How much better at Clipless pedals compared to Toe clips?

Question

When you went from toe clips with sneakers to clipless pedals with stiff shoes how big was the difference? Having in mind that I never tightened the clips so much that in order to get off I have to loosen them up-like the pros did it in the old days. If you also give an answer in % you increase your chance of Best answer 10 pts. I'm talking about power transfer only. No getting in and out part..

Answer 1

I would say about 30% better. The stiffness of the shoe makes a big difference. I used toe clips for a long time and I could feel the sole of my shoe compressing when I pedaled which wasted a lot of energy. You also have a better connection on the back stroke and pulling up un the pedals. I would compare going to clipless pedal about the same as going from regular platform pedal to toe clips.

Answer 2

Both clips and clipless help to keep your feet in their most desirable and efficient position.



As to the conceived "inefficiency" of clips/straps, that largely depends on the type of shoe you wear. A soft soled sneaker that flexes horribly or causes pain in the ball of the foot is far less efficient than the older, stiff-soled cycling shoes that mated with clips/straps.



The other influential factor is your pedaling technique. Just because you're not using platforms doesn't mean you're cycling efficiently.



Given the above, I'd say an experienced cyclist with good spinning technique would experience NO more than a 10% increase in efficiency (increased power) when moving from clips/straps to clipless.



Everything from light carbon frames & oversized bottom bracket shells to ceramic bearings, latex tubes & computer-assisted bike fit has played a role in making today's road bikes more efficient. But the value of each factor is relatively small when you consider that the times posted by Hinault, Lemond and other riders of that era weren't substantially different than the times posted today. Suggesting that a clipless pedal alone could achieve upwards of 20, 30 or 50% increased efficiency is not only giving too much credit to a system of shoe attachment, it's also noting overall increases that just don't exist in the real world.

Answer 3

You should talk about the getting out part.



I was hit by a car when I had toe clips and the old school shoes others have talked about. The ones with the stiff leather soles with the mounted cleats for platform pedals. I couldn't get out of the clips. I laid in the street with other traffic around and one of my fellow cyclists trying to help me.



I now use SPD SL and just a slight kick out and my foot is off the pedal.



The new shoes are much much stiffer than the old leather soled shoes. My current shoes have carbon fiber composite soles. No comparison. I think Bob is a bit light on percentage, but I really won't argue as it is something that isn't measured with calculated results.



I still have my old school shoes hanging on the wall to remind me of what it was like back in the 70's.

Answer 4

My guess is that you increase your efficiency by 50%.



Clipless pedals allow you to apply power in a full circle instead of the limited range of motion with the use of toe clips. Cycling shoes transfer more of your power to the pedals than tennis shoes ~ which flex and absorb some of your power. Stiffer shoes also reduce rider fatigue.

Answer 5

I resisted clipless pedals for many years. When I bought a new bike several years ago, I got spd pedals and shoes. I would say the new bike and pedals increased my speed 2 to 3 mph. If you have not been tightening the clips, you might even get more than that.

Answer 6

You hit the nail on the head. You have to cinch straps down tight AND wear special cleats (which I haven't seen in years) to get the same efficiency as clip-ins. Cinched tight with cleats there is little difference in power transfer (some, but only a little) but you have to plan to get out (not fun in panic stops) so you can reach down and snap open the straps. They can also cut off your circulation and give you numb toes if you hit it too tight.



There is no accurate way to measure the difference because there is no way to tell how much slop you're using with straps. The point is there is NO slop and NO discomfort in clip-ins. If you leave enough slop to get in and out of the straps without loosening, you're going to have to overcome the slop and combat slipping by ankling hard AND lifting your toes. With all that you get very little power on the lift stroke.



Bare feet means only power on the downstroke. Loose straps mean a less than optimal pull on the upstroke, maybe only half, but clip-ins loose nothing on the upstroke. Whatever the difference, clip-ins are clearly better.