I was talking to a mate the other day about clipons.
I stopped using mine for two reasons.
- fell over because foot got stuck
- I mainly mountain bike and that fraction of a second delay in releasing your foot can be crucial in a crunch moment!
A bonus for a clip-on is the ability to up pull especially on an uphill climb
My mate agreed and his solution is to have one clipon and one normal.
I didn't start cycling seriously unto my 40's (now 67). Started with the cages - which I think are more dangerous than any option. I went to Shimano clip-in but now use Speedplay as they are easier to clip in. Like anything new they might feel unnatural, but once you get used to them clipping out quickly is not a concern. If you are a very casual rider going short distances they are not needed as the benefit is you are much more efficient in your riding. If you consider cycling a prat of your life you owe it to yourself to get over the learning curve. You'll be glad you did.
Clip-ons don't suit my cycling style. My terrain varies too much to make switching between clip-on and normal pedals feasible.
When bikepacking, I ride in running shoes while carrying hiking shoes/sandals – tackling mountains, trails, and river crossings. Clip-on shoes would be impossible.
The versatility of running shoes is key. I can walk quietly around villages, trail run whenever I want, or easily run errands. Plus, I cycle to burn calories, so increased efficiency isn't my goal..@D_Arch
And, to be honest, I'm a bit nervous about being "attached" to the bike! My running shoes and flat pedals are simply more versatile.
Attached is a picture of my route on current bikepacking trip. This route involved several stream crossings, and I was glad I had the Salomon water shoes I'd picked up used. And, I can trail run or walk around in these. So, versatility is key to me..
Clip-in pedals are only intended for a specific demographic of mountain bikers, specifically those ride on hilly grass, gravel terrain, and hard packed trails. Some of these are downhill jams, and in both cases, the terrain supports the use of clip-in pedals due to the absence of obstacles. They provide constant tension to maximize cadence, power transfer, and power delivery.
Some savant riders get very good at using the clip-in pedals, and they use them to provide lift power to jump over obstacles on more challenging courses, especially with carbon mountain bikes.
Just to say, some gear is intended with a specific purpose, not all purpose.
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