|   who doesn't use clip in pedals? | warmseth
Jan 11, 2004 9:53 PM | | downhillers and dirtjumpers i see for the most part don't have clip pedals. but i saw some single speed bikes with platforms and i had to wonder why. wouldn't you absolutely want as much aid in cranking a singlespeed? other than getting your feet off and on those pedals in an instant is there any benefit to not using clips? how 'bout those platform pedals with the clips in the middle of them? |
| I've stopped using them... | EricTheRed
Jan 11, 2004 10:37 PM | | I took them off my all around bike (xc,dj,urban, whatever). Platforms are a bit harder to climb in but as you've said its easier to bail. Some people also don't like or don't feel comfortable clipped in, also if one has knee problems and can't find a pedal that alows the amount of movement needed that could be another reason. Also hike-a-bikes are abit nicer in regular shoes IMO. So i think its more personal prefference. |
| PowerGrips for me | club
Jan 12, 2004 8:40 AM | | PowerGrips are great.
they never jam, you can always get your foot out instantly.
they're totally unaffected by snow, mud, ice, and sand, unlike clipless pedals.
you can pull up on slow cadence grunt climbs if they're adjusted to be snug but not tight.
they're cheap and fit most any normal pedals.
and one benefit you can't get with clipless is you can adjust your foot on the pedal. or high rpm spinning you can slide your feet back and pedal more on your toes like a trackie to get more ankling benefit. for grunt climbs or descents you can slide your feet fully in for more power and tightness to pull up better.
on sketchy sick and wrong stuff, you can slide back a tad to keep the straps a little looser so you can exit instantly, yet still be attached to the pedal. when you disengage from clipless in those situations you risk slipping off the pedals.
and unlike toe clips and straps you never have to reach down to adjust the straps' tightness.
and you get to use great old classic pedals like SunTour's venerable XC Pro and XC Compes, and for weight freaks, Grafton's pedals, with the terrible clipless tiddly bits removed. |
| Re: PowerGrips for me | Erok
Jan 13, 2004 9:08 PM | | I tried those a few years back when I was a bit apprehensive about going clipless. I liked them untill they got wet. After that they turned to limp noodles and I couldn't get in them easily at all. Do you have a trick for solving this problem? |
| that's weird, never had that problem | club
Jan 14, 2004 7:52 AM | | when they're a couple three years old they might start to droop a little. but otherwise they're laminated with waterproof material and in my experience of using them for more than a decade, are totally immune to moisture. can't explain your problem...They're real popular among the Iditabiker set because the long version of them can fit mickey mouse and sorel pac boots, never heard of any problems with water affecting them up there. Maybe try starching them like I used to do with my Marine utility covers? |
| Clipless are deathtraps | EveryDaysANewDay
Jan 12, 2004 10:36 PM | | Hey, coming from a BMX background i couldn't get used to clipless pedals (those are the ones with the special shoes and the metal thingie in the middle of the pedal). I'm so used to putting my foot down on turns, messed up air, emergencies, etc that clipless pedals didn't feel comfortable for me. Also, when i tried them I didn't notice that much of a pedaling efficiency improvement and if you commute anywhere with them you've either got to bring a pair of street shoes or have some clipless shoes with a recessed cleat. I bought this pair of shoes that was supposed to be recessed but i still "clack-clacked" around work most of the day which got me into a lot of conversations i'd wished i'd stayed out of ala hearing about a 40 year old woman's cycling history.
So I use toe clips! the old cage kind of thingies that you can slip your street shoes into. They seem to work fine. I've been to the clipless well, tasted, and returned. |
| Clipless are deathtraps | warmseth
Jan 12, 2004 11:15 PM | | i had fears of them. but on my first get off i clipped right out of them. i think i get off that way naturally (heals first). the thing i don't like is what you mentioned about putting a foot down on corners. |
| depends on the pedal, and if you're used to them | laffeaux
Jan 13, 2004 10:40 AM | | I used toe-clips for several years before switching to clipless pedals in '95. After so many years of use, it requires no thought to exit clipless pedals. Now when I ride toe clips, all I think about is, "man, these are death traps." To me clipless pedals are much easier to enter and exit.
As far as pedaling efficency goes, clipless helps some. The best part however, is when you're bouncing down the trail there's no worry about your foot coming off the pedal. More than once while riding with flats, my foot has come off the pedal while hoping a log or something, and the feeling of the pedal slamming into the back of my calf is not one that I care to repeat. |
| Another alternative... | Chas
Jan 19, 2004 4:58 PM | | Another alternative to PowerGrips are "mini clips". I picked up a set at the local bike shop over a year ago. They are a small plastic "cage" that mount on the front of a platform pedal. Just enough to cup your toe and a bit of your instep. Similar to "clips and straps" but without the straps.
I wear flat-soled Vans with them and the set up works fine by me. It is enough to keep your feet on the pedals in sketchy terrain but gives you enough latitude to bail easily. |
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