Clipless Pedals in Cities - Irresponsible

MickeyTake · 06-05-2013 02:32PM #1

The advantages of using clipless (clip-in) pedals are obvious to anyone who uses them. However, surely there is a time and a place for their use. I have been cycling through Dublin City at peak times (8.30am and 5.30pm ish) for the last number of years, and having seen every type of cyclist under the sun in that time, I have formed an opinion that using clipless pedals to cycle through a large urban area at peak times is dangerous and irresponsible. Surely the benefits are far outweighted by the cost of increased time to get your foot to the ground.

There is no argument that it doesn't take longer to get your foot out. For example, if a child runs out in front of you from behind a car in traffic, it will take longer to unclip so you can safely stop than if you are just using platform pedals.

What if a car user wanted to clip his feet onto the accelerator and clutch because it helped him to drive more efficiently, but therefore increased his braking time - would that be ok? Surely not.

I am a big fan of clipless pedals, and use them when cycling for recreation. However, using them in cities at peak time is not appropriate in my opinion - especially for those cyclists that think they are in the Tour de France while cycling down Gardiner Street.

Would anyone agree?

07Lapierre · 06-05-2013 02:37PM

No!

Mint Sauce · 06-05-2013 02:39PM

Sometimes you have to cycle through a city to get to your destination.

macnab · 06-05-2013 02:39PM

No.

Mr. Grieves · 06-05-2013 02:39PM

MickeyTake wrote: »

There is no argument that it doesn't take longer to get your foot out. For example, if a child runs out in front of you from behind a car in traffic, it will take longer to unclip so you can safely stop than if you are just using platform pedals.

This is not true for anybody used to using clipless pedals. I've had the front tyre slip on a wet manhole cover and my foot was out before I'd even consiously registered that anything had happened. Also, stopping quickly and safely has nothing to do with being able to put your foot on the ground.

marketty · 06-05-2013 02:40PM

If you come to a sudden stop for some reason and don't unclip in time you're the only one that's going to be hurt, as far as I can see

LennoxR · 06-05-2013 02:49PM

MickeyTake wrote: »

The advantages of using clipless (clip-in) pedals are obvious to anyone who uses them. However, surely there is a time and a place for their use. I have been cycling through Dublin City at peak times (8.30am and 5.30pm ish) for the last number of years, and having seen every type of cyclist under the sun in that time, I have formed an opinion that using clipless pedals to cycle through a large urban area at peak times is dangerous and irresponsible. Surely the benefits are far outweighted by the cost of increased time to get your foot to the ground.

There is no argument that it doesn't take longer to get your foot out. For example, if a child runs out in front of you from behind a car in traffic, it will take longer to unclip so you can safely stop than if you are just using platform pedals.

What if a car user wanted to clip his feet onto the accelerator and clutch because it helped him to drive more efficiently, but therefore increased his braking time - would that be ok? Surely not.

I am a big fan of clipless pedals, and use them when cycling for recreation. However, using them in cities at peak time is not appropriate in my opinion - especially for those cyclists that think they are in the Tour de France while cycling down Gardiner Street.

Would anyone agree?

No offence but that's complete rubbish. I worked as a courier for a year and half in the city centre using spd pedals and it was never an issue. You just flick your ankle and you're out. In any case it doesn't have anything to do with stopping times.

Not having well maintained brakes, ok the clipless pedals are neither here nor there.

Dermot Illogical · 06-05-2013 03:01PM

How have you managed to link being clipped in with braking times? Are you one of those fellas who uses the soles of his shoes to stop or something?

patrick151 · 06-05-2013 03:05PM

Not a courier but I ride Fixed and clipless for my commute and I'd wager it would be more dangerous of me without clips. Once I'm up to speed keeping my foot on the pedal becomes difficult without foot retention. Secondly, I brake with my legs(I do have a front brake people chill out) so I stop quicker with clips. I never worry about slipping off the pedals, and steering into traffic because of it, with them and can control my bike that bit better while firmly attached to it

Never had an issue in an emergency either, when I've needed my foot out of the pedal(panicking) I've always been able to either twist my foot out in time or just pull hard enough it pops out

Even had a Pedestrian step out in front of me on O'Connell street in the wet, while on my road bike, last week. Managed to unclip one foot, while braking- which caused my rear wheel to lock on the slippy road, but i could controlled it to a stop with my leading, still clipped in, foot

I say your argument is utter rubbish OP

Somewhat related: I find it funny that when i started ridding clipless that I was gonna get hurt from not being able to clip out but now I'm scared to ride without them- in case I get hurt

Edit: just realized your OP's account name... damn it

el tel · 06-05-2013 03:20PM

You unclip from so-called clipless pedals by removing your foot just like you would on platform pedals. I should think in an emergency stop it would make minimal difference. I think that it is in slow speed manoeuvres and taking off from standstill where clipless pedals are perhaps a hindrance in stop start urban traffic.

Keep_Her_Lit · 06-05-2013 03:31PM

MickeyTake wrote: »

I am a big fan of clipless pedals, and use them when cycling for recreation. However, using them in cities at peak time is not appropriate in my opinion - especially for those cyclists that think they are in the Tour de France while cycling down Gardiner Street.

