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Clipless vs Toe clips.

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  • April 6, 2018 at 8:23 pm #28336
    Dr Winston

    I known you’ve probably all done this to death but please indulge me as a returning cyclist after the thick end of twenty years.

    For whatever reason my maker decided to issue me with feet, which, for whatever reason, are prone to cramps on the underside of the bridge of my feet…and at some often inopportune and frankly annoyingly embarrassing times (not just whilst cycling btw…but quite a few times).

    After a few experiments in the eighties, and a few worrying cramps on a bike, i eventually started using old fashioned broad based Quill pedals and toe clips that allowed me to adjust the angle slightly of my feet from time to time within the pedal (sideways) whilst riding so as not to keep them “fixed” in one position. It worked perfectly. 

    Being as that was all before clipless you can probably work out what my questions are going to be…

    How “fixed” are feet within a clipless pedal?…

    also

    Just how much more efficient are they than an old fashioned toe clip and strap, i know they sound more efficient but are they…and by how much?..if i’m not missing out on much then i’d sooner have the comfort…am i?

     

     

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  • April 6, 2018 at 11:13 pm #916413
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    MartyMcCann

    The answers will depend on

    The answers will depend on what system you go for. For example, with Shimano SPD-SL pedals you can use cleats with various levels of “float”- the red ones are totally rigid and have no room for movement , the yellow ones have most float and the blue ones come in between. The more float, the more your feet, ankles and knees can move about, so are less likely to suffer from being in an unnatural position for too long (if the cleats aren’t set up correctly) though the more the feet move the less efficient- as a (really, really broad rule of thumb) many sprinters in the pro peloton will use the reds to ensure as much power as possible through less movement, whereas other riders will generally go yellow for the comfort). The other systems (SPD, Speedplay, Look Keo etc) will all have different approaches but I am most used to SPD-SLs, but I’m sure other Road.cc posters will share their experiences of those)

    It would be difficult to get a figure around efficiency since everyone basically has a different pedal stroke and different needs. GCN did a video a few years back that stated flat pedals were as efficent as clipless though there was a bit of scorn poured on the methods they used and it was probably more click bait material to garner comments and shares than a serious bit of research. Generally though (and I was still using toe clips up to the ealry 2000s) I definitely prefer the clipless (with the added advantage of them being easier to disengage from if you come off than the straps and toeclips!).

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