From: jwgst2+@pitt.edu (James W Gourgoutis)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.tech
Subject: About clipless pedals
Date: 5 Nov 92 17:16:16 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Pittsburgh

With all the talk on the net about clipless pedals and their increased "safety"
in accidents (as opposed to standard clips & straps) recently, I've become 
concerned.  Presently, I have standard clips and straps on both my road
and mountain bikes.  Are clipless pedal systems safer in the event of an 
accident?  I'm getting more and more paranoid with all the talk about road
rash on the net, and I don't want to fall and remain attached to the bike.
	I've never really had a major accident on a bike yet, in the 2 years
that I've been riding, and I keep thinking about the old saying, "You're not a
real sailor until you sink a ship", and how it could apply to cycling.
	I use cleated shoes (Specialized Pro Dogs, 1991 model) on my road bike,
and normal shoes on my MTB (I can't see spending bunches o' cash on shoes just
to get them muddy!).  I like standard pedals, because I am not confined to just
one pair of non-walkable shoes.  That way, I can ride to class, whatever, and 
not have to change shoes.  However, since I got my MTB, I find that I primarily
use that for my short jaunts to class, and use my road bike (an old Peugot 
UO-8) on weekends.  So I am considering the possibility of getting (eventually)
a clipless system for the road bike.  I really like the idea of SPD's, since 
they are walkable.  However, I already have a pair of cycling shoes (the Pro
Dogs) that I like and are comfortable, so I would like to use them.  This 
limits me to some LOOK compatible system, like LOOK, Shimano, Campy, etc.  My
shop had the cheaper Campy pedals on sale for $60 a few months ago, on a close-
out.  That's like half-price!!  I wish that I had jumped at that opportunity.
Shimano 105's seem good, a friend has them and likes them, AND they are
adjustable. The entry-level LOOK pedal is NOT adjustable.
	So basically, do you think that I need/should get clipless pedals,
and if so what kind?  Please keep in mind that I have a cheap bike and a very
low budget. 
	I wish that I had the foresight to realize that this would happen 
someday, and I would have bought SPD's for BOTH bikes, so I wouldv'e been 
able to use the same pair of shoes for both bikes.  That way, I could save 
money on shoes.  Now, if I want clipless pedals on my MTB, I'm going to have
to buy more shoes!!!
	Speaking of shoes, does anyone have any opinions on the Specialized
Dirt Dogs on sale in the nashbar catalog for $29.00?  What kinds of pedals
are they compatible with?  They look almost exactly like my Pro Dogs, except
they are supposed to have a more "walkable" sole. 

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James Gourgoutis       				   
Mechanical Engineering                                O   
University of Pittsburgh                           _ /__,     
e-mail me at:  JWGST2@unixd.cis.pitt.edu          (_) /(_) 
	       or JWGST2@vms.cis.pitt.edu
Thanks!           			   "Why am I so late?  It took me 
					    25 minutes to decide which bike
					    to ride!" 
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