Power cleans for old guy

[Northswede]

I’ve never bothered with the powercleans because I was 49 when I started SS some five years ago.
Now I’m tempted to try them.
I need some explosive part in my training and my form in the other lifts feels solid atm. I mean I have the ”body confidence” to try them now.
Stupid? Counterproductive?
If not, what starting weight?
My deadlift is at 450.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Learning to clean is dealt with extensively in the book: Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training | The Aasgaard Company

[Northswede]

Of course, coach. And I’m sure my lazy ass could derive a good starting point from the book.
But I was under the impression it was SS and board consensus that old trainees shouldn’t bother with cleans.
I was more wondering in the lines of personal experience and coaching experience when it comes to picking up the clean after some years of lifting. As an old guy.

[Mark Rippetoe]

My apologies, I seem to have disappointed you by contradicting the perceived "consensus." Let me clarify: unless you are elderly (you are not) or have a physical deficiency that would rule out even trying to clean, you should learn to clean. If you don't want to, that's fine with me. But I think they are useful, and I think that you should at least determine whether they will be useful to you before you puss out of even trying.