Pedals

[Python]

I've never ridden a bike with pedal straps or clips. My new bike will be coming complete with clips. Having been used to just flat pedals, I'm a bit nervous about using clips.

What difference would I expect using clips as opposed to just normal flat pedals?

Any tips and advice would be appreciated.

[roadie gal]

There are advantages both in safety and performance. The new pedals are much safer, once you get used to them, than the cages. Getting out of them is much more reliable. The cages can catch your shoes, preventing you from getting out.

Your performance is improved because you can use the entire pedal stroke rather than just pushing down. Once you learn to pedal throughout the stroke you'll save a lot of wear and tear on your leg muscles.

Don't be afraid of the clipless pedals. The learning curve is pretty short. (Although I dare you to find anyone who hasn't unclipped to one side and leaned to the other at least once.) One way to learn is to find a soft area, like an athletic field and practice clipping and unclipping while going slowly. The other way is to put your bike on a trainer and practice there. It will become natural very quickly.

Good luck and enjoy!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Python, you are getting toe clips (cages) right? Not "clipless"(the ones that snap your shoe in at the sole), correct?

[Python]

As far as I can see on the spec I borrowed from the shop, the bike comes with toe clips. Personally, I'd prefer flat pedals like I've got now.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I too like "regular" flat pedals and regular shoes when riding. But I did find my foot would slip off the pedal fairly frequently, espec. when wet from wet grass, or when going uphill steeply. Very disconcerting. This bothered me enough to get some "PowerGrip" straps which I attached to my regular flat pedals:
http://powergrips.mrpbike.com/pg_benefits.shtml
Be sure to click on all the links there, it will show how they work.
I like them a lot, and they give me more security but I don't feel "trapped" in them either. You do have to practice a bit with turning your heel outwards AS you pull your foot back off the pedal, but it's pretty easy to get used to after a few practice times.

Another option is to ask the bike shop to adjust your new toe clips so that they are set loose and you can just slide your regular shoe in and out without tightening the strap each time. You'll get used to that too easily.

A third option is to have them put the flat pedals on there if you want them.

[Python]

These look an interesting option. It'll be several weeks before I get my new bike and in the meantime, with me using my current bike more and more, my confidence (and handling of the bike) is growing all the time. I'm now able to change gear (old-fashioned friction shift) and hand-signal much easier now - I think I'm getting better LOL:D

It's something I'll discuss with the bike shop before I collect my bike. I have thought on putting straps on my current bike to get used to the feel of it but last time I was in my local Halfords (not where my new bike is coming from), they didn't have any straps as they were sold out.

I don't know if you have a Halfords in the USA but over here they are a large store that sells mostly motoring things but also have a bike section. They tend to be lower end, i.e. they sell the run-of-the-mill cheaper bikes like you buy the kids for Christmas. They have expanded a little and do stock a slightly better range too, but don't stock the upper ranges like Trek or Specialized etc. They have a very limited stock of cycle clothing. I'll be popping into the bike shop where my bike is tomorrow to pay something more towards it and will speak to them about pedals while I'm there.

The shoes I like for cycling have a sole which is just under 1/4 inch thick but they are comfy and grip the pedals really well and don't tend to slip off like some of my other shoes do.

[roadie gal]

OOps, misread your original post. I shouldn't do anything before my second cup of coffee...

[Python]

LOL Roadie Gal. I need at least the same amount of coffee before I start to become remotely human;)

[Maureen Valley]

My relatively new Trek 2.1 came with clipless pedals. Til I got used to all the OTHER features this bike had....I had some auxilliary flat pedals installed on the clipless so I could forget about pedals for awhile and concentrate on shifting and braking. Well....5 months later, I just had regular pedals installed with straps. I found that the clipless just added to my stress factor and having had 'cages' in the past on a mountain bike....I was more comfortable with something similar. I now ride....free from the fear of falling and breaking something and it's improved my speed and overall performance enormously.

What it boils down to....is a personal preference. By all means DO TRY clipless....you might love them. I suspect you'll get a myriad of responses to this thread.

Best:
Maureen
Clip (less) in Florida
:-)