CLIPS ARE NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR SKILL
by: Kevin O’Brien
I BET YOU that 3 out-of 5 kids under the age of 14 who
currently ‘clip in’ can’t bunnyhop without being attached to their bike.
Since bunnyhopping is arguably the most necessary basic skill that a BMXer should learn, it is sad to see that clips have become as substitute for real skill. Sure, it’s easy to do when you are attached to your bike via clip pedals, but to be at one with gravity and your bike, learn how to do it without clips.
Interestingly enough, it was a short time ago that BMX kids looked at the Mountain bikers with disgust and a common phrase had quickly evolved “clips are for kooks” but how quickly we have forgotten that it is now the BMXers who are doing the clipping-in. Many 4X, dual slalom, freeride, and downhill Mountain bikers are opting for platforms while more and more BMXer’s are clipping in.
Some will argue that I am anti-clip and they are right - but the reasons behind this are simple. The influence of clips has dramatically altered the persona of the sport to the point where some feel BMX has steered away from it’s traditional roots as an alternative sport and become Elitest. Some may feel that platforms are ‘old school’ and have been replaced by superior technology, but the true essence of BMX is about riding without all the fuss, tight clothing, and technology of road and mountain bike racing. Simplicity at it’s finest.
10 REASONS NOT TO CLIP IN:
1. The shoes look dorky
2. The SIDI ones look especially dorky, kinda like a ski boot.
3. The word clip is for paper holders
4. Being attached to your bike is bad for your health
5. Being attached to your bike while falling can alter the way your knees and ankles associate with you
6. They are awkward and downright scary when attempting ‘trick’ maneuvers on your bike
7. Chicks don’t dig em
8. The extra power you achieve on the straights will eventually be a non-issue when the tracks get tougher
9. Technology doesn’t necessarily mean advancement
10. They are not a replacement for skill
The ‘clip-in’ trend is finally being challenged at National and World levels. Recently France and England banned clips at World Cup events for riders under 16 years of age noting that clips were deemed to be ‘dangerous’.
Clips or no clips, the bottom line is that all riders need to learn skills like the bunnyhop, wheelie, manual, and jumping with platforms before clipping in. If you are clipping in just for the supposed ‘extra power’ on a full pedal stroke, then you are cheating yourself of the real skills that all BMXer’s should have. Platforms first.
Should they be banned for certain ages / Skill levels? You decide.
