clipless pedal woes

[SouthernBelle]

Go ahead and do all of those goofy things. Where else ya gonna do em?!

[DMB]

Wasn't sure if because I started this thread here I was supposed to continue here? or start a new one? How does that work?
ANYWAY - I did go to REI yesterday and the people there are really GREAT about explaining things to you. I returned the Izumi road bike shoes with the 3 holes and got these Pearl Izumi Quest Mountain Bike Shoes ($90. AND they had my size again...37). I also got the Crank Bros Quattros pedals - only $20.!! and the brass clips. So - today I practice, practice, practice - and well, I guess we'll see. Thanks again for all the advice and help. OH, BTW - thought you all might like to know this about REI. I've been shopping for a new bike for a while now - they will let you buy a bike, take it home and ride it for a while and return it for a full refund if you don't like it. They then sell returned bikes in one of their 4x a year "garage sales" as a used bike. I talked to 3 or 4 people and they all said that REI's 100% Customer Satisfaction is no lie. They have WSD Cannondale Road bikes on sale right now, I'm thinking of doing this OR just waiting until January for their "after the holidays" garage sale.

[CyclChyk]

I, like Lisa, choose not to ride clipped in. Just too uncoordinated. BUT advise given me at the time I was "learning" which I found to be very good, is to start out with just one foot clipped in. That way you have one free for 'stability." (wear a regular shoe on the other foot.) Then, switch off feet. Then, both together. Kinda like "clipless training wheels" - It helped me feel more in control but ultimately, clipping in is not my thing. I value my life too much (the whole uncoordinated thing.)

[DMB]

Thanks for the tip Lisa - I agree though, if this at all feels too uncomfortable, or unsafe, I'm not going to do it. I know I sound like an REI rep here (I'm not) but they even told me that if I try the shoes and clips for a while and don't like them I can return everything. Certainly can't beat that.

[DMB]

sorry about that.

[DMB]

Well, you certainly can't say I didn't give it a try. I really did. Didn't even have any dumps or anything. I just don't like the way it feels. I don't feel in control, I feel too confined. Guess I have issues. I do, however, like my toe clips (no cages) though. They hold my foot in the perfect place and getting in and out is a breeze. I don't race or ride with groups so the clipless thing was an experiment just to satisfy my curiousity. I can certainly see where you get a little more power behind your pedal, but I've since learned about efficient pedaling via Joe Friel and that has helped immensely. Thanks again for all your help and advice, I just thought I'd let you all know how this played out.

[redrhodie]

Good for you! It's always best to do what feels right to you. Listen to your instincts, and you won't go wrong.