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Benefits of Using Clipless Pedals
For every type of bicycle usage such as a mountain bike or a road bike, there is an optimal pedal system. Pedal systems are divided into three umbrella categories, which are: Flat pedals, clip-on pedals, and clipless pedals. Clipless pedals have become increasingly popular in the last ten years, due to a concerted research and development effort on the part of manufacturers, to innovate and improve how bikers ride.
As bikers, we get to take advantage of the new and improved hardware, created by a competitive market demand, and, for those, looking for a concise and consistent way to better their ride, the benefits of using clipless pedals are easily seen.
The Clipless Bicycle Pedal
A clipless bike pedal does, in fact, use a “clip.” If the pedal was called, an “easy-release pedal,” it might make more sense. “Clipless” refers to the design of a clip-on bike pedal, which predates that of the clipless system.
Clipless System Impetus
Before the clipless system for shoes was conceived, the clip-on pedal system was the standard amongst avid bikers and professionals and is still in use today. This pedal system had several downfalls, as did some preliminary innovations on it, which eventually led to the advent of the modern clipless pedal design.
The clip-on system utilizes a “cage” that is attached to the bike pedal and surrounds a rider’s toe or forefoot, either with a tight hard shell or with an adjustable strap. One downfall of this system was seen in off-roading when a rider’s foot rattled and bounced inside the toe cage, reducing effort efficiency.
However, the biggest detriment was seen in an accident, when a rider could not remove their feet and shoes from the pedal strap and, as a result, suffered greater injuries. The early predecessor to the modern clipless pedal was first invented as a lever system. A rider had to physically release a pedal lever by hand, which, in a crash, was nearly impossible to accomplish and earned it a deathly reputation among bikers.
Riders needed a way of connecting their feet firmly to the pedals thus enabling their hamstrings to pull upwards through the pedal stroke as well as a safety feature, allowing a rider to disconnect their feet from the pedal, in an instant. Though it was first conceived in 1895, the clipless pedal did not gain widespread recognition and acceptance until 1985, when Bernard Hinault became the first biker to ever win the Tour de France using a clipless pedal system.
Using a Clipless Bike Pedal
A clipless bike pedal works by implementing a cleat on the ball of the bike shoe’s sole, which locks into a clip located on the bike’s pedals. The clips are adjustable for firmness, but allow the biker’s feet to maneuver freely. To unlock the shoe’s cleat from the pedals bracket clip, a biker only has to swing their heel away from the bike and the spring operated clip unlocks instantaneously.
These are called “clipless” since the releasing mechanism is hands-free. However, if it makes you feel better to call them “locking pedals” or “lock and release pedals” feel free. The point is, clipless pedals connect a rider’s feet securely to the bike’s drive train and unlock them from the pedal on command—in an instant. This is why they are the modern standard for bikers everywhere. Once you switch over to clipless pedals, there is no substitution.
Benefits of Using Clipless Pedals
Just about every single aspect of your ride will be benefited by using clipless pedals. They are perfect for riders who use their bike as a means of heavy transportation, recreation, or any other type of consistent use. All clipless pedals require a specialized shoe and a compatible cleat, which features a hard sole design, eliminating pressure from the cleat on the ball of the rider’s foot.
In less than a day, most first-timers have the locking-in and out action in their muscle memory and can do it smoothly, without having to look down. Specifically, the benefits of using clipless pedals are seen in a biker’s improved safety, more efficient effort expenditure, and greater handling power to provide overall greater comfort when for bikers when riding.
Safety & Control
If you have ever been out biking in a rainstorm with flat pedals, you know how dangerous it can be to have your feet slipping while riding at speed. Clipless pedals connect your feet firmly with the bike, making it virtually impossible for one’s foot to slide off the pedal, causing a catastrophic incident.
With strap-on pedals, one must physically loosen the strap to release their toe, which is not safe or timely in the event of a sudden stop or unforeseen obstacle. Riders do not have this problem with clipless pedal systems, as the action of unlocking one’s foot from the pedal becomes innate and subconscious to the rider.
The clipless design allows riders to keep their hands on the handlebars at all times. By connecting the feet to the pedal and enabling both hands to remain on the bars, clipless pedals exponentially increase a biker’s handling and control of their vehicle.
Efficiency, Power & Acceleration
Clip-on pedal systems became popular because they allowed riders to use their hamstring on the upward pedal stroke, but the toe-cage and strap design was not efficient for directing force through the drive train. The hard sole shoe design of clipless pedals acts to disperse the force evenly across the top of a rider’s foot on the up stroke, which prevents joint damage and tendon strain.
With the classic flat pedal, half of the biker’s potential energy is left dormant, as they are only able to exert a propelling force on the pedals down stroke. By attaching one’s feet to the bike’s pedals, every rotation of the pedals is half as taxing to your body. Since the rider is able to implement strength from more muscle groups, their body is working more efficiently, which results in a nearly exponential increase of acceleration.
Confidence & Consistency
Finally, the improved safety, control, power, and efficiency result in greater confidence in one riding, as well as a greater consistency of usage. For example, if your car is on its last legs and every ride might be its last, you don’t exactly wake up looking forward to driving it. On the other hand, if you have a Tesla in the driveway, you probably look forward to driving it.
When you know that you have outfitted your bike with the right gear including cycling shoes to enable the best ride possible, it becomes a joy and point of pride. The practical and physical benefits of using clipless pedals work to prevent improper body use while riding encourage you to keep up with the consistency of your biking. If you are looking to take your ride to the next level of skill and fun, it is time to experience the benefits of using clipless pedals.
Feel free to leave comments and question and remember—always wear a helmet!