So you think that those cyclists that think they are in the Tour de France while cycling down Gardiner Street should ride on flat pedals. Hmmm. That just doesn't compute for me. Sorry.

The Big Lebowsky · 06-05-2013 04:08PM

I'm using speedplay zero's, and never had a problem unclipping in heavy traffic...My pedals are doublesided, so no looking down or fumbling to clip in as you pull away from the traffic lights:D

rollingscone · 06-05-2013 04:37PM

I feel waaaay way safer in SPDs, especially in the wet. I stop before I clip out generally (it's that fast) and find that not only am I spared the wet weather 'look ma! No feet' (also known as the tap dance of death) I also have more control of the bike at all times.

I could think of a handful of times where being clipped in actually saved my skin from the incompetence of motorists or other cyclists.

Chips Lovell · 06-05-2013 04:47PM

What?

The tax man · 06-05-2013 04:51PM

MickeyTake, you taking the Mick?
Complete and utter rubbish and it's not even a Friday.
Anyone can unclip a foot a lot faster than your brakes would stop the bike in an emergency.

CardinalJ · 06-05-2013 04:52PM

Maybe people who have just got their first clipped in pedals/shoes, might struggle for the first while, but I don't think a trip through town would be their first port of call to be honest.

People who cycle like idiots will cycle like idiots regardless of whether they're clipped in.

elduggo · 06-05-2013 04:59PM

Dermot Illogical wrote: »

How have you managed to link being clipped in with braking times? Are you one of those fellas who uses the soles of his shoes to stop or something?

I had a raleigh burner when I was 7 and we used to do this. Me ma gave me a clip round the ear for wearing out the soles of me runners though so I had to stop it.

Dermot Illogical · 06-05-2013 05:14PM

elduggo wrote: »

I had a raleigh burner when I was 7 and we used to do this. Me ma gave me a clip round the ear for wearing out the soles of me runners though so I had to stop it.

Did the same, but on a racer too big for me so I had to cycle with one leg through the frame. When I got bigger I didn't have working brakes all that often so the side of the shoe against the rim of the front wheel did the job.
Memories, eh?

Columbia · 06-05-2013 05:15PM

Do you mean clipped pedals by any chance OP? That's the only thing I can think of to make sense of the post, although I don't know anybody who, having seen a child step on to the road in front of them, would choose to loosen their clips before applying the brakes. I assume everybody would hit the brakes as hard as possible, and if they flop over like a dead fish once stopped, so be it.

What about riding with your hands on the bar tops? Now that really would slow down your braking if a child stepped on to the road.

TheBlaaMan · 06-05-2013 05:21PM

Ah come on, this is a wind-up, isn't it?

Piss take = taking the mickey = MickeyTake....... presumably

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekQ_Ja02gTY

mistermatthew · 06-05-2013 05:24PM

Its not as dangerous as a Dura-ace chain in the city, too much speed.

kenmc · 06-05-2013 08:30PM

MickeyTake wrote: »

There is no argument that it doesn't take longer to get your foot out. For example, if a child runs out in front of you from behind a car in traffic, it will take longer to unclip so you can safely stop than if you are just using platform pedals.

why are you using your feet to brake? wierdo.

doozerie · 06-05-2013 08:36PM

MickeyTake wrote: »

There is no argument that it doesn't take longer to get your foot out.

"Oh yes there is! Isn't there, boys and girls?!"

rollingscone · 06-05-2013 08:38PM

What about the dangers of wearing helmets without cushioning on the outside?

For when you get catapulted and hit a child with the hard outer plastic of your helmet?

Dermot Illogical · 06-05-2013 08:40PM

rollingscone wrote: »

What about the dangers of wearing helmet's without cushioning on the outside?

For when you get catapulted and hit a child with the hard outer plastic of your helmet?

You lost me at possessive.

Zyzz · 06-05-2013 08:46PM

Possibly the most useless thread Ive seen this year on boards..

RobFowl · 06-05-2013 08:48PM

07Lapierre wrote: »

No!

+1

MrCreosote · 06-05-2013 09:17PM

I think the OP is on to something here. The studies clearly show that clipless pedal users are more likely to engage in other deviant behaviours like track-standing and leg shaving. Even though they might improve pedalling efficiency, the risk compensation increases the danger for ALL road users, not just children.

Countries like Australia that have made platform pedals compulsory have a healthier and safer cycling culture.

Darkglasses · 06-05-2013 09:52PM

Absolute baloney. We get a reasonable amount of drivel here, but clipless pedals making my stopping distance longer is right up there.

Squidgy Black · 07-05-2013 12:31AM

Such a flawed argument, you keep linking being clipped in with braking times, and as if being clipped in is the equivalent to not being able to stop.

Are you sure you're not thinking of fixed gear bikes as opposed to clipless pedals? Whole different argument there too..

rp · 07-05-2013 08:55AM

stetyrrell wrote: »

Are you sure you're not thinking of fixed gear bikes as opposed to clipless pedals? Whole different argument there too..

So how does only having one gear ratio and no freewheel effect my ability to stop?

Clipless Pedals in Cities - Irresponsible

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