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Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals?
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| General Discussion | Triathlon Talk » Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? | Rss Feed  |
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 2010-05-21 10:20 AM |
Master  1367    Dirt Road |  Subject: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals?I have a cheap road bike and and have only been riding for two weeks. I am very frustrated when I see race results with 20+mph average speeds. I know I need to ride much - much more, but I was just looking for a little encouragement. |
| 2010-05-21 10:22 AM in reply to: #2873648 |
Champion 5874  Milton, GA | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? |
| 2010-05-21 10:22 AM in reply to: #2873648 |
| Veteran 662 Madison, Alabama | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? What's your average speed now? I don't know of a quantifiable number, but I wouldn't think that clip-on's would add much speed. I would bet that you need to work on the engine, not the bike. Just my guess. Kevin |
| 2010-05-21 10:27 AM in reply to: #2873664 |
Master 1367 Dirt Road | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? Kevin_MS - 2010-05-21 10:22 AM What's your average speed now? I don't know of a quantifiable number, but I wouldn't think that clip-on's would add much speed. I would bet that you need to work on the engine, not the bike. Just my guess. Kevin I know my engine needs much work. I just cannot believe I will ever get there. I am 46 and have never biked before and my best average speed for 8 miles is 17.25mph. It just seems along way away. |
| 2010-05-21 10:28 AM in reply to: #2873648 |
| Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? You're not going to see a hell of a lot of speed gain. You will see that you're using more of your leg to pedal and which will leave you less worn out after you get used to it. |
| 2010-05-21 10:28 AM in reply to: #2873648 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290 The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? Too many variables to give you a single number, but I can tell you that few (if any) equipment upgrades will increase your cycling efficiency more than clipless pedals. |
| 2010-05-21 10:29 AM in reply to: #2873648 |
Extreme Veteran 612 Chicago-ish | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? I may have increased 1mph when I added clipless pedals to my bike. It didn't do a lot for speed but it did a huge amount for comfort and reducing fatigue. Keep working on the engine but if you can afford the pedals and shoes they're a great investment. |
| 2010-05-21 10:32 AM in reply to: #2873708 |
Champion 5874 Milton, GA | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? thndrcloud - 2010-05-21 11:29 AM I may have increased 1mph when I added clipless pedals to my bike. It didn't do a lot for speed but it did a huge amount for comfort and reducing fatigue. Keep working on the engine but if you can afford the pedals and shoes they're a great investment. How did you calculate that? and over what distance? Edited by LowcountryTRI 2010-05-21 10:32 AM |
| 2010-05-21 10:34 AM in reply to: #2873648 |
Extreme Veteran 417 | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? On a side note, would it be recommended to use regular pedals on a sprint distance tri? I must wear socks when I ride and run and my riding shoes are not tri friendly. |
| 2010-05-21 10:38 AM in reply to: #2873648 |
Expert 1049 Burnaby, BC | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? Almost nothing. I just replaced my bike and haven't put a good set of pedals on the new one yet. I'm not any slower, but I miss my clipless pedals so much. I hate going around tight corners and lifting my foot off the inside pedal for some reason... Or just trying to put my foot on the right spot on the platform, I'm always squirming. |
| 2010-05-21 10:38 AM in reply to: #2873693 |
| Veteran 662 Madison, Alabama | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? Karibu - 2010-05-21 10:27 AM Kevin_MS - 2010-05-21 10:22 AM What's your average speed now? I don't know of a quantifiable number, but I wouldn't think that clip-on's would add much speed. I would bet that you need to work on the engine, not the bike. Just my guess. Kevin I know my engine needs much work. I just cannot believe I will ever get there. I am 46 and have never biked before and my best average speed for 8 miles is 17.25mph. It just seems along way away. 17.25 for 8 miles isn't bad, but can you hold that 17.25 for 56 miles (HIM Distance). I guess what I am asking is how long could you hold that average? Really the best way to get better is to ride more. I know everyone says that, but it's the truth. I've only put in about 800 miles since January, and I have a HIM in 2 weeks, and I am stressed about it. I can average ~ 20mph for that distance. If I'm doing a sprint or Oly, then I can up the mph a bit, but not much. To echo the bear, the clipless pedals won't gain you much speed, but will gain you efficiency in your pedal stroke which will in turn (in time) gain you more speed...you'll learn how to pedal more efficiently which will help you learn how to pedal in the proper gear, which ultimately leads to more speed. But, the big takeaway here is to bike more! Kevin |
