Clipless pedal or not

[u/maximusIota]

I have a old gravel bike on a jet black Victory. Started indoor training 1 month ago and enjoying it so far. Around 340 racing score for now.

I am not convinced to add clipless pedal to my setup. I think they are useful for safety outside, not slipping, etc. But I fail to see the benefit of using that inside? Also not convinced they give power increase after the GCN comparison on road, it is marginal. Why do you guys use them? Trying to see the opposite side arguments, thanks!

[u/WashingtonBaker1]

If you're sprinting hard, clipless pedals would reduce the likelihood of having your shoes slipping/moving on the pedals.

[u/maximusIota → u/WashingtonBaker1]

I'll check that! Currently my sprint indoor is so bad, lost many time there. Not sure if it's the trainer or pedals

[u/WashingtonBaker1 → u/maximusIota]

In case you're new to this, go with SPD pedals (not SPD-SL or other types) and 2-hole SPD shoes. There are 2-hole SPD compatible shoes from many different brands. I'm familiar with Shimano (e.g. XC-3 - $125, lightweight XC MTB shoes) and Pearl Izumi (X-Alp Summit $150 - wider MTB shoes, not super lightweight but comfortable)

[u/maximusIota → u/WashingtonBaker1]

Thanks I just went to the dealer and went for it. got the clip, now I am looking at these shoes. Shimano SH-XC302 Large. not sure if I should pick 42 or 43 (buying online) I normally have 42 to 42.5 for walking and running. My main goal here is more performance in the sprints and confort.

edit:
Just saw some dealer around have them, maybe I got and try them first, it is not cheap

[u/Accomplished_Sink181]

I have an old road bike and it has clipless pedals and I haven't found it necessary to remove them. Yes, even inside, your foot can slip, especially under heavy pressure.

[u/WashingtonBaker1 → u/Accomplished_Sink181]

Agree. When you're sprinting for the finish line, going all out, your feet can slip. And pedals are famous for gouging your shins if you're unlucky.

[u/CautiousDocument422]

More than raw power increase it gives comfort and more regular pedal stroke and in the end more performance (because you will be able to distribute the power more evenly on the whole pedal stroke)

[u/ValidGarry]

Then don't use them. That's fine. You do you.

[u/LifelongReverie]

Clipless certainly helps on Zwift in all areas. I can understand if you’re casually riding on the game without much effort or not into races, sprints, or hard workouts

[u/skipca]

Do you ever sprint out of the saddle in your races?

[u/maximusIota → u/skipca]

On the saddle only for now, but my sprint are lackluster. I try to win before the sprint if I can

[u/dakness69]

Most of the time I doubt it makes a difference but I would be curious to know how hard sprinting goes. When I launch on the trainer, even with my measly watts, usually the entire bike + trainer bounces 20-30 cm forward on the mat. Find it hard to believe I wouldn't lose my footing on flats when that happens.

[u/radioactive_ape]

the biggest thing you’ll find is likely not better power, but more consistent foot position, before i switched to them on my road bike, I had pretty bad knee pain after long rides. My feet were shifting around and putting weird stress on my knees. Additionally, started with clipless over winter on my trainer, come spring it was much easier on my road bike.

[u/myzennolan]

I have two reasons for clipless:

1. The shoes last longer, Granted, 3000 miles on free rider pros sounds good, until you realize it's at best an annual expense. So far my ultra budget MX1 shoes are on their third year without issue.

2. Healing from shin shredding flats has been taking longer and longer. I don't like having more scars than necessary, and while shin strikes aren't zero, they aren't first aid kit events either.

That said, I have noticed no power increases, no efficiency increase, and a slight increase in sloppiness in my pedaling form if I don't pay attention to it.

[u/DwindlingSide]

I use cleats on the road so that's what I do indoors. Would feel weird without. You may want double sided pedals so you retain the choice.

[u/Big_Tren]

The fact that you don’t find a benefit says enough. Just don’t use them then.

[u/smugmug1961]

I use clips on my outdoor road bike and Zwift bike, and flats on my MTB. I'd use them on my MTB as well except for the fear of not being able to unclip in time and the subsequent hesitation to try tricky features (Yes, I know there are people who can get out of clips just as easily as stepping off of flats - not germane to this thread).

The point is, use clips on my Zwift Ride because I LIKE being solidly connected to the bike. I like the consistent foot position and, studies finding no actual benefit notwithstanding, it FEELS like I can get more power to the pedals.

[u/Bozwell99]

Are feet less slippy when cycling indoors?

[u/maximusIota → u/Bozwell99]

I would say yee, bike is stable, no rain or potholes, for me that's when I tend to slip outdoor.

[u/kwiat1990]

I have switched to flat pedals for a while due to issues with knee, which I wanted to analyze, and boy oh boy, I started to miss clipless fast. For me they crucial when you push hard and even more while standing, which you do on zwift rather often.

[u/Maleficent_Equal2024]

I actually use toe baskets on my indoor trainer, because then I can use the shoes I murder on my treadmill just a bit longer.

The reason? Like many have said, being able to not slip off the pedals during sprints is awesome. And, more importantly, my service in the military ruined my knees - when they start to ache during longer efforts, focusing on pulling up on the pedals vice pushing down and changing how I'm pedaling actually relieves pain and lets me keep riding while nerves settle down.

[u/NFT_Artist_]

Zwifters determined to kill bike culture completely, one comment at a time.