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| *Vultures Knob>>>Bike Pedals |
Bike pedals - clipless, clips, platform pedals??? Syntax.? |
OK - I was just reading a question and some answers on here about "clipless" pedals. The answers, though, seemed to talk about being clipped onto the pedal with clipless pedals. What is the origin of the term "clipless" - if when you use "clipless" pedals - you actually get clipped onto the pedal. Shouldn't these be - clip pedals - or clipful pedals - not clipless pedals??? Just curious - seems like an odd term. I know what your thinking! But if you know the history it makes sense (sort of). Back in the olden days (pre 90's) what was used by racers and performance riders alike were TOE CLIPS and straps. (the clip went over your toe and you tightened straps around your foot to hold your foot on the pedals) They are still around but not used much as they were replaced by a new system: CLIPLESS pedals. These have a cleat and small engagement device (or clip to confuse us). The pedals attach securely to the cleat on the BOTTOM of the shoe. Very secure, more comfortable and safer as you can break out of them where you couldn't with clips and straps. Since the original was a toe CLIP, the new system lacked that CLIP hence the CLIPLESS term was born. Wow, I guess it doesn't make any sense after all! EDIT: I just beat the other old farts to the answer. What they said I totally agree with too. Go babyboomers! To add to the confusion and to MR's answer, we have always used cleats even with toe clips. Those were real dangerous when you had to get out in a hurry! Was riding while pals went to Woodstock. Yep, what they said. I hated those old death-cleats! Clipless pedals are probably the single most revolutionary thing to happen to cycling in 100 years.....maybe indexed shifting and now STI. But the pedals were a genious idea borrowed from skiing. I wonder how many people these days even know what a toe strap button is? :o) For a little while I heard people calling clipless pedals "click-in pedals" which seems a little more descriptive. I ride cage/platform pedals with toe clips. No one ever calls these clip pedals or clippable pedals. Someone needs to rename the whole @#$% thing. Speedplay's website has a bunch of historical pedal stuff. Someone may correct me but I believe I read that clipless pedals are called this because they don't have a toe-clip - the old basket-like thing that attached to a platform pedal to hold your foot onto it. When technology advanced and allowed for your foot to be attached to the pedal without the big ol' clip on the front they were called clipless. |
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