Is a roadbike worth it without clips

parking_question_chap

Evening


I currently cycle several miles to work each day and I have a hybrid bike which is a bit of a heavy lump.

I am considering getting a second hand road bike but I dont want to have to use clips. Would this be worthwhile?

My main reasons or wanting a road bike are both speed, and lightness as I currently have to carry the bike around a bit a both ends of the journey.

Nasqueron

Road bikes normally come without pedals, just choose the ones you want or get the old owner to remove them. Plenty of people use flats on them, there is no requirement to use clipless unless you want the benefits

esuhl

You can tuck your trousers into your socks. Some bikes have guards round the chainwheel so you don't need clips at all.

Johnmcl7

No, you don't have to use clips on a road bike - I've done 9-10 hour days up to 125 miles on flats without issue, I prefer the feel to clipless. The thinner tyres and more tucked position will give you a decent performance boost over a lot of hybrids, I was surprised how much faster a low end road bike was than my hybrid which was a fairly light one.

John

Nasqueron

Looking at esuhl's comment I am now a bit confused - is this clips for trousers (in which case I think commuting with trousers, I would do this to avoid oil etc) or clipped in pedals like spd/spd-sl?


Clip - yes get them if you want trousers to stay tidy and clean
Clipless pedals - do what you feel comfortable with

Johnmcl7

Nasqueron wrote: »

Looking at esuhl's comment I am now a bit confused - is this clips for trousers (in which case I think commuting with trousers, I would do this to avoid oil etc) or clipped in pedals like spd/spd-sl?


Clip - yes get them if you want trousers to stay tidy and clean
Clipless pedals - do what you feel comfortable with

I was assuming it's in relation to pedals as toe-clips/clipless are generally associated with road bikes and unless the hybrid had an enclosed chain or belt drive, the issue of trousers catching on a chain ring would be the same.

John

parking_question_chap

Clipped pedals was what I meant.


Thanks for the replies.

Lorian

There are plenty of very lightweight hybrids with good gear sets, slightly more relaxed geometry, but straight bars. Of course when you pay for this you pay almost the same as a road bike. I have a Trek Hybrid and it's no slouch even with me on it. I don't use clips, just light flat pedals.

wongataa

parking_question_chap wrote: »

Evening


I currently cycle several miles to work each day and I have a hybrid bike which is a bit of a heavy lump.

I am considering getting a second hand road bike but I dont want to have to use clips. Would this be worthwhile?

As with any bike you can use any pedals you like. It is completely up to you what pedals you use. Who cares what anyone else says, just use what pedals you prefer using.

peachyprice

Do you have many sets of traffic lights on your commute? If yes, think about what you will do when you have to stop.

Many a cyclist can be seen falling over at traffic lights all over the country, it's a bit like cow tipping.

A vid here
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2014/may/14/clipless-pedals-why-you-dont-need-to-be-scared-of-switching

Nasqueron

Clipless pedals take about 5 minutes to get used to, then get used to unclipping 5-10m before the line. Id suggest SPD for commuting if you want to use them as they have shoes with recessed cleats so you can walk in them. Otherwise flats can work fine for commuting