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| *Vultures Knob>>>Bike Pedals |
What are the risks using clipless pedals on a racing bicycle? |
What are the risks using clipless pedals on a racing bicycle? Overall, using clipless pedals are much safer than the older toe clip pedals (does anyone even remember riding with them?). With toe clips, you always had the danger that if you tightened the straps (to keep your feet in the pedals), you couldn't loosen them in time to to get out. Or worse yet, your feet would be trapped in the pedals during a crash. As far as the risks associated with using clipless pedals, I can think of two: First, you might forget that your feet are engaged in the pedal and you may forget to "click" out (thereby falling over). You'll just have a practice riding with your clipless pedals to get comfortable with them. Also, if you are new to clipless pedals, you might consider loosening the tension to make it easier to get in and out. Which brings me to risk two... A much more insidious risk is that you could accidentally clip out of the pedal during a sprint or a hard effort. I've seen this happen before at races and even in group rides and it's pretty scary since the rider is typically going all out at the moment his feet disengages. Heck, Thor Hurshovd may have lost the stage 3 sprint in this year's TdF paritially due to his right foot coming out. To avoid accidental clip-out, you want to make sure that the tension release is set so that you can only clip-out if you make an effort to do so. Put another way, it's ok to loosen the tension to get used to riding with clipless pedals, but by all means, put the tension back once you get used to the pedals. scars on the shins,, ooowwwccchhhhhhhh !!! with clip you can pull up and push down on the pedal so you go faster No risk.... The toe clip is so you can lift the pedal as well as push, for more power. only risk is when you don't unclip in time or forget to clip out! otherwise, they are great! If not set up correctly they can cause knee ligament damage with long-term use, the other hazard is obvious - you are attached to the bike when you crash. you risk dropping all of your cycling friends now that you can use the whole pedal stroke for more power at the same effort level. seriously, i taught my 10 year old how to use clipless pedals. as long as you set up the cleat correctly, and don't set the pedal retention so tight you can't unclip, you should be fine. |
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