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From: fish@ihu1g.UUCP (Bob Fishell)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Need Toe Trap Data
Message-ID: <344@ihu1g.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 14-May-84 16:59:01 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihu1g.344
Posted: Mon May 14 16:59:01 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 16-May-84 03:16:18 EDT
References: ihu1g.300 <214@varian.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 28

(oo)
I don't recall "flippantly" dismissing cleats in my article, it's just
that I don't think they're for everybody.  They certainly aren't for
a beginner who's likely to panic the first time s/he tries to put feet
down at a red light.  I have a friend who races quite a bit, and he
doesn't recommend cleats for city riding because of the occasional
panic stops you have to make.  He does use them to race, though. 

I think the decision to use cleats should depend on the area you ride
in.  Out in the country where panic stops are less likely, it's probably
OK, but how can you use them effectively in a congested urban area where
you have to stop every couple of blocks?  You're either going to ride
with loose straps, which takes away some of the benefit, or sooner or
later you're going to go down.  You can always loosen the straps for 
an anticipated stop, but not all stops are anticipated.  And if you've
ever had your rear wheel go wild on you in some loose gravel or oil,
you know how important it is to be able to get a foot down to catch
yourself.  You pays your money and you takes your choice.

I've been toying with the idea of getting cleats for long excursions in
the farm country west of here, but I don't think I'd want to use them in
the city, where I do most of my riding.  I know they deliver an efficiency
benefit, but I feel better knowing I can uncouple myself from the bike on
reflex.
-- 

                               Bob Fishell
                               ihnp4!ihu1g!fish