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General Category >> Technical >> Clipless shoes
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Message started by JimFPU on Apr 16^th, 2012, 1:37pm

Title: Clipless shoes
Post by JimFPU on Apr 16^th, 2012, 1:37pm

OK, are they a placebo or is there really something to all the 'science' out there on cycling shoes? Is it just another holiday to sell a card thing? I've read a ton of the 'science' stuff for cycling shoes, but I'd like to get some real feedback for those that rode with tennies all your life then made a switch. Did it really help?

Title: Re: Clipless shoes
Post by Monkeywrangler22 on Apr 16^th, 2012, 2:11pm

Yeah they really do help. It makes it possible to pull up, on the upstroke. You also put more poewr to the drivetrail when you go over the top or pull back (12-3 & 6-9) because your feet don't slip off.

What size shoes do you wear Jim? Dave has a set of Keen Commuter spd sandals he's willing to sell.

Title: Re: Clipless shoes
Post by JimFPU on Apr 16^th, 2012, 2:44pm

It would appear I'm a 48. 12.5 US.

Title: Re: Clipless shoes
Post by Monkeywrangler22 on Apr 16^th, 2012, 3:20pm

The Keens Dave has are 12.0 but you are welcome to try them on if you like.

Title: Re: Clipless shoes
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Apr 16^th, 2012, 3:47pm

I'd recommend them, even on the SXP... there's no danger of "leg suck" without them, since there's no crossbar to trap your leg, but being clipped in does help your pedaling efficiency, especially when you're climbing!!!! Just get a version that are easy to twist out of, and keep the spring tension loose...

Title: Re: Clipless shoes
Post by rmillay on Apr 16^th, 2012, 3:59pm

If you learn to use toe clips, it will introduce you to one aspect of clipless pedals: You feel more secure on your bike. You don't realize how much of the time you spend trying to keep your feet in the proper place on the pedals until you learn to ride with them secured. And if you hit a bump and have your feet come off the pedals, well, tou know how that can hurt! Also, it makes you ready for clipless because it is almost impossible to adjust toe clips so they don't hurt your feet. [smiley=laugh.gif]

Bike shoes have a very stiff sole. This allows all your pedal pushing to go directly through the sole to the pedal, instead of being wasted in deforming the shoe. It also allows you to relax the feet when pushing. Many riders who complain of foot pain and cramps on longer rides are trying to grab the pedals with their toes, monkey-like, even through the shoes. I know I struggled to train myself out of that. The combination of confidence and efficiency going clipless should add one to two mph to your average speed. Also, we who have adopted them enjoy the spectacle of the novice clipless user. [smiley=whistling.gif]

Title: Re: Clipless shoes
Post by JimFPU on Apr 16^th, 2012, 6:28pm

rmillay wrote:

Also, we who hve adopted them enjoy the spectacle of the novice clipless user. [smiley=whistling.gif]

Ah yes, nothing like the truth... [smiley=evil.gif]

Used to use toe clips a lot, but felt constricted because I couldn't just pop out easily. Todays ride I really paid attention to what was happening on the peddals...wow I really didn't realize how much I was working to keep my feet where they needed to be! I already have the peddals (thanks to the generosity of JayG) I'll have to get the shoes...

Title: Re: Clipless shoes
Post by jayg on Apr 16^th, 2012, 7:17pm

rmillay wrote:

Heck, some of us experienced riders are still entertaining our fellow riders by falling over clipped in. Raise your hand if you are one of them. I'm raising my hand, how about you, Bob? :D

Title: Re: Clipless shoes
Post by JimFPU on Apr 16^th, 2012, 9:05pm

So did you give me those peddles for some sort sick inside joke...I will not have the camera out.... [smiley=injured.gif]

Title: Re: Clipless shoes
Post by Tiger_Mike on Apr 16^th, 2012, 9:06pm

I was a rookie last year, now I'm a novice....My favorite fall was one that no one saw....I'd been really careful the whole 12 mile ride, I was tense but everything went great. As I rolled up to the garage at home I was all relaxed and confident, and casually unclipped my left foot as I braked to a stop....Only trouble was I forgot to lean to the left...so at 0 mph I gracefully toppled over on my right side flailing around with my left foot to no effect. Nothing damaged but my pride! :D

Title: Re: Clipless shoes
Post by jayg on Apr 16^th, 2012, 9:14pm

JimFPU wrote:

So did you give me those peddles for some sort sick inside joke...I will not have the camera out.... [smiley=injured.gif]

Key has all kinds of cameras. He'll catch the action. :D

Title: Re: Clipless shoes
Post by JimFPU on Apr 16^th, 2012, 9:35pm

Tiger_Mike wrote:

LOL! That sounds like my very first 'bent commute. I lived in IL, and was only 5 miles from work. The old Infinity was working just fine and I felt great! Good roads in combination with bike paths allowed me to cruise to work without stopping for about 4 and a quarter miles. Finally had to stop at the light right before the big hill climb to work. Put on the brakes, put my foot down...and my leg just didn't seem to work! I fell right over at the light and almost couldn't get up! That's when i realized what was meant by 'bent legs... [smiley=shrug.gif] good thing it was about 6:45 in the morning...no one was around!

Title: Re: Clipless shoes
Post by rmillay on Apr 17^th, 2012, 7:16pm

The last time I failed to unclip was on my Madone. I sailed up the ramp to the patio of the kwikie-mart in Venus and took out my left foot to stop. The bike, however, saw the pillar to the left and shied, so I fell over on my right side. There were several witnesses, but to their credit, there was not a snicker among them. :-[

Title: Re: Clipless shoes
Post by JimFPU on Apr 20^th, 2012, 3:30pm

Tried out the Frog Speedplays today with the Keen sandals...what on earth was I so worried about!? It's going to take some getting used to and maybe some minor adjustments but no locking in, no falling over, EASY to un-clip. Now it will just be ptice to make it second nature. Feels a bit funny on the placement, but it's as far backas it can go. So fortunately so far no clip in falls. Just have to remember to get out in time to stop, but they feel funny enough right now that I will be paying attention to them more for a while. Seems to be a slight twisting motion when peddling but maybe I didn't notice that movement before since I wasn't clipped on. I suppose your foot moves a lot more than you realize. Soon we'll see what it does to my riding cadence/speed.

Thanks to all those that helped out with this endeavour.

Title: Re: Clipless shoes
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Apr 29^th, 2012, 3:02pm

It'll become second nature... but at least if you forget and fall over, you don't have that far to fall!!!