I keep meaning to get some non-laced trainers, but I do the tuck and think about it another day….
I’m not a ‘clip in and ride’ person, as I think it’s a bit of a myth about pulling on the upstroke – the best riders just push down less. This doesn’t need a clip!
If and when I go recumbent, that’ll be clips though (stopping my feet falling off)
I’m a convert to clip ins – far more secure in the wet, and although I don’t pull up on the pedal consciously most of the time, it’s a great option to have if you need a bit of extra power (works too).
I’m a big clip convert. You can analyze (and argue) the mechanics all day if you want, but I know (and have the figures to show) that I’m appreciably quicker clipless, and just feel more comfortable and in control of the bike.
In terms of mechanics, I more notice that I “unload” the “rear” pedal more (take my weight off of it), which probably means more of the push on the “forward” pedal is going into forward motion (rather than acting like an elevator for my leg).
Regardless, I can’t imagnie riding in flip-flops. Guess I’m too much of a “roadie”. (Images of “road rash” on my tootsies flit through my mind…)
They did tests which measured the force exerted and found that on the upstroke, the force of foot on pedal was always downward (i.e. never a pull up) – this means the clip is not used to pull. The good riders unload more…. (thus meaning the forward foot is more loaded).
I can appreciate the comfort issue.
The sweeping argument seems reasonable.
I think if I ever got roadie (or laid-back recumbent) I might go clippy – but for day to day, I want to be able to jump on and pedal.
I did try toe clips, I just found them a real pain, they kept turning the pedal upside down.
The comic strip point, IMO, is that there is lots of heat coming from the blacktop on busy roads. It’s an indication of lots of energy wasted and the damage cars do.
I wore sandals today on my Cleveland commute. They keep your feet cool. Love them. But… flip flops? I’ve done it but not on a commute–I like my feet better secured than that. Crocs are good–it’s good to have something to keep the shoe on the foot.
I do prefer some protection for my feet, too. By the way, I’m not sure about replacing my standard pedals. I’d like to be able to do the ‘upstroke’, but since I do some errands on my bike, I’m not sure if I will be able to either put the foot down fast on those ‘emergency’ stops or lock my feet fast enough to run when the light goes green. Some advice will be very appreciated. Thanks!
I believe Jan Heine put this topic to rest in a recent issue of Bicycle Quarterly. Through detailed empirical analysis he proved that riding with clipless pedals was not more efficient than riding platform or toe clip pedals.
I am a huge clipless fan. I put about 400 miles a year off road on my mountain bike and about 1500 miles on the road bike, and I couldn’t imagine riding without being locked in.
BTW, if there is no efficiency gain by using clipless, why do the pros use them?
Pros use clipless because your foot is always in the best position for efficient pedaling. I.e., while the actual pedal stroke may be equally efficient with clipless or platform pedals, over the course of a ride your feet will move to a non-optimum position on platform pedals and you will have to reposition them – which you won’t need to do with clipless.
I don’t have special bike shoes. Us non-athletic types who are just riding to the store don’t care about efficient pedal strokes. I do have bike clothes, but I mostly wear regular clothes when I’m commuting. The masses are never going to turn to bicycles for every day transportation needs if they think they’ll require special pedals, shoes, clothing, etc. I try to model the idea that normal people in normal clothes can ride their bicycles daily.
Having been on both sides of this fence for 10′s of thousands of miles, I can honestly say that now as an exclusively transportation cyclist, there nothing quite like having street shoes on wherever you go.
Doing the same routes thousands of times, I haven’t found any appreciable difference in my commute time from when I was using full on racing style setups with clipless pedals and cycling shoes vs. now whatever street shoes suit the weather. Now that its warmer I’m riding in my flips everyday. Having been very sceptical of this more “Dutchy” side of cycling and a speedaholic, it took me years to try it with any consistancy and now I can’t imagine ever going back.
Instead of Flip Flops, I prefer Tevas. A “powerstrap” lets feet stay on the pedals in slippery situations, and pull up on the rare occasion that hip flexors are needed to climb a steep up. The sandals are great all year long, just with thick wool socks in the winter.
I have hybrid pedals, the ones with platforms on one side and clips on the other. I normally ride with street shoes for my commute and running errands, but clips are nice for some of those longer club rides and recreational centuries.
