting most out of your training.
And from the perspective of a runner, who rides, it makes a big difference to injury risk mitigation as the push/ pull balance helps to alleviate a number of lower leg issues.
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Riding with clips vs without clipping in is like night and day. I wouldn't even think about riding any other way anymore. You lose so much power when you're not clipped in...not to mention, when you really start putting in the miles, your feet get pretty tired without the support of a good cycling shoe. Don't get me started on climbing...
I remember being really intimidated initially...took me about one ride around the block and I couldn't believe I had waited so long and was so intimidated by clipping in. I've never had an accident or anything due to clipping in either...they felt pretty natural to me from the get go.0 -
chivalryder wrote: »I suspect the reason why you saw such an improvement in performance was because you were going from crappy flat pedals with running shoes to purpose built cycling shoes with clipless pedals.
Have you ever ridden on a high quality, large aluminum flat pedal with purpose build flat shoes?
Seriously? I know what you are advocating, and while I agree it is a good option, and have used that kind of pedal myself on a mountain bike, to suggest that is appropriate for road cycling is downright moronic. You don't ride a road bike like you would a mountain bike and the power transfer loss of flat pedals is easily measured, even "good ones".
If you're racing, I'd agree with you, clipless pedals are the way to go. However, do you really think the OP needs to get the most out of his power stroke with the road cycling he is doing? I fully understand that cycling dynamics of road and mountain biking are different. If you're riding casually the difference between the two pedal types doesn't make a big difference yet greatly increases the risk of injury.0 -
Also, just to be clear... we are speaking specifically about road bikes and road cycling here. Mountain biking is a different animal.0
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chivalryder wrote: »I would never suggest anyone use a tennis shoe while riding a bicycle. I would suggest they use a quality flat pedal (Wellgo, or similar) and some cycling specific flats (Five-Ten or DMC, etc.).
Ah I get it, you're approaching it from a bmx perspective. Understood now.
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chivalryder wrote: »I would never suggest anyone use a tennis shoe while riding a bicycle. I would suggest they use a quality flat pedal (Wellgo, or similar) and some cycling specific flats (Five-Ten or DMC, etc.).
Ah I get it, you're approaching it from a bmx perspective. Understood now.
Yep - he's a former mountain biker. Context helps a lot.0 -
chivalryder wrote: »I would never suggest anyone use a tennis shoe while riding a bicycle. I would suggest they use a quality flat pedal (Wellgo, or similar) and some cycling specific flats (Five-Ten or DMC, etc.).
Ah I get it, you're approaching it from a bmx perspective. Understood now.
I have never ridden a BMX in my life and likely never will.
My background is mountain biking, a lot of it was single speed, where I did ride clipless. I also have a lot of road cycling experience.
If I were competing, I would ride clipless again. However, I would train on flats because clipless hides your pedal stroke flaws. You have to be a better cyclist to ride quickly on flats. You can be lazy using clipless.
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Ok, sorry, not BMX, MTB. Not relevant though.0
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OK so for perspective I am coming from a background in road cycling and Ironman triathlon. Riding with flat pedals is not an option for what I do.0
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"Scraping mud" or "pulling up" is only a way to introduce newbie riders to using them. If anyone actually rides that way for very long they haven't learned to use the pedal.
^^^This.
"Pulling up" will lead to knee injury.
It's also the #1 thing you hear from people boasting about riding clipless, saying it improves hill climbing, etc.
The only thing it will do is mess up your legs.0 -
chivalryder wrote: »"Scraping mud" or "pulling up" is only a way to introduce newbie riders to using them. If anyone actually rides that way for very long they haven't learned to use the pedal.
^^^This.
"Pulling up" will lead to knee injury.
It's also the #1 thing you hear from people boasting about riding clipless, saying it improves hill climbing, etc.
The only thing it will do is mess up your legs.
