Clipless vs Platform Pedals

[Stefan Mikes]

Watch on YouTube.

I am so fond of the programmes by Bram Hoekstra, a Dutch bike mechanic. This time, he discusses the facts about clipless vs flat pedals. To save you time: the conclusion is clipless pedals only give measurable gain if you sprint on a traditional bike. Otherwise, the chance to crash and break our old bones and hurt our old bodies because of being clipped in is a way higher than with platform pedals and proper cycling shoes.

Unfortunately, the clipless pedals and cleated shoes have become a religion, and you don't discuss with the religion.

When I met one of my close friends for the first time, he happily rode a steel Marin gravel bike with platform pedals and in trainers. Later, he bought a high end carbon gravel bike, and that was a good decision. No doubt he's happy with a lightweight and comfortable bicycle. Unfortunately, he believed the clipless propaganda. "Clipless are more comfortable on long rides" he said. Well, I don't discuss with the religion

Please watch the programme first.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I gave up on them with commuting and always on and off the bike. Walking is fine, though I used to have some Shimano sandals that worked well. I tried the new ones, and it sucked. with these big ass pedals now I can use any shoe for the weather without my feet bending.

XL Catalyst Pedal

Built for bigger feet and a better fit. Designed in response to rider demand, the Catalyst XL delivers the same performance and stability as our flagship pedals—with a slightly larger platform to support size 13+ feet. Featuring an anodized black finish and the longest pedal body on the market...

pedalinginnovations.com

 

[Aushiker]

I had Look pedals on my roadie way back when, but on my touring bike, fat bike, and e-bike, I have flat pedals. The flat pedals are DMR V8 pedals on the touring and e-bike, and on the fat bike, OneUP Composite Pedals [because they came in green )

I still have a pair of SPD shoes but haven't worn them in a long, long time. I have not noticed any disadvantages from the flat pedals but then my riding has changed over time. I do recall the fun and games in group rides, riding the Look 555, having to fight to clip back in and then fighting to keep up with the group. Those were the days

Being able to just put my foot down when I need to is great, and other times the pins do a good job of 'retaining my shoes' to the pedals.

My shoes are Specialized 2FO Roost Flat mountain bike shoes, i.e., designed for use with flat pedals with pins.

 

[DaveMatthews]

I gave up on them with commuting and always on and off the bike. Walking is fine, though I used to have some Shimano sandals that worked well. I tried the new ones, and it sucked. with these big ass pedals now I can use any shoe for the weather without my feet bending.

XL Catalyst Pedal

Built for bigger feet and a better fit. Designed in response to rider demand, the Catalyst XL delivers the same performance and stability as our flagship pedals—with a slightly larger platform to support size 13+ feet. Featuring an anodized black finish and the longest pedal body on the market...

pedalinginnovations.com

No clip for me. Not needed

 

[fooferdoggie]

I remember many years ago riding home in the dark, 20 or so degrees out on my road bike, clipped in, and I unclipped my left foot, and as soon as I did, a gust of wind came out and blew me over on the right.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

My shoes are Specialized 2FO Roost Flat mountain bike shoes, i.e., designed for use with flat pedals with pins.

I own a pair, too. Unfortunately, the internal shape of that shoe does not agree with my foot, so I use them rarely. Now, on the third pair of Adidas Five Ten Freerider Pro. For winter, I wear Endura MT500 Burner Flat Waterproof (the best winter cycling boots I've ever owned!)

 

[Aushiker]

I own a pair, too. Unfortunately, the internal shape of that shoe does not agree with my foot, so I use them rarely. Now, on the third pair of Adidas Five Ten Freerider Pro. For winter, I wear Endura MT500 Burner Flat Waterproof (the best winter cycling boots I've ever owned!)

Those Enduras look pretty serious ... maybe overkill for winter here.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I remember many years ago riding home in the dark, 20 or so degrees out on my road bike, clipped in, and I unclipped my left foot, and as soon as I did, a gust of wind came out and blew me over on the right.

SPD-SL (the road system) are the worst of them all. When I was a complete noob, I bought a pair of "arctic" shoes for winter riding. I could not understand them in the beginning! Once I read some articles, I bought the matching cleats and pedals. Winter shoes, indeed, haha! I almost fell from the slippery stairs in front of my house! Then, I had the first crash, no traffic around. Then I was pedalling in the Aleje, an artery outside Warsaw. There, I seriously crashed; fortunately, the traffic was minimal on that day. I gave up on that system then.

An "easy" model of Shimano SPD "M", the minimum tension of the spring, "easy" cleats were what I could live with. However, I once approached an intersection with a poor visibility of the main road. I rode slowly then violently braked to avoid a collision with an approaching car. Yes, I could unclip my foot barely before falling.

Fortunately for me, someone on EBR mentioned the traction pin platform pedals and the matching shoes. I've standardised on them. Some lady on EBR explained I should mimic the forward-backward movement of my feet on the flat pedals on the acceleration. It worked!

Those Enduras look pretty serious ... maybe overkill for winter here.

Only if the temps are below 7 C or during the frost AND your toes are cold These shoes are windproof and totally waterproof. Hint: These boots are a way smaller than the size suggests.

 

[edobici_forza]

I only skimmed the YT video above...I saw the "AI" tag.
I get along with both SPD MTB pedals and platform pedals. It really depends on the terrain of the ride. I do swap pedal types.
Defaults... Creo: XT SPD pedals, Hakka: XT SPD pedals, XC MTB: RaceFace platform pedals, 10 pins per side.
I've tried many shoes, not the full list, I found Five Ten soles too grippy! Pearl Izumi MTB preferred, Specialized 2FO Roost MTB soles are fine but too narrow.

Other considerations: toe overlap with clipless SPDs. My shoe size is not large... 9.5-10US / 44EU, but I experience toe overlap on my bikes when running larger size tires, which can be tricky on 180° tight trail switchbacks. 55mm tires on the Creo now, with SPDs the pedals.

SPD cleats, the standard SH51 cleats are single direction release/entry. these are fine, but I prefer SH56 which are multi-release, I have one of each on similar Fizik Terra gravel shoes. I have not tried the new MT001 universal release/entry.

I used SPD-SLs for many years on my Lemond road bike. they are good for power transfer, but walking around with the large cleat, is not fun.

In general I've found good platform pedals and good shoes, with flat-ish bottom soles are best, better than hiking shoes/sneakers with large lugged soles, which do not allow easy foot repositioning.

Lastly, the designer in my had to check out these SPD-to-platform adapters from RedShift. They are great for jumping on one of my bikes with SPD pedals, when riding around town or running an errand with my normal shoes, The Shimano adapters work poorly, in comparison.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

.I saw the "AI" tag.

Ouch.
Still, "Bram Hoekstra" videos are exceptionally good.