| 2010-05-21 10:39 AM in reply to: #2873728 |
Elite 3090 Spokane, WA | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? krisko - 2010-05-21 10:34 AM On a side note, would it be recommended to use regular pedals on a sprint distance tri? I must wear socks when I ride and run and my riding shoes are not tri friendly. I wear my platforms/cages with my running shoes in sprints. It seems any speed gains with the clipless would be negated by the shoe change. Quick T2!! |
| 2010-05-21 10:42 AM in reply to: #2873728 |
| Veteran 662 Madison, Alabama | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? krisko - 2010-05-21 10:34 AM On a side note, would it be recommended to use regular pedals on a sprint distance tri? I must wear socks when I ride and run and my riding shoes are not tri friendly. On a side note answer...why "must" you wear socks on the run/ride for a sprint? I think if you practice without them, you should be fine. Either way, I don't see why you think you need platform pedals? Just slip on your riding shoes and run to the mount line and away you go...if you can't/won't run in your riding shoes, take them to the mount line and go past the timing mat and get off to the side of the road, slip them on, and away you go. Don't take this the wrong way, but it obviously seems like you aren't trying to win anything, so what's a little extra time in T1? Kevin |
| 2010-05-21 10:48 AM in reply to: #2873749 |
Master 1367 Dirt Road | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? Kevin_MS - 2010-05-21 10:38 AM Karibu - 2010-05-21 10:27 AM 17.25 for 8 miles isn't bad, but can you hold that 17.25 for 56 miles (HIM Distance). I guess what I am asking is how long could you hold that average? Really the best way to get better is to ride more. I know everyone says that, but it's the truth. I've only put in about 800 miles since January, and I have a HIM in 2 weeks, and I am stressed about it. I can average ~ 20mph for that distance. If I'm doing a sprint or Oly, then I can up the mph a bit, but not much. To echo the bear, the clipless pedals won't gain you much speed, but will gain you efficiency in your pedal stroke which will in turn (in time) gain you more speed...you'll learn how to pedal more efficiently which will help you learn how to pedal in the proper gear, which ultimately leads to more speed. But, the big takeaway here is to bike more! KevinKevin_MS - 2010-05-21 10:22 AM What's your average speed now? I don't know of a quantifiable number, but I wouldn't think that clip-on's would add much speed. I would bet that you need to work on the engine, not the bike. Just my guess. Kevin I know my engine needs much work. I just cannot believe I will ever get there. I am 46 and have never biked before and my best average speed for 8 miles is 17.25mph. It just seems along way away. That was pretty much all I had. I could not have lasted at that speed much further. |
| 2010-05-21 10:50 AM in reply to: #2873750 |
Master 1367 Dirt Road | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? zed707 - 2010-05-21 10:39 AM krisko - 2010-05-21 10:34 AM On a side note, would it be recommended to use regular pedals on a sprint distance tri? I must wear socks when I ride and run and my riding shoes are not tri friendly. I wear my platforms/cages with my running shoes in sprints. It seems any speed gains with the clipless would be negated by the shoe change. Quick T2!! Do a lot of people change back and forth cages/clip ons? What do you train with? |
| 2010-05-21 11:13 AM in reply to: #2873792 |
Elite 3090 Spokane, WA | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? Karibu - 2010-05-21 10:50 AM zed707 - 2010-05-21 10:39 AM krisko - 2010-05-21 10:34 AM On a side note, would it be recommended to use regular pedals on a sprint distance tri? I must wear socks when I ride and run and my riding shoes are not tri friendly. I wear my platforms/cages with my running shoes in sprints. It seems any speed gains with the clipless would be negated by the shoe change. Quick T2!! Do a lot of people change back and forth cages/clip ons? What do you train with? Yep, I switch them out frequently--many do. I don't have shoe covers, so when it's cold I wear running shoes with warm socks with the platforms/cages. When I'm running errands on the bike, I like not having the bike shoes on. I train in both setups. It's super easy to change out pedals, just remember to keep the threads greased. Oh, and since you mentioned you're new to this, it's a 15 mm wrench and the left pedal is reverse thread. Edited by zed707 2010-05-21 11:16 AM |
| 2010-05-21 11:25 AM in reply to: #2873750 |
Elite 2768 Raleigh | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? zed707 - 2010-05-21 10:39 AM krisko - 2010-05-21 10:34 AM On a side note, would it be recommended to use regular pedals on a sprint distance tri? I must wear socks when I ride and run and my riding shoes are not tri friendly. I wear my platforms/cages with my running shoes in sprints. It seems any speed gains with the clipless would be negated by the shoe change. Quick T2!!
