Cleat Feet "which allows racers to use efficient clipless pedals with conventional shoes." - I don't really get it...
I always thought the efficiency of a clipless pedal set-up in transfering the cyclist's power was down to two things:
- the stiffened sole of a specialised cycling shoe to provide a solid platform, and
- the direct connection to the pedal that allows power transfer to continue through the pull-up phase as well as the push down.
Surely wearing some form of running shoe negates the first of those, and an attachment system similar to micro-crampons can't do all that much for the second - there must be some stretch or give, so are they really going to be any better than a traditional flat pedal and toe-clip system?
I can see more point for the recreational cyclist perhaps, the tourer or mtb'er who want's to ditch the cleats when they get off the bike, or for someone who usually uses cleated footwear and pedals but occasionally needs to ride in standard shoes. But overall I'd have thought flat pedals and toeclips/straps were just as good a solution - perhaps it's just that they don't look 'serious' or cool enough?
Posted: 20/04/2012 at 14:29
