Clipless & Hybrid??

[latelatebloomer]

Clipless & Hybrid? (sounds like some sort of poodle mutt) BUT, I was thinking of asking for SPD mountain bike shoes & pedals to match for my birthday next month. I like being able to walk sturdily and someone let me try their shoes on, liked 'em fine.Not so much chance I'll fall down in the middle of the gym. I thought I could practice with the clipless stuff in spin class a bit before taking them on the road. Question: Are people going to point and laugh at me going clipless on my li'l ole Giant Cypress Hybrid? I mean, I know I'm a nerd, but still....

[SadieKate]

I think you have a great plan. If you ever buy a road bike, you'll already have the skills. Learning in spin class is a good way to do it also.

[Grog]

Very good idea. Clipless pedals (Shimano SPD M520 if I remember correctly) were on my first decent bike, a Trek 7100 fx hybrid. I am quite sure that it got my love of cycling started, really. It tremendously improves efficiency, I find.

(Although just having stiff sole shoes does make a big difference, to start with.)

Why would people laugh at you? Plus: many commuters do just that.

[CorsairMac]

and what do you Care if they laugh at you??......you're riding my friend!!!

[Hammer]

Awesome. I was wondering about putting clipless pedals on my Trek 7200 myself. If I like them, I can put them on my roadbike... if I ever get one. Thanks for posting the question.

[PinkRacer]

Totally WHO CARES!

I wear Mountain bike shoes, they don't look all that different from the road shoes and I love the extra tread on the bottom so you don't ruin your cleats or sound like a tap dancer when walking around.

I use the Crankbrothers Candy C Pedals on my roadie I love them they are so easy.

Do I get looks from some of the foo-foo roadies yes... do I care?

Nope as quoted by the lovely CorsairMac "you're riding my friend".

[brok]

on my hybird - a Trek 7700FX and I wouldn't have it any other way. Same pedals on my road bike too. One pair of shoes and two bikes to choose from, what could be better?? OK,ok, I know, more shoes and/or bikes!!!

[latelatebloomer]

Thanks for putting my mind at ease!

By the way, I've been riding every day (just taking Fridays off for date night) for about a week - 6,8,0,10,9,3,8 miles - 10 being my best ever. (I used to ride about 3 or 4 days a week.) I feel fantastic and my riding seems to be improving really fast. There's only one hill on my current routes that still gets the best of me, and her days are numbered. I got this idea from the charts on training for a century ride in Bicycling mag. I felt like I needed to push for a weight breakthrough so I can start enjoying some longer rides.

I can't believe this is me! I skipped gym my ENTIRE junior year!!!

[jeannierides]

Latelatebloomer...you are NOt alone! I was just terrible! in gym...hated anything resembling athletics...such a sissy! NOW, I may be a sissy, but I'm a strong one!!

[Trekhawk]

[QUOTE=latelatebloomer]Thanks for putting my mind at ease!

By the way, I've been riding every day (just taking Fridays off for date night) for about a week - 6,8,0,10,9,3,8 miles - 10 being my best ever. (I used to ride about 3 or 4 days a week.) I feel fantastic and my riding seems to be improving really fast. There's only one hill on my current routes that still gets the best of me, and her days are numbered. I got this idea from the charts on training for a century ride in Bicycling mag. I felt like I needed to push for a weight breakthrough so I can start enjoying some longer rides.

Hey latelatebloomer - I saw the same training chart and thought it looked pretty good. Maybe you and I could do a virtual training program together. I always ride alone but it would be fun to know someone is out there riding along with me and even doing the same distance. Are you thinking of doing a century soon?

[latelatebloomer]

Trek, realistically, I don't think I'm going to be up for a century until next year. On those charts in the magazine, I think the weekend rides STARTED at 25 or 30, and last Saturday's 10 was them most I've ever done. I'd like to surpass that by at least a mile or two this weekend, or at least do those 10 miles stronger. Where are you at for your long rides? How fast does an almost 46 year old, 220-some lb woman improve? I feel like there's some point at which my body fat will no longer dominate - that my ride will be less about moving the luggage - when was that for others?

[BIKEAWAY]

Okay Latelate Bloomer--I am 46 and was almost 220 and I ride 20-45 miles per day. I also am clipless and use mountain bike shoes as I have falled on road shoes.
I started going just 10 miles per day but as I grew to love biking more the bikes became thiner along with my butt...and the miles pile on..
My favorite thing to do is to sneak out of work and do a trail here in my area that is 40 mies.
Watch out this affliction sneaks up on you and before you know it...BAMMMMM You are a biker.

[Hammer]

My favorite thing to do is to sneak out of work and do a trail here in my area that is 40 mies.:

Ah, so you have an eye AND possibly a foot problem... you can't see being at work or you can't stand being inside. I have that problem too. As the days get shorter, I'll possibly have that issue too and try to sneak out a bit earlier.

[bouncybouncy]

Ah, so you have an eye AND possibly a foot problem... you can't see being at work or you can't stand being inside. I have that problem too. As the days get shorter, I'll possibly have that issue too and try to sneak out a bit earlier.

Can I quote you on that hammer??? I love it!!!


I am soon to be a bicycle commuter and am looking into a good bike to attach a rack, pannier, or any of the sorts to run errands, commute to work, or just tool around aimlessly I have not really put alot of thought into shoes, just assumed i would wear my mtnbike shoes (get the same type of pedals for the commuter) I feel so much more connected when i am clipped in...i was playing with a friends new bike around the driveway and almost lost it on a curb cause i forgot i was not clipped (i won't mention the bike was about 2 feet too big for me ) In fact i am hoping for a pair of these for Valentines day (hey...it is the only holiday right before summer )

Besides...reading about all these crazy drivers I may need to get a BMX bike to perform some crazy tricks to avoid ignorant drivers!

[Hammer]

Quote away. I stole it from my co-workers. I've never heard it anywhere else. Whenever I say that I have an eye problem, I usually have to explain it.