Clipless Pedals for Dummy Cyclists (HSW Week 2)

cycling shoe and clipless pedal

One feature of HowStuffWorks.com that our Antisocial Network staffers have noticed is that articles are broken into chunks a few hundred words long. We figure there are several reasons for this: the pages show up separately in search results and the individual pages generate more ad hits, for instance. We don’t want to our readers to have to wade through four pages of freelance twaddle, though, so we’re fine with handing Brian Boone an award just on the basis of page two of his article, “How Pedaling Technique Works: Clipless Pedaling Techniques.”

Boone may be an accomplished triathlete, but it’s more likely he’s a J-school grad grabbing sports-related topics (surfing, cycling, running, baseball, skydiving… ) at HSW regardless of his experience or lack thereof. In the case of clipless pedals, we’re pretty sure he’s talking through a metaphorical hat. Why? Because of knowledge-deficient statements such as,

“Riders wear lightweight, flexible cycling shoes…” – No, a critical feature of cycling shoes is that they’re not flexible, especially the soles. Flexing  is a no-no because it absorbs some of the pedal-stroke power. “One major advantage of the clipless pedal system is that it allows for float -- the shoes are slightly loose, allowing for side-to-side foot movement…” – No, the cleat is held tightly; float only allows the foot a small amount of rotation as opposed to “side-to-side movement” of the shoes. “These pedals are also lightweight, which helps your bike be more aerodynamic…” – No, they just mean your bike is lighter. If you want to improve aerodynamics, you have to change the shape. “More importantly, because you don't have to press your foot down with your own weight to keep the foot in place on the pedal all the time, energy efficiency increases.” – We have no earthly idea what that means; but we do know that cleats increase the transmission of muscle power to the drivetrain. Maybe that’s what he wanted to say? And if you aren’t using your own weight to “press your foot down,” what are you using?! “Clipless pedals aren't the best idea for mountain biking…it's hard to…walk with metal brackets on the bottoms of your shoes.” – Idiot: mountain bike shoes are designed to allow you to walk, cleats or no cleats.

Nope, it’s pretty obvious that Boone has minimal familiarity with clipless pedals and cleats. Maybe he’s used them once or twice (probably not), but the factual and logical mistakes we’ve outlined suggest that he doesn’t actually understand them.
Who would you rather have teach you about clipless pedals: someone who understands the mechanical processes involved, or a Dumbass of the Day with a journalism degree and a yen to make freelance bucks? We know our choice…

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