Pages: 1 |
| When to get clipless pedals (Read 790 times) |
ggilman |
posted: 7/30/2008 at 5:45 AM |
I recently took up biking to improve fitness. I've really been enjoying it and would eventually like to train up towards longer distances. Currently I ride 5 days a week, up to 20 miles a day and on a training schedule to work towards longer runs. I'm hoping to eventually work up towards a century.
I've been considering investing in clipless pedals but not sure if it's worth the trouble learning the system at this point. Is there some distance or effort level when I should say "it's really time to get new pedals"?
BTW, I'm currently riding a cheap mountain bike on paved roads. The bike isn't "century-worthy" but I figure I have time to worry about that later. |
|
|
| view log |
posted: 7/30/2008 at 10:35 AM |
With clipless pedals and cycling shoes you will loose much less energy through your feet and more importantly be able to pedal in a circular motion.
I would recommend, before doing any big distances to start using either clipless pedals or toe clips so you can get into the habit of doing the full circular motion. If you already use toe clips/straps, I wouldn't worry much about clipless until you upgrade your bike or just before so you don't train on your new bike with clipless pedals. You can get the right pedaling technique with toe clips and as far as efficiency your mountain bike is what would be were you'd be losing the most.
- R |
| veggies on the run |
|
|
markc123 view log |
posted: 7/30/2008 at 11:22 AM |
Once you go clipless you will not look back.
If you know that you enjoy riding I would suggest you just go and grab pedals and shoes ASAP.
I would suggest that you might want to look at the cheaper shimano SPD's - they are simple, robust and double sided. I use them on my road bikes and MTB's and have never really seen the point in going full roadie - I can walk in my shoes and its easier to commute on double sided. |
|
|
| view log |
posted: 7/30/2008 at 1:33 PM |
Just make sure youi practice stopping, unclipping and putting your foot down. I cant count the number of times I tried to just take my foot off and put it down and then fell at a traffic light.
also, you need to practice clipping in because if you miss that, you can fall too. It doesnt hurt but can be embarassing.  |
"80% of success is showing up." ~ Woody Allen
"Go that way... really fast. If something gets in your way... turn." ~ Charles DeMar
God doesn't give you what you want. He gives you what you need, the rest is up to you. |
|
|
| view log jules2 |
posted: 7/30/2008 at 5:05 PM
modified: 7/30/2008 at 5:06 PM |
| see the "1st crash with new bike" link in this forum |
| you can't keep your money for ever its like saving sex for your old age |
|
|
Wild Beast |
posted: 7/31/2008 at 2:54 AM |
| The sooner the better. |
Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.
-K. Vonnegut |
|
|
| view log My clam (shell) picture. |
posted: 7/31/2008 at 5:13 AM
modified: 7/31/2008 at 5:13 AM |
| Quote from xnomanx on 7/31/2008 at 2:54 AM: The sooner the better.
Agreed. I think they're safer/easier getting into/out of, unless you leave the straps SO loose as to be ineffective for pedal power, if you even have strap pedals. I fell/had more trouble with straps than w/ my first set of LOOKS, which was about 22 years ago. |
Boston 2008
DWARP
Marathon Madness Mob |
|
|
| view log Running Dad |
posted: 7/31/2008 at 11:03 AM |
| Quote from xnomanx on 7/31/2008 at 2:54 AM: The sooner the better.
Soooo True.. I switched over after putting about 125 miles on my bike and have not regretted it ever. Crank Brothers make some nice pedals, what I have, like the egg beaters. 4 sided entry, some float and 2 release angles. You can't dial it in but if you really need that much precision then you already know the answer to your question. Pedals are also on of the easiest thing to move over to a new bike. Better to learn to fall on an old one. |
Things to do this year:
Beaufort Road Race 5K 07.19.08 -- 25:40
Twin Bridges 8K 10.04.08 -- 39:53 PR
First Carolina State Bank Half-Marathon 11.22.08
|
|
|
go Care Bear go! |
posted: 8/1/2008 at 4:09 AM |
Agree that soon is good! I had a bit of a learning curve last September when I got mine. I was still not that confident at the beginning of the season this spring, either... but have gotten it pretty well figured out now. Be prepared to fall/tip over a few times when you are getting used to them. Everyone does it and it can be embarrassing, but you'll get the hang of it.
Frankly, I was more pissed off about my new road bike getting scratched when I fell than I was about me getting banged up and scarred! 
To answer your original question... I don't think there is any "right" time that is a general rule. If you are thinking about them, you are probably "ready"!! Good luck! |
|
|
| view log TRIing to beat the heat! |
posted: 8/1/2008 at 12:44 PM |
When I bought my first road bike, I also put on clipless pedals. Had never used them before and decided that if I was going to dive into triathlon that I might as well get it over with and learn how to ride clipless right away as well.
Did I fall over? Yep. Was it as embarrassing as everyone says it is? Yep. Am I glad that I chose to go clipless right away? Absolutely!
Do it now! You won't regret it! |
HR monitor addict
5K PR- 23:58 (November '08)
10K PR- 54:27 (October '08)
Goals for 2009
Sub-22 5K (stand alone)
Sub-26 minute 5K attached to sprint triathlon
Sub-54 minute 10K attached to Olympic triathlon
Sub-51 minute 10K (stand alone)
Complete first 1/2 marathon (Feb 2008) in approx. 2 hours
Gear up training for early 2010 marathon
|
|
|
| view log |
posted: 8/2/2008 at 9:27 PM
modified: 8/2/2008 at 9:36 PM |
| TEST |
Run until the trail runs out
2008 TARGET 150 MONTH
2009 TARGET 40/40 |
|
|
| view log |
posted: 8/4/2008 at 3:12 AM
modified: 8/4/2008 at 3:13 AM |
Simple solution...get the clipless pedals, set the tension low and tape a note on the handlebars with big letters..."UNCLIP"...after a while it will be second nature to pull the brake lever and kick out your heel.
Good luck
Bob
http://bobrunner.blogspot.com
|
Castaic Sprint Triathlon 8/9/08
Disneyland HM 8/31/08 PR 2:13:19
Santa Clarita HM 11/02/08 New PR! 1:59:30
Surf City HM 02/01/09 |
|
|
| view log |
posted: 8/4/2008 at 12:23 PM |
I would agree with all above and say that as soon as possible. It makes a huge difference.
Did I fall when I first got mine - absolutely. Was it embarrasing - yes, especially as I was stopping to let a large bunch of cyclists past me. One of them shouted that I could not call myself a cyclist until I had fallen 3 times. Well I can call myself a cyclist (but prefer to be called a runner). |
|
|
ultramarathon/triathlete |
posted: 8/6/2008 at 3:58 PM |
| Go clipless. Way better for hills and general use of all the energy your legs are putting out. Since you have a cheap bike now, I'd still say get the pedals, you can always have them taken off and put on a new bike should you get a new one. |
|
|
| view log |
posted: 8/7/2008 at 2:08 AM |
| Go for it, yo. Better now than later. |
a vagabond,..highway-beater; a rolling stone, one that does nought but runne here and there.
~Cotgrave, Randle A dictionarie of the French and English tongues, 1611
|
|
|
Pages: 1 |
