Two weeks of five-day-a-week commuting are in the books. I want to take some pictures of my ride in, since it's really pretty nice and this is a beautiful time of year, but I have one thought that's killing me.
I bought pedals that are your basic SPDs with a plastic platform around them. My thought was that this would be good for short distance, around-town rides (use the platforms) as well as longer, more awesome rides (clip in like god intended). This is the first time I've actually tried to just use the platforms. Verdict: sucky. I haven't not clipped in for, like, seven years or something, and I hate it. Maybe I'll get used to it, but right now, I'm not thrilled. I feel like I've got slightly-lower-quality clipless pedals that develop squeaks from the platform part, and no real gain for it.
But everyone else in this town is in full-blown dandy mode, street clothes and shoes, not a clipless pedal in sight. Maybe I can adapt, but I'd sort of rather drag this bit of western US bike culture along with me.
My Fun New Hobby
1 month ago
I'm with you man. I use clipless pedals even in ice and snow. I like the kind with spd one side, platform the other (all metal) on my winter bike. When things are bad enough that I can hardly move through the snow and I may need a foot down at any given moment, I use the platforms, but if I can get rolling for real, clipped in, for sure.
ReplyDeleteThat Dandy thing doesn't do for me either. I like going fast, and going fast means I'll sweat. No tweed for me, thanks!
I stuck with clipless through the snow and ice we had here, and it only bit me once. I would have needed golf spikes to avoid hitting the deck when I put my foot down that day though...
ReplyDeleteI still insist on bike-specific gear, appearances be damned.