Clip-Ins Vs. Straps

Ok people, what is your preferences and why? i cant decide which to go for but i am slightly leaning towards clip-ins

the 'clip ins' you're talking about are called clipless.

Try them both and see which you prefer.

Clipless pedals offer better power transfer but if you don't go for a certain kind and a certain shoe you'll be clip-clopping around and may need a spare pair of shoes.

Clips and straps have a less efficient power transfer but people swear by powergrips and double straps. There is also no need to buy anything other than the pedals/clips/straps which are considerably cheaper than buying clipless pedals, shoes and cleats.

ive been riding clipless for 2 years now, i do quite like it and prefer it over a conventional pedal (i.e flat MTB pedal) is it any harder to ride with clipless than straps when skidding?

but heres two good reasons to have clipless:

1. You have to bring a change of shoes, which means your smelly cycling shoes can be left somewhere, meaning your feet don't smell
   
2. In summer when flip flops are necessary, you cant really ride fixed in them, so clipless wins again.
   
   

however, you get some odd looks from friends.

oh and utfs.

yawn (utfs).

I'm older than the hills and so I should know better(I 'spose I still think I'm 16)but skidding clipless on Thursday night having lubed squeaking pedal/cleat interface, I inadvertently unclipped one leg and ended up being seen by next door neighbour clattering down into a bloody heap at the bottom of his driveway.WAC!

clipless pedals are better, fact. clips and straps are for nostalgists.

old school double straps everytime

Detailed comparisons between the two can be found here.

I'm older than the hills and so I should know better(I 'spose I still think I'm 16)but skidding clipless on Thursday night having lubed squeaking pedal/cleat interface, I inadvertently unclipped one leg and ended up being seen by next door neighbour clattering down into a bloody heap at the bottom of his driveway.WAC!

i wouldn't lube that interface, it doesn't need it & sounds like it ended in tears, heal fast.

time to tighten your pedals & check you cleats for wear (may need replacing)

unclipduringskidfail is scary so it's important to maintain your cleats/pedals regularly.

i wouldn't lube that interface, it doesn't need it & sounds like it ended in tears

+1

i did search guys, obviously for the wrong thing, sorry :( i was typing in clip ins so thats probably why. . .

but heres two good reasons to have clipless:

1. You have to bring a change of shoes, which means your smelly cycling shoes can be left somewhere, meaning your feet don't smell
   
2. In summer when flip flops are necessary, you cant really ride fixed in them, so clipless wins again.
   
   
   

I think it is legal to carry a spare pair of shoes with you even if you go with toe clips and straps...

I think clipless are almost certainly more efficient etc... but I still ride with toe clips and straps. I'm old, I'm happy with clips and straps, I think they are nicer looking, they're cheaper...

clips and straps take more time getting used to i think, i couldn't be bothered to get used to them so just stuck with spds, but do wish i could cycle in normal trainers. i need to get me some of them nike spds.

i did search guys, obviously for the wrong thing, sorry :( i was typing in clip ins so thats probably why. . .

So why didn't you read this thread then:
http://www.londonfgss.com/thread5648.html?highlight=clip+ins

When we say use the search it doesn't mean click the button, ignore the results and then post your topic anyway.

searched for straps :( im reading the thread now. . .

Clips and double straps without a doubt:

You can use normal shoes
Very low chance of total failure (both straps snapping at the same time), if checked regularly for wear
Whereas clipless pedals/shoes can be extremely dangerous if you have one fail on you unexpectedly, as several people on here have found out.
More comfortable
Good for tricks as well (if you wanna do that kind of thing)

Clipless without a doubt:

You can use proper shoes
Very low chance of total failure, if checked regularly for wear
Whereas clipless pedals/shoes can be just as dangerous as clips straps if you have one fail on you unexpectedly, as several people on here have found out.
More comfortable
Tricks are well shit (if you wanna do that kind of thing)

I agree

Haha nice one hippy, hmmm il mull it over :)

I haz da lolz :p

Haha nice one hippy, but mullets are so over :)

I agree

FFS will UTFS.

Godd

jokes mate

shush, i did!

get the fuck off here and revise, or come on a ride

I'm a recent clipless convert. Dey iz da awesomez.

I think what CrazyJames' point is referring to is if you want to join the brakless brigade. If you have a front brake then an unclip fail isn't the end of the world.

I'm currently using ATACs. It's only been a couple of months but so far so good. I've never felt worried about unclipping or anything like that. In fact, providing I keep an eye on cleat wear, I find it hard to believe it could ever happen. You never know though...

I quite liked my clips and double straps but peeps are right - the power transfer isn't quite the same. You can of course tighten straps but then if a car takes you out you're pretty much stuck to your bike. At least with clipless pedals you've got a better chance of coming free from your bike in the event of a collision. Which I see as a good thing!