Clip-ins vs non-clip-ins pedals

[OMR]

I was surprised to find that several good riders don't use clip-in systems on their bikes. Just wondering how many and why?

[foofighter]

shimano SPD for me, as i posted in the other thread...i feel "naked" when going downhill or pedaling uphill not being clipped in.

[J_Sims]

I clip in on the RIP9 and the ONE9 SS
I do not clip in on ASX/ of course I do not climb on this bike either.....

[mazer75]

I only have 1 bike, and I use Shimano SPDs. Once you get used to popping out, it's not that scary to ride with them. The positive feel while clipped in outweighs any negatives from potential crashes (and not popping out in time).

[Mudman]

I think its also preference. Some people hate clipless- I did for the first few times. Still feel a little nervous, but it makes a HUGE difference going up-hill. Although I am still considering going back to platforms.

[Jordansrealm]

Crank Bros 50/50 platform pedals on my MTB
Crank Bros Candy clipless peldas on my Roadie

[Waldo]

Candy SL's on my bike, but even after almost 2 years with them I still unclip a lot in sketchy situations. Some friends mock me for it, but the habit has turned several would-be OTBs into what I like to call "evasive maneuvers" (ie: step-offs). I just still have a hard time unclipping as fast as I'd like, though on friends' bikes with Candys and/or Mallets that have more use I've found I can unclip more easily.

I have a set of Shimano pedals & cleats that I've been meaning to try, to see if the adjustable release tension makes me feel more comfortable. Maybe there's still clipless hope for me.

[PacMan]

Here's the deal on my issue with clipless: I never made friends with being able to clip out in time after 4 months of trying to get used to it. I hated the SPD pedals I had and the fact that I could only unclip by swinging my heal out, so the crap pedals are partly to blame, I know.

My dad crashed so bad due to not being able to unclip, he had to get 17 stitches in his leg.

I also hated the "what if I can't unclip" worrying in my head when coming up on a techy part. When I finally went back to platforms, it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.

And lastly, I saw a show on TV called "The Science of Pedal Power" (or something like that) and they stated that on average, on your upstroke, you can only generate 13-18% of the power that you can on your downstroke, and that was only if you did it perfectly--they were illustrating why pro's use them--saying how even 13-18% means extra seconds over the course of a race. Well, I'm not racing so I don't need to save seconds over the course of a ride.

So I didn't see the point in going back. Plus, with the 510's, my feet NEVER slip, so I don't need to clip-in for stability.

I'm considering going back, but it'll still take a lot of thought

[Dino Brown]

I fall into the non-clips catagory. I guess I never grew our of my BMX days! I also enjoy the freedom of adjusting my feet on the pedals and being able to bail-off the bike if necessary (Allison, good time to post that picture).

My pedal of choice- Wellgo MG-1. Super Strong. The pins are super grippy. Best thing- they weigh only 376g!!!

I do own Candy's. If I do CC or Vision Quest I will probably throw them on my hardtail.

[CeeDubb]

This man right here don't need no stinkin' clipless pedals! He's my hero!

The video is still uploading so keep checking back for the footage. It's the unedited .avi file so it's about 92 Mb. You might see Gene (clipped in) climb the same hill with a different end result.

[Jordansrealm]

Originally Posted by PacMan

Here's the deal on my issue with clipless: I never made friends with being able to clip out in time after 4 months of trying to get used to it. I hated the SPD pedals I had and the fact that I could only unclip by swinging my heal out, so the crap pedals are partly to blame, I know.

My dad crashed so bad due to not being able to unclip, he had to get 17 stitches in his leg.

I also hated the "what if I can't unclip" worrying in my head when coming up on a techy part. When I finally went back to platforms, it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.

And lastly, I saw a show on TV called "The Science of Pedal Power" and they stated that on average, on your upstroke, you can only generate 13-18% of the power that you can on your downstroke, and that was only if you did it perfectly (they were illustrating why pro's use them--saying how even 13-18% means extra seconds over the course of a race). So I didn't see the point in going back. Plus, with the 510's, my feet NEVER slip, so I don't need to clip-in for stability.

I'm considering going back, but it'll still take a lot of thought

I share pretty much the exact same feelings on going clipless on my MTB. There have been a few times when climbing that it would have been nice to be locked into the pedals when it got steep for stability but I never feel like I really need them for upstroke power. Then again I am no Ironman. If I can clean sections with my platforms than I think I am doing just fine.

[Geronimo]

is a fad. Spandex unfortunatly, is here to stay.

[guero]

crank brothers candys for me.

[cru jones]

Rode clipless my whole life and never had a problem w/being sketched out or anything of that nature. Now I ride exclusively on platforms(tioga mx-pro pedals w/five ten shoes) and its improved my overall bike skills immensely. For pure cross-country clipless is the way to go though. But if youre not a racer, throw on a set of platforms for a couple of months and relearn how to bunnyhop,jump, and descend on your bike. Youll be a much smoother rider because of it.

[sladnas]

I'm with Dino...maybe I just had too much fun on the BMX for years and years. I like platforms. I also like the freedom to just screw around on the bike (which I do often) during a ride.

The only time when traction on the pedals is an issue for me is when I'm attempting a hill that has a grade beyond my physical ability to climb anyway, or on the occasional very bumpy uphill.

I'm currently running Mosh/Giant Half Steps...a popular BMX pedal. Durable as hell, but they weigh a TON. I'm looking to move to a lighter platform...

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by sladnas

I'm looking to move to a lighter platform...

<cough>Azonic A-Frames<cough>

[TucknRoll]

NON-clip-ins. Because I don't prefer going off the cliff with my bike.

[roadkillross]

Originally Posted by TucknRoll

Because I don't prefer going off the cliff with my bike.

thats what the sport is duuuude

[genusmtbkr5]

Crank Bros eggbeaters C on the Tomac and SS, eggbeater Ti's on the Rocky Mountain. Time Atac on my Redline crossbike