Cleats. Are they worth the stress?

House_Martin

I only switched to cleats because i wanted to test out this upstroke pull theory and how much more speed is obtained.. but "energy in, energy out " will just transfer itself to the muscles occupied in trying to up-pull.There`s no free lunch and I ended up using more energy with, IMO, absolutely no gain. Its too complicated to keep up..I also remember trying the "rotating ankle joint theory" in an effort to apply some more downforce.. after a few near misses in looking stupid/heading for A and E , I think I will flog the pedals and new shoes on Ebay and relax a bit as I zoom up to a junction.
I wonder if those super humans in the Tour de France use the technique ?.I agree that the technique is ok for racers and pro cyclists but people like me who like to look at the scenery passing they are just not required/needed and potentially more dangerous.
In my younger days I cycled from Yorkshire to Greece and many other trips just pushing down steadily on the pedals and managed over 100 miles a day on my Jack Taylor Tour of Britain bike..with no 3d nappy shorts on neither on a Brooks Pro saddle

esuhl

I've got a friend who keeps telling me to use clipless pedals. It's starting to get annoying now!

I just like the jump-on-and-off-ability of flat pedals! My bike is my only transport, so I want to be able to ride around town in normal clothes some of the time.

And I also find that my legs/ankles get uncomfortable if I keep me feet in the same position.

I'm not overly concerned with efficiency. If my bike gets more efficient, I'll just have to spend longer exercising to get the same workout!

And I find it hard enough to get normal shoes that fit. I hate shopping, so the idea of spending ages finding the "right" MTB shoes for me would drive me crazy!

As for a bike computer... I love mine! I got it to measure distances, so I could more accurately follow maps without getting lost.

But I also use the "total distance" as a guide to how much further I can keep going before my muscles become limp and I'm stranded! And also to give me an idea of my level of fitness. If I start to feel exhausted after 20 miles, I know that cycling to my friend's house 30 miles away is out of the question.

Also, the "average speed" really helps me because I can see if I've been pushing it too hard and need to slow down so I don't burn out too quickly.

If I'm averaging over 14mph (on my heavy mountain bike with knobbly tyres and panniers), I know to calm down a bit so I don't run out of steam on the way home.

esuhl

brat wrote: »

I use the upstroke more these days than ever before. The upstroke is an essential part of sprinting, and obtaining max anaerobic power for a short period of time.
I've (sadly) been virtual racing on the turbo trainer this spring, and there is no question that if you want to keep in touch after each break from the front, or if you want to break from the pack, you need to push top watts for a short period to get back or stay in the group for best aero assistance. To do that, you really need the benefit of the upstroke.

So, I don't use the upstroke routinely, but I would argue it's an essential part of the racer's arsenal, to provide a 'turbo boost' when necessary.

Ah, that's interesting. I don't ride competitively at all, so that sort-of backs up my theory that I (personally) wouldn't find much benefit in cleated shoes.

The one thing that did attract to me to them was the fact that you use extra muscle groups. From a purely healthy/keep-fit point-of-view, it seems that the more muscles you're exercising, the better (?!)

glennevis

I've used cleats since the eighties (before SPDs were invented) and still use them now. My current Look pedals are cleated on one side and flat on the other. I have both non-cleated and cleated stiff-soled cycling shoes so I know that for me personally it definitely takes less effort to ride in cleats, especially uphill. That is just riding tempo, not competitively at all.

Town riding is not a problem; try 'forward observation' and plan your stops. Being able to do the occasional track stand gives you time to unclip if caught out. And it helps if you adjust the spring so that it takes very little twisting force to unclip.

Manxman_in_exile

JP08 wrote: »

I don't use them as I have one knee that just won't allow me to twist the foot far enough quickly enough to get out in the emergency stop situation you describe (and yes, I've ended up lying in the road or on the verge several times as a result).

Personally I use old fashioned toe clips and straps. Set right they give you some of the advantages of cleats (ie pulling up etc, as well as putting your foot in the right position on the pedal - even if you don't do up the straps the clip parts are useful for this - it makes a real difference) but you can get feet out pretty easily - just watch for ridged soles on your footwear, they can catch on the pedals and you're back on your side in the road again.

I agree. Both my knees are a bit dodgy and I've never liked the thought of "twisting" to get out of clipless pedals. I also use toe clips together with loose toe straps and they are more than sufficient for what I like to think of as fitness sessions!

wongataa

Manxman_in_exile wrote: »

I agree. Both my knees are a bit dodgy and I've never liked the thought of "twisting" to get out of clipless pedals. I also use toe clips together with loose toe straps and they are more than sufficient for what I like to think of as fitness sessions!

You can get multi release cleats for Shimano's SPD system that will allow you to release your foot with a yank in any direction, not just a twist.

House_Martin

wongataa wrote: »

You can get multi release cleats for Shimano's SPD system that will allow you to release your foot with a yank in any direction, not just a twist.

I ve got them, they don t release with an upward yank unless its extremely hard,still need an awkward sideways twist to release..hopeless and totally unnecessary IMO .
Brat has supplied the answer.They can potentially yield more watts in an eyeballs out sprint or fast as possible breakaway in using the small section of the pedal action from around 9m to 12pm of the circle on applying an upstroke..strictly of benefit to amateur and pro racers only..No need for the average cyclist tootling around the countryside to waste their money ..A money sucker and a win win for Shimano and Look. because some of the shoes and cleated pedals cost over a £100 ..
Maybe they stop the shoe slipping off the pedal..never found that a problem personally.
My flat pedals are extremely light and cheap, Wellgo CNC M142 , only £27 and 236 gms a pair, that is around 24grms less weight as Shimano Ultras carbon fibres at £80 a pair, 260 grms.Paired up with lighter comfortable shoes such as breathable Hotter leather slip- ons and lower the aggro and weight too..I dont need to "forward think " at junctions as well. .

Manxman_in_exile

wongataa wrote: »

You can get multi release cleats for Shimano's SPD system that will allow you to release your foot with a yank in any direction, not just a twist.

I'm sure that's the case but I'm afraid even the thought of a "yank "rather than a twist makes me wince!

[Deleted User]

esuhl wrote: »

I find it hard enough to get normal shoes that fit.

Me too. For years and donkeys years I used to use Stead and Simpsons' Hobos, until they stopped making them. They were ideal: wide enough for my feet, narrow enough for the pedals, soles that were very tough enough for cycling, but flexible and comfortable to walk in. They were also water resistant, very hard wearing, and less than half the price of a cycling shoe.

I've never really found anything I'm happy with since.

wongataa

Manxman_in_exile wrote: »

I'm sure that's the case but I'm afraid even the thought of a "yank "rather than a twist makes me wince!

If the tension is set low it isn't a big yank. It doesn't take much effort to release regular cleats with the tension at the minimum.