Cycling Shoes & Clipless Pedals

I think that it depends on what type of pedals you have if you can ride with regular shoes. I rode a whole triathlon leg with my running shoes with the clipless pedals turned. It was a borrowed bike and I ride platforms- and always will!

Don't feel bad about falling with clipless, even experienced riders fall. I've been riding with clipless for 8 yrs. and last year I stopped at a sag stop, totally forgot to unclip and fell. Fortunately, no one knew me and I fell in the grass so I wasn't hurt.

I always unclip from the left, and I anticipate the need to unclip. If I'm not sure about a situation I just unclip my left foot.

And yes, I use cleat covers. A few years ago on a club ride we were routed through a section of a paved trail that was being worked on. It would have been ok for road bikes but it rained early in the morning. That section was all mud. We couldn't ride and had to walk thru mud (about 3 miles). I use speedplays I couldn't get the mud out of my cleats and had a terrible time finishing the ride because I couldn't click in. If you have to walk for any distance or happen to go inside a building they really help to keep you from slipping and sliding. They also help to protect the cleats. I keep them in my bike bag and pop them on when I need them.

If you have a predictable route that you know with stop signs and no traffic practice there. When you're rolling up to the stop sign just click out. You'll learn to anticipate when to click out and it will soon become second nature.

Speedplay recommends a dry lubricant, something like White Lightening. I use Pedro's Ice Wax. You want something that repels water, does not attract dirt and is non-greasy. Don't use WB 40.

Have fun!

Thanks, Kathi! :)

A couple of things...
I believe Irulan "meant" (and I didn't see the post) for you to use
a Teflon based produced--NOT OIL...we've talked about the fact that oil is a no-no for most road/mountain bikes. Spin bikes, yeah, 3-in-one is used...

"Teflon-Plus" is common and cost about $3.00 in most cycle shops, and, just a drop on the pedal where you clip in. Then work it around.

Another think I've taught myself on clipping in/out is to practice on a parking lot clipping BOTH feet out simultaneously (yes!)
...just practice.

Relying on one foot all the time may be iffy in the long run; out of habit, I usually clip-out consistantly with one foot over the other on an anticipated stop. (and quite honestly I can't tell you which foot). I always clip in on my right and catch the left as I crank.
Terry

Yet another reason why it's good to practice unclipping both feet... a tale from the file of stupid things I have done:

A few years ago on my short but hilly lunch time ride I started hearing a "clanking" noise while pedaling. I couldn't visibly see anything wrong and nothing felt loose so I decided to keep on riding. About 5 minutes later my left crank came off entirely, but was still happily attached to my foot. It took a few panicked moments before I could get enough leverage on the right side to unclip and stop (with a pedal and crank dangling from one foot). And alone and without tools, I had a 3-mile walk back to the car.

So easy unclipping, good. Unclipping on either side, good. Not taking better care of bike, bad.

I just went by my LBS and asked them to take off the Look pedals. He said he didn't want me to give up & switched them out for speedplay pedals & cleats, so I'm getting ready to head out & give them a try. :D

Let us know how you get on Hibiscus. I'm a total Speedplay convert ( even though they cost and arm & a leg) , after I didn't get on with Looks. I'd love to hear how you find them. :)

Okay, I will. I don't know what the price difference was. He just switched them out with no charge. I was happy since I'd already been using the Looks. I'm heading out now. :)

MightyMitre -- that was like night and day!! I liked the Speedplays much, much better. No trouble at all getting out. It was nice to ride without being afraid. LOL Yippee!

Good luck with them!! I absolutely LOVE mine!!! I hope they help!!

Thanks grasshopper! :)

Excellent!!! That's exactly how I felt. No more fear of what happens when you have to stop!

Glad you like them. How did you find getting into them as the pedals are a lot smaller? I put a strip of tape on the toe of each shoe at about level with the pedal axel to start with as I found it a bit tricky to clip in the first few times. However, absolutly no problems exiting , no more panic about stopping & much more confident riding!:) :) :)

Actually, I was tickled the first few times I tried to clip in the left foot. It was like my problems had gone from not being able to clip out to not be able to clip in -- however, after several tries, I think I have the hang of it. It is a little trickier, but I'd rather have that problem than not be able to get out. :D

That's so cool - that's exactly the same as I thought when i got mine!
Happy riding:p

LOL -- one of the neighbors asked if I was just learning to ride a bike. She must have seen me fall with those Look pedals. :D

Happy riding to you too!