I have ridden countless thousands of miles on speedplay pedals. I have never messed up my legs or knees. YDIW if you are messing yourself up with clipless...0 -
OK so for perspective I am coming from a background in road cycling and Ironman triathlon. Riding with flat pedals is not an option for what I do.
And this I fully understand and respect. I'm not saying "no one should use clipless pedals, ever," but I don't see the OP training to do an Ironman event next year, are you? He looks to me like a casual rider who wants in slowly increase his mileage over time and is is looking to improve his health and fitness.
Clipless pedals are an excellent, specialized tool, like a weight lifting belt. It has a purpose, but casual cycling is not that purpose. It's far too easy to injure yourself using them and they offer very little benefit for someone who isn't racing in them. If anything, it will make you a worse rider because you don't need as much skill to spin in them.0 -
While I still disagree with this, I can at least respect your position. I only say that because the OP bought a "carbon bike" which indicates to me he is at least a little more than a casual rider. The casual rider wouldn't spend the $1000 extra that a carbon bike would cost over a similarly equipped aluminum bike.
As for Ironman events... one for sure on my schedule for 2015, likely adding a second one. Yes I am crazy.0 -
Biggest thing for me being clipped in is that you can rest your quads and use your hammies for extended periods of time if need be.
They will definitely increase your speed, endurance, handling and efficiency.
This, and it also helps with hills. I love them and can't get on a bike without them. It feels like I am one with the bike.
My wife on the other hand, just cant get the hang of them.
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They have pedals where one side is flat and the other accepts clippless shoes. I bought them for my road bike (which I only ride on a trainer for cardio because I'm a chicken!). So perhaps you can try those out by clipping into one pedal and not the other until you get used to it? At my LBS one of the guys there said that, generally, people fall with clipless when they are either stopped or going very slow. All the comments on here seemed to support that. Point is that you probably will hurt your ego more than your body when you fall (I hear everyone does at least once)...
Two years ago, I broke my ankle... No. I obliterated my ankle when I fell off my hybrid in the road. I tried to scale uneven ground and went crashing to the pavement in the middle of traffic. I was in regular sneakers and using flat pedals. I instinctively put my foot down to brace my fall. I was going at least 17mph. The road jarred my ankle and yanked it right off the bone(s). By the end of my tumble my ankle was hanging on by the tendons only. So flat pedals can also be dangerous. I kinna wish I had on clips that day!!! BTW, 9 pins and a plate were waiting for me in surgery that night, along with 6 months of rehab. Oh yeah, and about 50lbs of fat from overeating and not moving!0 -
chivalryder wrote: »"Scraping mud" or "pulling up" is only a way to introduce newbie riders to using them. If anyone actually rides that way for very long they haven't learned to use the pedal.
^^^This.
"Pulling up" will lead to knee injury.
It's also the #1 thing you hear from people boasting about riding clipless, saying it improves hill climbing, etc.
The only thing it will do is mess up your legs.
I have ridden countless thousands of miles on speedplay pedals. I have never messed up my legs or knees. YDIW if you are messing yourself up with clipless...
Yup. I'm not going to lie, I was doing it wrong because I was ignorant to how to do it right. I simply didn't know any better.
But look at it from the perspective of a complete beginner: They don't know any better either, and simply telling them they need to ride clipless is doing it wrong as well. So many people boast that clipless is great because they can "pull up" on the back stroke. I never, ever hear anyone correct this attitude, and any other benefit clipless pedals create is only noticeable in racing format where you're power output is high and that they hide poor cycling form. The latter isn't exactly a benefit, but most people see it at one because "I switched to clipless and now I'm a better rider!" That's like saying "I could drive a Ferrari with all the driver aids on and I didn't crash! I must be a good driver!" Yeah, try driving that car with driving aids, then try to believe you're a good driver.0 -
Like anything, you aren't going to get better just by buying the latest gadget. You have to know, or learn, how to use that gadget. There is a wealth of advantage to be had, but it doesn't come from just simply adding it to your bike and calling it a day.0
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