This is an interesting topic OMC👍 I have opted for Mountain bike style SPD's on my JOGLE & LEJOG rides in the past just because you can walk around easily (train stations and shopping etc) which you eluded to in the video. It's basically a more convenient way of getting about in general, however, since I have rekindled the road cycling way of life I now use Shimano Yellow road cleats all of the time. I cant ride a bike without cleats, Even a mountain bike ! Defo on the climbs too when you want to put a big effort in. The only bug bare I had with MTB cleats was a rubbing noise after a while where I had to smear some chain oil on the pedal and the bottom of the shoe to eliminate it mid ride.

@onemorecyclist

4 ай бұрын

I get squeaking/rubbing from my left cleat (for some reason always the left one!) and like you sort with a bit of grease/oil from time to time - drives me nuts though when it happens out on a ride. Out of interest, do you have a go-to shoe that you use with the Shimano Yellows?

My local café is in the lower level of Memorial Hospital. As a 76 year old rider, I imagine myself walking into my local café like a penguin with my old LOOK pedal cleats clacking, the nurses would be rushing to my aid with a wheelchair.

@onemorecyclist

2 ай бұрын

🤣👍

100% agree with your analysis of the normal reasons. I ended up using clipless thinking it was a rite of passage. I bought a second hand road bike for my indoor trainer which came with some Shimano SPDs. Managed to get some decent indoor practice before daring to venture outdoors with them. Have to say though from a comfort point of view I love being clipped in, unsure if that’s psychological or actual physical comfort though. Unlike you though I’ve had a number of comedic falls, mainly because I’m programmed to unclip left and if the bike tips right I’m goosed 😂 That Cragg vale road is bloody dreadful.

@onemorecyclist

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment, Jon. Interesting what you say about a rite of passage, which I can definitely relate to. I didn't really have any specific reason to go clipless (circa 2017) other than thinking, well I'm getting a bit more into/serious about cycling now and it seems to be the next step. Yeah that ride reminded me why I don't go down Cragg Vale very often, absolutely rubbish road surface.

Having got used to clipless pedals I can't imagine going back to flat. Initially my fear was on steep hills where you might have to stop and unclip quickly or vice versa start and clip in at full push. This can take some getting used to but becomes second nature in time. I also use the SPD recessed cleats with touring or mtb type shoes for mainly road cycling. Easier to walk in the cafe.

@onemorecyclist

4 ай бұрын

Yes, ditto on the steep hills but definitely becomes second nature - and fairly quickly too I found. One of the things I'd like to do at some point in the future is build up a dedicated touring bike. I can see me agonising over clipless or flats when I do. Might be when I finally take a serious look at those pedals that have flat on one side and a clip on the other. Thanks for the comment, Ian.

I used to use toe-clips, straps, and nailed-on metal cleats! (No float!) Now wearing out my last set of Speedplay Frogs on my Windcheetah recumbent trike. Leg-suck hurts a lot. My ‘64 Moulton has flats for going round the corner for milk, but I remember the funny looks I would get clacking around Asda in my cleats and tights. Been riding since I was five - sixty years…gawd!!! Where did the time go!?

@onemorecyclist

19 күн бұрын

I don't think I'll ever go into a supermarket in cycling kit, or walk through a train station, and not feel like a proper wally! :) Where on earth does the time go, indeed! Thanks for the comment and happy cycling!

GCN did a couple of tests and basically there wasn't really a downside to using flat pedals except getting up out of the saddle uphill they reckoned didn't feel as good as clipless. I use both and the main downside for me with good flat pedals is that they have very sharp pegs that keep trashing my shins when in shorts 😂. Painful!

@onemorecyclist

4 ай бұрын

Pedal on shin is a rather singular pain, isn't it? Interesting I'll see if I can find that GCN video. I tend to use trail running shoes with flats and do notice if I ever use really soft trainers the power transfer (or whatever the right term is) is much poorer.

@brianridley1102

4 ай бұрын

@@onemorecyclist I use some specific shoes for flats with harder soles, but your right softer ones suck the power away. I use the flats if touring around, much easier to walk in those type of shoes than clipless

I only use clipless when I am on one of my road bikes. Otherwise, it's flats. The power I put down when I'm just riding around town or touring is about the same as a five-year cycling through the park to feed the ducks so not much point!

@onemorecyclist

4 ай бұрын

I'm probably on a par with that 5 year old's younger brother ... on an eBike!

I tried SPDs, gave them a fair crack for a year or so but genuinely hated them, the feeling of being stuck to my bike as a car approaches from behind on a narrow road climb, nothing but gravel and potholes to my left, a horrible feeling. Those things are designed for smooth roads and definitely not to be used in busy traffic. A couple of comedy falls, one quite hair raising because a car had to brake, told me to get flat pedals and ride in trainers, much safer and I can walk properly when I stop for a coffee.

@onemorecyclist

24 күн бұрын

Good to have tried them I guess (so you know they're not for you etc.). I'm still waiting for my first 'comedy fall' and I know it'll happen at some point - hopefully with some nice soft grass on the right side. Good point about what they're designed for, which is definitely not stop-start riding. Thanks for the comment and happy cycling!

@pauledwards499

24 күн бұрын

@@onemorecyclist My first comedy fall came after I'd just congratulated myself for not having a beginners fall. I stopped to take a photo, unclipped my right foot and went to put my left foot down, a second or so of slow motion followed, then skin collided with gravel. The first thing I did was check the bike for any damage 🤣

@onemorecyclist

24 күн бұрын

Hahaha, priorities! 🙂

You've opened a can of worms here. I'll stick with my flat pedals. Why. I'm a slow and steady touring cyclist who doesn't really need to sprint. Also had a few incidences with cyclist friends who almost tipped onto the road whilst a truck went past and another who hit a bollard clipped in just below the knee, smashing it, there might have been some give or last minute moving of his leg if he wasn't clipped in. Also in continual stopping in city traffic, thus numerous clipping ins and pushing up steep hills in those shoes can be hard.

@chrisw1090

4 ай бұрын

I totally agree with you on this. I went over to SPD pedals and was never that happy with them. I was on a ride where there was a lot of junctions and I was continually having to unclip and thought to myself 'why bother?' and so went back to toe clips and straps.with platform pedals.

@onemorecyclist

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment here ... and just 'ouch' re hitting that bollard! I think I have a similar view with slow and steady touring that clipless pedals are unnecessary - and potentially even more of a detriment as you'll be wanting to spend time off the bike and exploring during the rides. You can off course get pedals that are SPD one side and flat the other, although I've never personally been tempted by these. Yes, it is a bit of a can of worms ... but interesting to hear your thoughts all the same. Happy cycling (on flats!).

@onemorecyclist

4 ай бұрын

All the years I was commuting (flat routes, city traffic) the main bike I used was a single speed with flats. Agree it's good to keep it simple if there's loads of stop starts, junctions etc.

I'm constantly moving my feet for comfort ,so they're not for me .

@onemorecyclist

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment, Kevin. I do wonder sometimes if there's people using clipless that really don't get on with them but they feel like they have to as it's the norm for their group/club etc. The SPDs I use have a 'float range' (not the right terminology) and so there's a bit of room to move laterally, which I definitely utilise. I believe some of the road shoes/pedals combos are completely fixed in position - which sounds awful to me ... although I suppose don't knock it till you've tried it etc.