Maiden Voyage with Clipless Pedals

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11-01-2006, 09:30 AM
Bad JuJu

Maiden Voyage with Clipless Pedals

I'm no longer a virgin:eek: I just took my first ride on my Bianchi with clipless pedals, and I didn't fall down even once--which is not to say that I won't, just that I haven't yet. I can't even describe how nice it is not to have to bend down and tighten or loosen those blasted straps every time I start, stop, then start again.

Also, I had a new, shorter stem installed, which improved my reach to the bars enormously and made the ride a lot more comfortable. AND, either I've miscalibrated my new bike computer or I'm a lot faster on the Bianchi than on my touring bike. Woo-hoo!!!

I feel like I've finally grown up, at the tender age of 53 (and 11/12--birthday at the end of this month--yikes!)
11-01-2006, 09:54 AM
DebW

Congrats on the maiden voyage. It's my opinion that those who have dealt with tightening and loosening their toe straps will find clipless so much easier that they will never have clipless issues. Enoy the Bianchi, and adulthood. :D
11-01-2006, 10:52 AM
CyclChyk

Oh its definately the Bianchi and has nothing to do with the wheelset! (At least that's what I told myself to justify the purchase). I am DEFINATELY faster on Cielo than on my Giant.

And good for you for not falling. I won't jinx you by reiterating how I didn't fall until almost 3 weeks into it.:D
11-01-2006, 12:13 PM
Bikingmomof3

Whoo Hooo Bad Juju! CONGRATULATIONS!
11-01-2006, 12:33 PM
bikerchick68

very cool! yep, you can gain speed from going clipless, as you begin to utilize your muscle groups more efficiently... and also that stem change probably helped too! being in a better/more correct position can improve your speed... and a lighter, faster bike definitely helps! :D very cool... I can "hear" your excitement in your post:)
11-01-2006, 12:49 PM
indysteel

Good for you Bad Ju Ju. I'm a huge fan of clipless pedals and an even bigger fan of Bianchis. You go girl!

And don't worry if you fall. Assuming no major injuries (don't use your arm to catch yourself), it's a roadie right-of-passage.

What kind of pedals/shoes do you have?

Kate
11-01-2006, 12:57 PM
Thistle

way to go BadJuJu :D

PS love the piccie of your pup :D :D so cute!
11-01-2006, 01:36 PM
Geonz

Ahhh, how you have matured! (Still clipful here, but I can appreciate it!)

Betting you're calibrated perfectly well, too !!! Just faster!!!
11-01-2006, 05:54 PM
Offthegrid

You did much better than I did -- I ran into a small tree the first time I went clipless. I was trying them in the grass, and looking down and wasn't looking. Whoops! :o
11-02-2006, 05:49 AM
Bad JuJu

I find that my biggest challenge with the clips is to remember they're there. The clipping in and out is easy, but since I can't feel the straps around my feet, I tend to forget I'm clipped in.

But what really drives me crazy is the terminology. I have to clip in and clip out of my clipless pedals. That's just so wrong.;)
11-02-2006, 06:37 AM
KnottedYet

Yay Bad Juju!

Well, you could just change the words a little: "clicking in and out of your cleated pedals" or something like that.:D
11-02-2006, 07:29 AM
DebW

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad JuJu

But what really drives me crazy is the terminology. I have to clip in and clip out of my clipless pedals. That's just so wrong.;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnottedYet

Well, you could just change the words a little: "clicking in and out of your cleated pedals" or something like that.:D

"click in" or "lock in" or "step in" works. The opposite motion is harder to name. "click out", "unclick", "lock out" (that doesn't work at all), "unlock", "twist out"? "Clipless pedals" could refer to any pedals without toe clips (like a flat rubber or rattrap pedal) as well as pedals with a locking mechanism to engage a cleat. Distinguishing between shoe types that work with the pedal (cleated vs uncleated) makes more sense, except that pedals with toe clips and straps work with or without cleats (if you rember the old style cleats). How about "step in" pedals, or "twist out" pedals? Look, who pioneered modern pedals, originally manufactured ski bindings. What are step in/twist out ski bindings called, to distinguish them from the older bindings that broke legs?
11-02-2006, 10:09 AM
RoadRaven

GO GO BadJuJu!!!

Welcome to the club... :D
11-02-2006, 10:50 AM
SouthernBelle

Why is it that I'm the only person who fell all over the place on their first clipless ride?

Good job!
11-02-2006, 11:29 AM
chickwhorips

congrats on turning to the otherside.

SouthernBelle trust me your not the only one that fell your first time with clipless. i fell more than one time my first time!
11-02-2006, 11:44 AM
spokewench

Way to go Ju Ju

way to go Ju ju. See, it isn't that hard! I don't count falling on my mountain bike with clipless. It took me a year to fall once I got clipless on my roadbike and over I went at an intersection on a group ride (where I didn't know anyone!) Boy did I feel like a putz!
11-02-2006, 12:02 PM
eclectic

Hip Hip Hooray! ! ! ! Isn't it fun? ? ? ?

And the new bike sounds like a dream :D
11-02-2006, 01:44 PM
aicabsolut

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthernBelle

Why is it that I'm the only person who fell all over the place on their first clipless ride?

Yeah, you're not the only one :o. I fell over in the first 5 seconds because I was in too high a gear and somehow forgot that with the cleat you can pedal with one leg for a while. It went something like: pushoff, coast, wobble, crash. I have a nice white and purple scar on my elbow reminding me of it (about a month ago or so). But that's because I was dumb enough to wait until after I skinned myself to take it to the grass. Luckily I didn't run into a tree! My experiences keep me scared enough of them in stop/start situations that I really think about what I'm doing..keeps me from getting cocky or sloppy about it even though I'm much improved.
11-04-2006, 07:01 AM
Meaux

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthernBelle

Why is it that I'm the only person who fell all over the place on their first clipless ride?

Good job!

I didn't fall on my first clipless ride, but I fell for three rides after that. But I'm normally a HUGE klutz without the bike. When I showed my co-workers the multiple bruises and road rash from my last ride, they said that DH should get me some training wheels for Christmas. HA HA! :rolleyes:
11-04-2006, 07:38 AM
wannaduacentury

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthernBelle

Why is it that I'm the only person who fell all over the place on their first clipless ride?

Good job!

Great job JuJu.

SB, I fell over on my first day too after an hour and then had a scraped knee and elbow to go w/it. Fortunately I was on dirt. Jennifer
11-05-2006, 05:48 AM
LAB

Golly! Mandatory falls going clipless?

Is it manditory to fall using a clipless system? Heck, I haven't even put the straps on my road bike and I'm thinking about going clipless! I must be nuts! :o

Bad JuJu --- congrats are obviously in order (I think!)

Seriously, do people generally fall when using the clipless system? If so, is there a more correct way to fall to prevent injury??????
11-05-2006, 06:49 AM
SouthernBelle

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAB

Is it manditory to fall using a clipless system? Heck, I haven't even put the straps on my road bike and I'm thinking about going clipless! I must be nuts! :o

Bad JuJu --- congrats are obviously in order (I think!)

Seriously, do people generally fall when using the clipless system? If so, is there a more correct way to fall to prevent injury??????

I went straight to clipless. Bought a new first road bike with clipless pedals. They have platforms that clip on allowing me to ride in tennies. Decided to ride the 25 miles to LBS to have some adjustments done. While there, I bought the shoes, got a clipless lesson in the parking lot, took off on the 25 miles home. Fell twice in a church parking lot. I thought I should unclip on the right when I'm a left unclipper. I ended up riding off in the grass when I wanted to stop so I could fall over if need be. I was a slow learner.