General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Toe Clips vs. Clipless pedals Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2006-06-14 4:13 PM

Expert
1113
1000100
Las Vegas
Subject: Toe Clips vs. Clipless pedals
Hey all, my buddies and I were talking the other day about what we could do to shorten our transition times. Both my buddies have clipless, and I have the toe clips (borrowing a friends bike, considering swapping out for clipless). The obvious advantage to clipless is power, the obvious advantage to toe clips is you can wear the same shoes for bike and run.
Does anyone have anything they would like to add to broaden my knowledge on the subject? Thanks


2006-06-14 4:25 PM
in reply to: #454521

User image

Champion
6285
50001000100100252525
Beautiful Sonoma County
Subject: RE: Toe Clips vs. Clipless pedals
I have a faster T2 time than my uber tri friends: rack bike, remove helmet/camelbak, grab running hat and racebelt and go...  I'd trade it all for a pair of titanium SpeedPlays though.
2006-06-14 4:32 PM
in reply to: #454521

User image

Expert
1169
10001002525
Charlottesville, VA
Subject: RE: Toe Clips vs. Clipless pedals
A little practice, and I can't see why someone who has clipless shoes can't have transition times that are virtually identical with toeclips. I like riding clipless, anyway, and I wouldn't want to give it up for a few seconds of time in the transition zones -- false economy in my opinion.
2006-06-14 4:32 PM
in reply to: #454521

User image

Champion
11641
50005000100050010025
Fairport, NY
Subject: RE: Toe Clips vs. Clipless pedals

Toe clips may get you a faster transition time, but you'll either be later coming into T2, or you'll be more tired when you do.

Clipless pedals result in a pretty dramatic increase in efficiency of transfer of power from your legs to the drive train, so the time savings in transition would have to be significant.

You can cut down on transition time with clipless pedals by 1) taking your feet out of your bike shoes before you dismount 2) using Yankz or other elastic laces so putting on running shoes is a mere matter of seconds.

Look at it this way: ITU athletes use clipless pedals and those races are frequently won and lost by seconds. If toe clips gave even a few seconds advantage, ITU pros would use them. They don't.

2006-06-14 4:34 PM
in reply to: #454521

User image

Champion
7036
5000200025
Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: Toe Clips vs. Clipless pedals

Bike shoe and running shoes are two completely different animals.  Good bike shoes have very stiff soles to facilitate the transfer of power, whereas running shoes are much more flexible and designed to cushion and support.

 I used toe clips & running shoes for my first couple of tri's but found I would pull out of the clips on the backside of the stroke unless I tightened the straps to the point where it cut off the circulation in my feet.  Picking up 2 mph on the bike within a  month of switching to clipless pedals more than made up for the extra ten seconds it takes to slide on my running shoes.

Mark

2006-06-14 4:51 PM
in reply to: #454521

User image

Resident Curmudgeon
25290
50005000500050005000100100252525
The Road Back
Gold member
Subject: RE: Toe Clips vs. Clipless pedals
Keeping your cycling shoes on the pedals (in T1 and T2) will give you transition times nearly comparable to toe clips, just a scant few seconds to slip on the running shoes, without the loss of power and efficiency. 


2006-06-14 6:12 PM
in reply to: #454576

Expert
1113
1000100
Las Vegas
Subject: RE: Toe Clips vs. Clipless pedals
I appreciate your input guys, I guess with so many in favor of the clipless, it would be assanine to assume I would shave enough time off with toe clips to justify it.
BT rocks! Can't find this much hands on experience this fast anywhere else on the web.
2006-06-14 6:13 PM
in reply to: #454632

Expert
1113
1000100
Las Vegas
Subject: RE: Toe Clips vs. Clipless pedals
Could the fact that I use running shoes on the bike have anything to do with the severe calf cramping I experienced at my last tri? Didn't know if it might be related or not.
2006-06-14 9:01 PM
in reply to: #454521

Master
1534
100050025
Subject: RE: Toe Clips vs. Clipless pedals
2006-06-14 10:21 PM
in reply to: #454633

User image

, Texas
Subject: RE: Toe Clips vs. Clipless pedals
I think so. The main reason I switched to clipless pedals was that the pedal cages weren't deep enough for my running shoes (I wore snug indoor soccer shoes as my "cycling" shoes) which put the pedal too far forward on my foot. I think this caused some calf stiffness/soreness when I came off of the bike.


ryanlc - 2006-06-14 6:13 PM

Could the fact that I use running shoes on the bike have anything to do with the severe calf cramping I experienced at my last tri? Didn't know if it might be related or not.
2006-06-14 10:48 PM
in reply to: #454521

Perth
Subject: RE: Toe Clips vs. Clipless pedals

I use clipless, but when we get to this level.....

http://www.melbourne2006.com.au/Sports+and+Venues/Triathlon/News/20060318+Don+leads+out+of+water.htm

Maybe rat traps are the way to go...he rode in running shoes and credits that to the win, he was out of transition like a bullet and never got cought...



2014-01-08 9:46 PM
in reply to: 0

User image

Extreme Veteran
357
1001001002525
Huntington Beach, CA
Subject: RE: Toe Clips vs. Clipless pedals
Absolutely could be. I just had a very conditioned and experienced cyclist (I run a local road cycling team) develop a knee issue over the last couple months and as a result we checked everything - his body alignment, rechecked his bike fit and cleat position. Massage and chiro adjustments would get him back to a good place but then just a moderate ride would put him back out of whack. It ended up being that for some reason mid shoe life he needed more arch support. So I would imagine a soft running shoe sole could wreak havoc on your feet while pedaling with any power.

Edited by 17281posse 2014-01-08 9:48 PM
2014-01-08 9:48 PM
in reply to: 17281posse

User image

Expert
2192
2000100252525
Greenville, SC
Subject: RE: Toe Clips vs. Clipless pedals

im sure 8 years later he will appreciate your input.

2014-01-08 9:57 PM
in reply to: Clempson

User image

Extreme Veteran
643
50010025
, Guam
Subject: RE: Toe Clips vs. Clipless pedals
Originally posted by Clempson

im sure 8 years later he will appreciate your input.




X2
Where is the "like" button?
2014-01-09 10:21 AM
in reply to: #454521

User image


928
50010010010010025
Subject: RE: Toe Clips vs. Clipless pedals
I'm not sure about other places but here in BC races don't allow cage clips. It's either clipless or nothing.

And cycling hard in running shoes can definitely cause strain on your calves (and the plantar fascia and other foot muscles).
2014-01-10 12:36 AM
in reply to: jknapman

User image

Veteran
2297
2000100100252525
Great White North
Subject: RE: Toe Clips vs. Clipless pedals
I know Paul T from that article... super humble. He doesnt race much anymore but stomps it when he does.


2014-01-10 12:37 AM
in reply to: jennifer_runs

User image

Veteran
2297
2000100100252525
Great White North
Subject: RE: Toe Clips vs. Clipless pedals
ATA says no dice so it must be an ITU/Trican rule.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Toe Clips vs. Clipless pedals Rss Feed