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Post by Radchenister on Apr 5, 2014 8:00:58 GMT
Performance is better without question, at the point you're at, it might be an improvement that's more at the comfort end of the spectrum but it's only a short amount of experience before you can sprint for village signs and tops of rises etc just for fun when out with mates, you'd have no hope of getting as much power out if not using clipless, I use LOOK style pedals with grey cleats at 4.5 degrees of float at present on road and track.
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tri5
Peloton Rider
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Post by tri5 on Apr 5, 2014 8:19:49 GMT
For me the security in having your feet fixed in place is a bonus. When its wet you don't have to worry about your feet slipping and can concentrate on pushing hard to get up hills. I supose this then translates to more power through confidence.
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Post by Radchenister on Apr 5, 2014 8:52:31 GMT
True, find the clip of Mr L E Gunderson when he breaks out his binding and that's all the science you need. To me using flat pedals and shoes (I do this on one of my MTBs) is like skiing with the bindings loose, doable but you wouldn't want to push it on. When you climb out the saddle hard in a sort of jogging style, on occasions you can feel the back wheel skip a bit on the upstroke (had this yesterday, larking about racing my buddy). Simply dodgy to be cycling like that in trainers. I also believe that the support given to your feet and leg is greater over time, allowing your muscles to work a little easier, the thought of 100+ kms in trainers makes me wince - no one bothers doing studies on it because it's a no brainer IMHO.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2014 8:56:49 GMT
I am on SPD's and find comfort and power transfer much better. I've heard its not so much pulling up on the pedal with cleats but heard it described as a 'wiping dog muck off your shoe' action . Ie you get an extension to the top but mainly the bottom of your stroke. To be honest I do not find this very noticeable but when climbing it allows you to smooth your strokes putting the power in with less jerking; and this really does help. Has anyone really noticed any difference between SPDs and SPD-SLs? Think the broader base might be even more comfortable over long distances.
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Post by Radchenister on Apr 5, 2014 9:07:36 GMT
I can't prove it but I used to get leg bicep tendonitis on my left leg, it may have been coincidental that it cleared up last spring switching from 'MTB' to 'Road' style, it might have been just an adjustment in position issue, extra stiffness in the shoe sole (some MTB ones are better than others), warmer weather, weight loss, a combination of these etc. but my niggling pains cleared up.
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Post by Steph on Apr 5, 2014 9:51:30 GMT
This thread is making me want to make the switch to clipless even more. I'm heading over to Decathlon later and I have a feeling I may end up spending the money I'm going to earn next week before I've even done the work At the very least I'm going to try a few shoes on etc and see how things are. I tried the MuddyFox ones on in SportsDirect last week but need to compare them to something else. Still don't know if I'll go for MTB or Road though.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2014 10:20:23 GMT
Steph, please don't waste your money on the muddy fox shoes. A friend of mine showed me the flex in the soles and it was shocking.
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Post by Radchenister on Apr 5, 2014 10:47:53 GMT
They're not great, I wear them on my MTB though still, robertsims still uses them but he's a young 'un and doesn't get the same pains as us old timers lol .
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Post by robertsims on Apr 5, 2014 11:17:12 GMT
Well I use mtb pedals and muddy fox shoes! Done about 3000 miles in them including 2 imperial centuries and neber had moments trouble...however I've never used anything else so no comparison possible. Shoes are such an individual thing and all depends on fit. A well fitting cheap pair infinitely better than expensive poor fitting pair. Others opinions on good bad shoes is fairly irrelevant to be honest.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2014 11:19:21 GMT
Spd's and muddyfox are Ok to start with and on short jaunts. But once you start upping the k's, stiffer shoes and sl style (road style) pedals and kleats are a must. Found I was getting serious ball(foot) ache when using spds over any distance.
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Post by Radchenister on Apr 5, 2014 11:42:38 GMT
That's about as rounded a set of views as anyone is ever going to get on the situation.
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Post by zoltansocrates on Apr 5, 2014 11:55:07 GMT
Softer soles means the flex is taken up by your bones, your outer foot bones, whatever they are called, take the weight pushing down and this can cause nerve problems and that's not good, trainers? Complete non starter might as well wear rollerblades fwiw If you are new to clip less entirely I'd go with spd so or keo straight away, buying mtb stuff will open your eyes to the advantages but then you WILL want to take it to the logical next step at which point you've paid for,pedals and potentially shoes you no longer want, might aswel jump straight in, I didn't really notice any diff in the disengagement process so it's not a massive upheaval I suppose as long as you make the move from soft soles and pedals with straps it's going in the right direction but never skimp on contact point kit - pedals/shoes, mitts and shorts
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Post by jondxxx on Apr 5, 2014 12:06:12 GMT
Another point to consider is that spd cleats are recessed into the sole and are a lot easier to walk in if you ever do more than walk in and out of the coffee shop.
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Post by robertsims on Apr 5, 2014 12:27:17 GMT
Another point to consider is that spd cleats are recessed into the sole and are a lot easier to walk inΒ if you ever do more than walk in and out of the coffee shop. This is the reason I stick with mtb shoes as regularly commute and walking from bike shed at work to office would be nightmare
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Post by Radchenister on Apr 5, 2014 12:36:43 GMT
Mmm ... ( Risk being accused of not being impartial here now I realise ... but come on, they're beautiful )
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