Why go for clipless?

wwolff4 said:

So, how much of a difference in comfort and efficiency is there between platforms and clipless? Is it as significant as the salesman at the LBS say?

Thanks.

Lots of difference and lots more efficiency. Think of it this way...with platform pedals, you are able to put force on each pedal from the 2 o'clock position to about the 6 o'clock position. With clipless pedals, you are capable putting pressure on the pedal all the way around the pedal stroke (this depends a lot on the rider still, but most people switching to clipless notice quite a big difference).

There'll be a HUGE difference. Clipless shoes don't flex anywhere near as much as ordinary shoes/trainers, which means you're not wasting valuable energy. It means that your bike will be easier to push along. It also means it's easier to pull up on the pedals as well as pushing down on them so both your legs are working all the time saving even more energy. On a safety note, your feet are less likely to slip off the pedals when you ride over the odd pothole or stray cat! On the downside, during your first few days using them, you WILL fall off because you'll not be used to disengaging from the pedals. So keep off busy roads and such like. Definately worth the investment though.

Bill.

Efficiency is only part of it. There are also big increases in comfort and control. Even on a road bike, the ability to bunny hop can help you avoid some pretty nasty wrecks.

I just got my pair of Specialized clipless shoes after wearing normal trainers and it has made a vast difference in my pedalling technique. More control up hills aswell. Yeah its a good investment if you want to do more cycling.

wwolff4 said:

Hey i'm new and i would like for someone to convince me why i should (or shouldn't) get clipless pedals and shoes. I have a good road bike and ride up to twenty miles, but I would like to do more. So, how much of a difference in comfort and efficiency is there between platforms and clipless? Is it as significant as the salesman at the LBS say?

Thanks.

I'm a MTB rider. At the beginning I used the normal pedals but a friend of mine encourage me to use the clipless pedals, so I change them and I would say it's a great deal of diference.

I am a recent convert to the world of clipless pedels/shoes; I cannot describe to you the difference it has made in my riding. Power transfer, comfort, length of time in the saddle; all these things have benefitted from this UPgrade.

I stopped bicycling for @ 12 years and went from toeclips to clipless. Forgetting to reach down and loosen the toeclip because you're talking to your neighbor is brutal. Really like the clipless!!!

wwolff4 said:

Hey i'm new and i would like for someone to convince me why i should (or shouldn't) get clipless pedals and shoes. I have a good road bike and ride up to twenty miles, but I would like to do more. So, how much of a difference in comfort and efficiency is there between platforms and clipless? Is it as significant as the salesman at the LBS say?

Thanks.

Be prepared to spend 200 bucks. I just bought 2 pairs of Nike shoes and they were on sale for ($100 each) and pedals a month ago($70). The main thing I've noticed is its easier on your joints. You pedal the same cycling motion. I am working on becoming more efficient by trying to put more power on the up stroke. Overall, If you cycle lots 2 or 3 or more times a week. Yes must get them.

^^Depending on where and what you buy, you can spend as little as $100 or so on clipless pedals and shoes. Of course with the shoes, higher end/higher price generally means higher quality (up to a point that is).

wwolff4 said:

Hey i'm new and i would like for someone to convince me why i should (or shouldn't) get clipless pedals and shoes. I have a good road bike and ride up to twenty miles, but I would like to do more. So, how much of a difference in comfort and efficiency is there between platforms and clipless? Is it as significant as the salesman at the LBS say?

Thanks.

Not using clipless is like walking on all fours. Do you walk on your hands?

If not why not?

Any recommendations on clipless pedal and shoes? There seams to be a variety of different style pedals and shoes, big price difference between them all as well.

-Cameron

Edit: Looking to spend maybe around $250 for shoes and pedals. My main purpose for getting them is training and for race. Do a lot of the pedals for like $100 or so include one or two pedals? It would make sense to come singular but the descriptions make them seams like they come more then one. Also, what kind of shoes work with the speedplay pedals?

You should edit your post and mention how much you want to spend and how much you're going to use them because it is an open ended question.

I like my Shimano PD-R7800 pedals and really old Sidi shoes ( I need new ones), but a bunch of people around this area go for Speedplay pedals.

camhabib said:

Any recommendations on clipless pedal and shoes? There seams to be a variety of different style pedals and shoes, big price difference between them all as well.

-Cameron

Edit: Looking to spend maybe around $250 for shoes and pedals. My main purpose for getting them is training and for race. Do a lot of the pedals for like $100 or so include one or two pedals? It would make sense to come singular but the descriptions make them seams like they come more then one. Also, what kind of shoes work with the speedplay pedals?

Personally, I'd go for a nice/ used pair of Sidi's on Ebay...... probably for about $50-100 (instead of $150+). Remember, road shoes basically last a very-very long time...... there is no rubber on the bottom to wear out 🙂

Then, I'd get a NEW pair of Time RXS or RXE(under $100) clippless.

You'd have a very-very good / comfortable/ secure - stable / for the most part light weight shoe/pedal combo ........ that will be very efficent. 😉

camhabib said:

Any recommendations on clipless pedal and shoes? There seams to be a variety of different style pedals and shoes, big price difference between them all as well.

-Cameron

Edit: Looking to spend maybe around $250 for shoes and pedals. My main purpose for getting them is training and for race. Do a lot of the pedals for like $100 or so include one or two pedals? It would make sense to come singular but the descriptions make them seams like they come more then one. Also, what kind of shoes work with the speedplay pedals?

You normally get both pedals. They'll be marked L and R. Check the Speedplay site for a listing of the shoes that work. Buying shoes online is tricky unless you know that the shoe fits. 8-) Buying the pedals online shouldn't be problem though.

Does anyone know anything about the Time Equipe Pro Profil shoes at performance bike? They're the bright yellow ones.😕

wwolff4 said:

Does anyone know anything about the Time Equipe Pro Profil shoes at performance bike? They're the bright yellow ones.😕

Could be good........ but I dont know what your foot shape looks like ;-)

They are quality shoes , probably best equiped with Time Pedals.

Also, in terms of buying shoes online being a risky propostion , its not. All you have to do , is go by your LBS ..... try on the shoes they have there....... see what size you are(every manufacture has a slightly different size.. depending upon your foot size .... so keep that in mind 😉 ) , write down your sizes ........... then hop on Ebay, etc. ....... and check it !!!!

Adam-from-SLO said:

Also, in terms of buying shoes online being a risky propostion , its not. All you have to do , is go by your LBS ..... try on the shoes they have there....... see what size you are(every manufacture has a slightly different size.. depending upon your foot size .... so keep that in mind 😉 ) , write down your sizes ........... then hop on Ebay, etc. ....... and check it !!!!

True, you can do that, but if we all do that, the LBS will cease to exist. Personally, I think it's wrong to go to the shop for the sole purpose of getting sized to buy elsewhere, but it's a matter of personal preference.