To each his own but my question is... How long are taking in T2? if you are taking longer than say 45 seconds then there are something you can do to reduce that time and make it more effecient (i.e. quick laces).
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| 2010-05-21 11:26 AM in reply to: #2873854 |
Champion 5874 Milton, GA | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? zed707 - 2010-05-21 12:13 PM Karibu - 2010-05-21 10:50 AM zed707 - 2010-05-21 10:39 AM krisko - 2010-05-21 10:34 AM On a side note, would it be recommended to use regular pedals on a sprint distance tri? I must wear socks when I ride and run and my riding shoes are not tri friendly. I wear my platforms/cages with my running shoes in sprints. It seems any speed gains with the clipless would be negated by the shoe change. Quick T2!! Do a lot of people change back and forth cages/clip ons? What do you train with? Yep, I switch them out frequently--many do. I don't have shoe covers, so when it's cold I wear running shoes with warm socks with the platforms/cages. When I'm running errands on the bike, I like not having the bike shoes on. I train in both setups. It's super easy to change out pedals, just remember to keep the threads greased. Oh, and since you mentioned you're new to this, it's a 15 mm wrench and the left pedal is reverse thread. Why not just use double sided pedals (platform one side/clipless other) if you switch so much? |
| 2010-05-21 11:30 AM in reply to: #2873899 |
Elite 3090 Spokane, WA | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? LowcountryTRI - 2010-05-21 11:26 AM zed707 - 2010-05-21 12:13 PM Karibu - 2010-05-21 10:50 AM zed707 - 2010-05-21 10:39 AM krisko - 2010-05-21 10:34 AM On a side note, would it be recommended to use regular pedals on a sprint distance tri? I must wear socks when I ride and run and my riding shoes are not tri friendly. I wear my platforms/cages with my running shoes in sprints. It seems any speed gains with the clipless would be negated by the shoe change. Quick T2!! Do a lot of people change back and forth cages/clip ons? What do you train with? Yep, I switch them out frequently--many do. I don't have shoe covers, so when it's cold I wear running shoes with warm socks with the platforms/cages. When I'm running errands on the bike, I like not having the bike shoes on. I train in both setups. It's super easy to change out pedals, just remember to keep the threads greased. Oh, and since you mentioned you're new to this, it's a 15 mm wrench and the left pedal is reverse thread. Why not just use double sided pedals (platform one side/clipless other) if you switch so much? Haven't seen them that will work with Look-style cleats. |
| 2010-05-21 11:55 AM in reply to: #2873648 |
Veteran 109 Thousand Oaks, CA | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? Karibu - 2010-05-21 8:20 AM I have a cheap road bike and and have only been riding for two weeks. I am very frustrated when I see race results with 20+mph average speeds. I know I need to ride much - much more, but I was just looking for a little encouragement. I think you are overworrying about this. 17.5 mph over 8 miles on a cheap road bike after two weeks of riding is GREAT! I would be challenged to hit this mark, even on my new expensive roadie with clipless pedals (granted... I live in a hilly area). If anything, you need to SLOW DOWN and RIDE MORE to build your engine so you can go longer. Don't worry about your equipment -- you will know when you really need it. And when those folks on their fancy road/tri bikes wearing matching spandex zoom past you like you are standing still, just think that one day... ONE DAY... you will zoom past them. And if you are really lucky (like I was once) you will zoom past them on an uphill climb on your cheap roadie wearing unmatched sales rack bike clothes. Be patient. Make sure it stays fun. |