I have to say that the car heat thing was something that surprised me the first time I experienced it. Intersections are warmer where cars stack up idleing, arterials are warmer with moving traffic, and side streets are chilly.
One thing no-one has mentioned about flip-flops (thongs as we call them in Oz) is the sunburn! you can’t ride for 3+ hours because of the sun in middle of the day and not need to sunscreen your feet!
The cool feet verses scraped toes is good compensation for a couple of hours of easy cruising on all those 33 degree celsius Summer days
My dear friend Crazy Eyes – I believe that you’re mistaken about your source. I believe that it was Grant in a recent Riv Reader who came to this conclusion. So you can take your beloved Teutonic empiricism and throw it out the window. This conclusion was based on nothing more than gut feeling and a longing to return cycling to the dark ages. Next time you want to troll for a flame war get your facts in order beforehand.
I don’t know about you guys, but I do the sweep thing a lot when I’m riding, something that I can’t really do with platforms and even hate doing with clips and straps. Another thing is I never pull up when I’m in the saddle, but I pull up most of the time when I’m out of the saddle, which is quite often really. I think it depends on the rider, which is best.
The laces on my high-top sneakers occaisionally get wrapped around the pedals. I use a leg band that I got at a local organized ride for both my laces and my pants leg. It’s really a life saver.
I hate flip flops; I prefer to have something that clings to my ankles. I wear sneakers (with Velcro fasteners; my chainrings tend to eat laces
).
@John
In a pinch, I’ve found that tucking those laces under the other laces works every time.
I keep meaning to get some non-laced trainers, but I do the tuck and think about it another day….
I’m not a ‘clip in and ride’ person, as I think it’s a bit of a myth about pulling on the upstroke – the best riders just push down less. This doesn’t need a clip!
If and when I go recumbent, that’ll be clips though (stopping my feet falling off)
I’m a convert to clip ins – far more secure in the wet, and although I don’t pull up on the pedal consciously most of the time, it’s a great option to have if you need a bit of extra power (works too).
@murk:
it’s not a myth and it’s not about pulling on the upstroke. “the best riders just push down less”? that doesn’t make sense to me.
it’s pulling/pushing from the 3 to 9 o’clock positions, like wiping your feet on a mat. that’s what generates more power with clips.
I’m a big clip convert. You can analyze (and argue) the mechanics all day if you want, but I know (and have the figures to show) that I’m appreciably quicker clipless, and just feel more comfortable and in control of the bike.
In terms of mechanics, I more notice that I “unload” the “rear” pedal more (take my weight off of it), which probably means more of the push on the “forward” pedal is going into forward motion (rather than acting like an elevator for my leg).
Regardless, I can’t imagnie riding in flip-flops. Guess I’m too much of a “roadie”. (Images of “road rash” on my tootsies flit through my mind…)
Give me clip in Sandles, can use about 8 months a year.
have to wear shoes at work. always use clips or half clips; too many childhood memories of riding the top tube.
Clip in sandles are the way to go when it gets semi warm out. Rain, mud, sun, it’s all good!
Anyone willing to bike Mayfield in traffic has my vote for dedicated commuter. Great as you get east, but near 271 it is nasty with traffic.
Push down less:
They did tests which measured the force exerted and found that on the upstroke, the force of foot on pedal was always downward (i.e. never a pull up) – this means the clip is not used to pull. The good riders unload more…. (thus meaning the forward foot is more loaded).
I can appreciate the comfort issue.
The sweeping argument seems reasonable.
I think if I ever got roadie (or laid-back recumbent) I might go clippy – but for day to day, I want to be able to jump on and pedal.
I did try toe clips, I just found them a real pain, they kept turning the pedal upside down.
Keen cycling sandals. Pure joy on your feet.
The comic strip point, IMO, is that there is lots of heat coming from the blacktop on busy roads. It’s an indication of lots of energy wasted and the damage cars do.
I wore sandals today on my Cleveland commute. They keep your feet cool. Love them. But… flip flops? I’ve done it but not on a commute–I like my feet better secured than that. Crocs are good–it’s good to have something to keep the shoe on the foot.
I do prefer some protection for my feet, too. By the way, I’m not sure about replacing my standard pedals. I’d like to be able to do the ‘upstroke’, but since I do some errands on my bike, I’m not sure if I will be able to either put the foot down fast on those ‘emergency’ stops or lock my feet fast enough to run when the light goes green. Some advice will be very appreciated. Thanks!
