Should I start rightoff with clipless or start with cages??

[redrhodie]

I want to add, if you go with cages, don't tighten them all the way. Once you're confident in your riding skills, and feel ready to tighten the cages, go clipless instead.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I use PowerGrip straps. I love them.
They go diagonally over the foot, so it's the same motion getting in and out as clipless (turn heel out to get in or out, then straighten foot and it snugs up and holds your foot). I don't feel much "trapped" a difficult situation like stopping on a steep hill or a sudden stop. I started with them rather loose and felt safer that way, but now I have them quite snug so I can pull up on the pedals if I choose.
DH uses cages and he loves those.

Just to cause trouble and present a totally different point of view:
http://www.rivbike.com/article/clothing/the_shoes_ruse

[mimitabby]

Lisa, although i agree with a lot of what mr Riv. says; here's where I seriously disagree. If you regularly go on rides of over 50 miles, the unnatural pressure on the middle part of your foot is going to take its toll. if you have a stiff sole on the shoe, it is protecting your foot from that.
I wore regular running shoes for my first day of spinning class. I was able to move my feet around on the pedals; but when pedalling you really don;t move much and my feet were sore when i was done. Switched back to the bike shoes... tons better.

But to the original poster and the rest of you; i'm not saying she should start riding with cages for a few months; i just meant the first few rides on the bike. If she's courageous and coordinated like many of you are; starting clipless should be fine for her. But for some of us, that would really be impossible.
Good luck, you know who you are.

[onimity]

I'm with those that recommend platform pedals -> clipless.

If this is your first road bike, you will have lots of things to get used to, probably new shifters, a new position, etc., and it will be easy to forget that you have to unclip. Why add another variable into the mix?

While I learned some things about riding clipless with cages (I used them before clipless was common) I don't see them as a step along the path, exactly.

The cages have a learning curve too, and I at least have fallen more with them than with clipless.

Anne

[SadieKate]

From the Riv article: If you want to train a dog to come, you don't keep him (or in my case her) on a leash.

Huh? What school of dog training did he go to? I can hear the lessons now.

Rover! Come! Come Rover! Rover ! ROVER!
ROVER, COME! COME! . . . etc., etc., etc., ad nausem.

If one doesn't need clipless why do my shins turn to bloody pulp every time I ride without?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If one doesn't need clipless why do my shins turn to bloody pulp everytime I ride without?

Holy cow, why on earth would they turn to bloody pulp?!? My shins are just fine without clipless. Please explain! People have been riding bikes for generations without clipless and without bloody pulp shins, if I'm not mistaken.
Hmm...I think dogs can be trained to come without a leash. I've done it since I was a kid with quite a few dogs, using treats and lots of praise.

Mimi- I totally agree that shoes with stiff soles are more comfortable than soft soled sneakers for long rides. In fact, I just bought some nice stiff-soled hiking shoes this week and can't wait to ride my bike in them (and go hiking too!).

[Blueberry]

I can't answer for SK - only myself

I ride spd's generally, but have one pair that are flat on one side for store runs, etc. I have apparently trained myself to pedal circles. When I pull up and I'm not clipped in, foot flies off of pedal - the other foot is still pushing down, so the crank is still rotating, and all of a sudden I have a large pedal gash in my shin

I don't know if I'd have the same problem with cages/power grips. I'm happy enough with clipless I haven't felt the need to try them out. To each her own...

[SadieKate]

I can't answer for SK - only myself

I ride spd's generally, but have one pair that are flat on one side for store runs, etc. I have apparently trained myself to pedal circles. When I pull up and I'm not clipped in, foot flies off of pedal - the other foot is still pushing down, so the crank is still rotating, and all of a sudden I have a large pedal gash in my shin

Yep, exactly.

[Flybye]

I vote for clipless. Love them and I just started with them this spring.

[SadieKate]

Because I lift my feet off the pedals expecting the pedal to come with the foot. The crank then spins around and hits my shin. What, your BB brackets don't spin? I hate not being able to rotate a crank back ward when stopped at an intersection without sticking my foot under the pedal to lift it. Plus, I'll lift a bit overenthusiasticly and send the crank spinning into my shin -- expecting it to stop when my foot stops.

Yes, people have been riding for generations without clipless but 100 years ago they didn't switch back and forth. It's just easier to stick with one way.

As for dog training, a long leash or light rope teaches them faster. Treats and praise are great rewards, but you can't give a correction by waving a treat at them. You always want a dog to think a leash is attached no matter whether one is or not.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Because I lift my feet off the pedals expecting the pedal to come with the foot. The crank then spins around and hits my shin. What, your BB brackets don't spin? I hate not being able to rotate a crank back ward when stopped at an intersection without sticking my foot under the pedal to lift it. Plus, I'll lift a bit overenthusiasticly and send the crank spinning into my shin -- expecting it to stop when my foot stops.

I see- it's from habit then, expecting the pedal to come up when you pull hard on it.
I suppose that would be an issue if you are mostly riding clipless and then take a plain platform ride on rare occasion.
With both cages and Powergrip straps, you have straps running over the top of your feet, your foot is "in" the strap and thus when you pull your foot up the pedal comes up along with it- you CAN pull up on the upstroke. Also, you CAN easily pull your pedal backwards and around into a good position while keeping your foot "in" at a stop light or intersection. It's really not that terribly different from the clipless concept, just a bit more play to work with if you have the cages or straps loosely adjusted. They can be adjusted pretty tight if you want. I keep my straps fairly snug. They also keep my foot from slipping off the pedal if it's wet out- pedals get quite slippery when wet. I love my straps.

Yes, people have been riding for generations without clipless but 100 years ago they didn't switch back and forth. It's just easier to stick with one way.

Some people switch bikes all the time with no problem- they keep a clipless bike for road riding and a plain platform pedal bikes for errands, and they use both bikes several times a week. Just saying.

As for dog training, a long leash or light rope teaches them faster. Treats and praise are great rewards, but you can't give a correction by waving a treat at them. You always want a dog to think a leash is attached no matter whether one is or not.

Indeed, one wouldn't give a correction by waving a treat! (-unless one was playing with less than a full deck) I think there are lots of various successful dog training methods out there. Probably using a long lead can help a great deal, but some things can be taught off leash too. I'm sure you are good at training dogs.

[SadieKate]

Some people switch bikes all the time with no problem- they keep a clipless bike for road riding and a plain platform pedal bikes for errands, and they use both bikes several times a week. Just saying.

Just saying that some people mountainbike when ingrained habits can save their tookas. Sometimes they purposely actually pedal backwards or ratchet the pedals.

Yeah, yeah, some people ride clipless when mountainbiking but, once again, they tend to do it consistently.