| 2010-05-21 12:00 PM in reply to: #2873720 |
Extreme Veteran 612 Chicago-ish | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? LowcountryTRI - 2010-05-21 10:32 AM thndrcloud - 2010-05-21 11:29 AM I may have increased 1mph when I added clipless pedals to my bike. It didn't do a lot for speed but it did a huge amount for comfort and reducing fatigue. Keep working on the engine but if you can afford the pedals and shoes they're a great investment. How did you calculate that? and over what distance? Last year I was training for my first sprint and was riding 10-15 miles when I trained. Before I switched pedals I was averaging about 12mph and after I was hitting a little above 13mph. I was still riding the same routes on the same bike (a hybrid) so the only thing that accounts for the difference is the pedals. Likely it's just that I was more efficient so was able to hold the higher speed for the entire ride instead of it falling off at the end as I got more tired. I didn't have a bike computer then so I can't be sure that's what was happening though. |
| 2010-05-21 1:32 PM in reply to: #2873648 |
Veteran 812 | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? I don't think that there is an easy answer here to come up with a specific number. But using clipless pedals allows you to pedal throughout the stroke. In addition to pushing down, you're also pulling up. Rather than any direct speed gains, the gains will be indirect as using a larger mix of muscles in your leg will allow you to push harder for longer. You might actually see a temporary slow down as you learn the skills of pedaling in a smooth circle. But in the long run, it's going to make you quite a bit faster. IMHO, it's one of the most important improvements you can make to a bike. If you're hoping to move up to the 20+ mph range, then just do it. |
| 2010-05-21 1:33 PM in reply to: #2873648 |
Veteran 197 | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? If maybe not gaining much speed on the bike by switching to clipless pedals, how about gaining speed on the run because your legs are less exhausted? Is that a possibility, or just wishful thinking? (I just recently switched to clipless (last night) - I wonder if this might somehow help with my post-bike run, which is always pathetic.) |
| 2010-05-21 2:10 PM in reply to: #2873854 |
Master 1367 Dirt Road | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? zed707 - 2010-05-21 11:13 AM Karibu - 2010-05-21 10:50 AM zed707 - 2010-05-21 10:39 AM krisko - 2010-05-21 10:34 AM On a side note, would it be recommended to use regular pedals on a sprint distance tri? I must wear socks when I ride and run and my riding shoes are not tri friendly. I wear my platforms/cages with my running shoes in sprints. It seems any speed gains with the clipless would be negated by the shoe change. Quick T2!! Do a lot of people change back and forth cages/clip ons? What do you train with? Yep, I switch them out frequently--many do. I don't have shoe covers, so when it's cold I wear running shoes with warm socks with the platforms/cages. When I'm running errands on the bike, I like not having the bike shoes on. I train in both setups. It's super easy to change out pedals, just remember to keep the threads greased. Oh, and since you mentioned you're new to this, it's a 15 mm wrench and the left pedal is reverse thread. Thanks- |
| 2010-05-21 2:12 PM in reply to: #2873648 |
Master 1681 Rural Ontario | Subject: RE: Approximately how much speed is added with clip on pedals? build a base first - ride miles & miles and you'll see a big improvement. 200-500 miles later you'll be faster. Then think about clipless pedals... |
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