@Dave
Yep, that’s indeed the point – doesn’t stop people going off on a tangent though, does it?
I wear some type of slip-on and use MKS Sneaker pedals. The best that I’ve found are Vans or Doc Marten Henry.
I believe Jan Heine put this topic to rest in a recent issue of Bicycle Quarterly. Through detailed empirical analysis he proved that riding with clipless pedals was not more efficient than riding platform or toe clip pedals.
I wear those flat-soled skateboarding sneakers.
They go well with the platform pedals I prefer using.
Thanks McStubbleface!
I am a huge clipless fan. I put about 400 miles a year off road on my mountain bike and about 1500 miles on the road bike, and I couldn’t imagine riding without being locked in.
BTW, if there is no efficiency gain by using clipless, why do the pros use them?
Pros use clipless because your foot is always in the best position for efficient pedaling. I.e., while the actual pedal stroke may be equally efficient with clipless or platform pedals, over the course of a ride your feet will move to a non-optimum position on platform pedals and you will have to reposition them – which you won’t need to do with clipless.
Yahuda is wearing MUSA pants.
I don’t have special bike shoes. Us non-athletic types who are just riding to the store don’t care about efficient pedal strokes. I do have bike clothes, but I mostly wear regular clothes when I’m commuting. The masses are never going to turn to bicycles for every day transportation needs if they think they’ll require special pedals, shoes, clothing, etc. I try to model the idea that normal people in normal clothes can ride their bicycles daily.
I have found that when I am tried of pushing down, I start pulling up with my snap in shoes.
@Alexander L
Having been on both sides of this fence for 10′s of thousands of miles, I can honestly say that now as an exclusively transportation cyclist, there nothing quite like having street shoes on wherever you go.
Doing the same routes thousands of times, I haven’t found any appreciable difference in my commute time from when I was using full on racing style setups with clipless pedals and cycling shoes vs. now whatever street shoes suit the weather. Now that its warmer I’m riding in my flips everyday. Having been very sceptical of this more “Dutchy” side of cycling and a speedaholic, it took me years to try it with any consistancy and now I can’t imagine ever going back.
Instead of Flip Flops, I prefer Tevas. A “powerstrap” lets feet stay on the pedals in slippery situations, and pull up on the rare occasion that hip flexors are needed to climb a steep up. The sandals are great all year long, just with thick wool socks in the winter.
But Yehuda really needs to paint his toenails if he’s gonna show ‘em.
@Zorba
Good Call!
+1 Mindy. I’m with you exactly! The only bike-specific clothing I usually wear is the hi-viz jacket, if it’s not too hot for it, for safety.
Still, I would not do flip-flops.
I have hybrid pedals, the ones with platforms on one side and clips on the other. I normally ride with street shoes for my commute and running errands, but clips are nice for some of those longer club rides and recreational centuries.
I have to say that the car heat thing was something that surprised me the first time I experienced it. Intersections are warmer where cars stack up idleing, arterials are warmer with moving traffic, and side streets are chilly.
One thing no-one has mentioned about flip-flops (thongs as we call them in Oz) is the sunburn! you can’t ride for 3+ hours because of the sun in middle of the day and not need to sunscreen your feet!
The cool feet verses scraped toes is good compensation for a couple of hours of easy cruising on all those 33 degree celsius Summer days
My dear friend Crazy Eyes – I believe that you’re mistaken about your source. I believe that it was Grant in a recent Riv Reader who came to this conclusion. So you can take your beloved Teutonic empiricism and throw it out the window. This conclusion was based on nothing more than gut feeling and a longing to return cycling to the dark ages. Next time you want to troll for a flame war get your facts in order beforehand.
Oooooo, it’s on now Phil…
I don’t know about you guys, but I do the sweep thing a lot when I’m riding, something that I can’t really do with platforms and even hate doing with clips and straps. Another thing is I never pull up when I’m in the saddle, but I pull up most of the time when I’m out of the saddle, which is quite often really. I think it depends on the rider, which is best.
I have the same MUSA pants Yahuda is wearing. Very comfortable for riding.
The laces on my high-top sneakers occaisionally get wrapped around the pedals. I use a leg band that I got at a local organized ride for both my laces and my pants leg. It’s really a life saver.
Mayfield is a pain in the butt…