Going back to unclipped (cages) from clips

[Biciclista]

Of course, clips like SPD's can be made very loose so the ACL doesn't get hurt!
however, if you like cages, get cages.
We have a house guest at our place right now that just rode her bike from Maine to Seattle.
She has cages on her pedals.

[skywalkerbeth]

Hi everyone thanks again for all the great feedback.

An update:

I got my old mountain bike serviced this weekend. It has cages. I hadn't ridden it in ages because it needed a tuneup/new tubes.

I took it out tonight. I paid attention to my dismount. Oddly enough - I only dismount naturally on the right side anyway. I thought I was "forcing" myself to do the right side because it felt odd but no, that's the side I favor. This is, again, the cages not clipless tonight.

Dismounting on the left side felt very ungainly although I wonder now if it's because of 6-8 rides with the clipless/dismounting on the right only. Probably not because I rode that thing for years before, I can't believe I'd unlearn something in a handful of rides.

What is different is how I am approaching the stop though. I have my left foot down, right foot up.... I am coasting with the left foot down... then in one smooth motion the right foot moves forward a little, comes out, and then down. This is opposite of what I do now which is the right foot has to be down for me to unclip.

Interesting...

[ciao_bella]

I use platforms with these mini-toe clips by zefal:

http://www.zefal.com/zefal/produit.php?key=45

They cost around 8 dollars.

I have never fallen with these, and I can wear my regular shoes.

Ciao

[hulagirl]

It's a personal preference. If you don't feel safe, don't wear them. I, however, would not feel safe with cages. And it's also dangerous to others when someone that has clips is riding them and keeps clipping out way too early in a panic. They slow the group down behind them and things can get sketchy.

On my road/racing bike I have SpeedPlay Light Action that I wear with carbon sole SIDI shoes. Do they make me faster? Well, I used to have SPD pedals and mtn bike shoes and I can say that they are more efficient. I go faster with less energy loss and foot fatigue with a pedal/shoe designed for racing.

I just put Speedplay Drilliums (SUPER BIG platforms with spikes!) on my Bike Friday. I use this bike for tooling around town and running errands. The wide platform doesn't lose as much energy and my feet don't hurt as much. I can wear any shoe type and be ok.

I do have Light Actions for that bike too. And for longer rides I prefer them. Do I feel safer in them? I do yes. But I like to be able to react quickly to something - bunny hopping clipped in is easier for me - and I just don't have to work as hard in clips. My pedal stroke is more efficient because I can pull up as well as push down.

I developed this preference as my ability and confidence grew. So do what you like and what you feel safe in. You can always change later.

Denise

[tzvia]

Very much a personal choice. We each have to find our comfort zone. My first serous road bike back around '79 (a Raleigh) came with Campy Victory pedals with toe clips and leather straps. Hated them but slogged through learning how to flip the pedals over and get my feet in, tighten straps, loosen straps, pull out foot... UUUGGGGHHHH.

When I heard there were pedals that held your foot without cages in the 80s it was like a GOD-RAY had shined down from the heavens and struck my head! No more cages... So I bought the original LOOK pedals. That started me on the road to finding the best clipless pedals for me and when I found Speedplay in the late 90s I had found them. Still ride with X-1s. I can't imagine ever wanting the hell of cages again ever, straps or no.

When I bought my first MTB in '96 I put the first SPD XTR pedals on them and rode clipless from the first ride.

My utter hatred of cages, flipping the pedals over and those straps forced me to make clipless work at all costs. Yes I fell over, and yes I dusted myself off and kept going. Now it's second nature. I even use CB Candys on my commuter-it's a non issue to clip out and in at every light and stop.

So everyone has to find their comfortable spot- clips, rattrap pedals, SPDs, whaever. There are trade-offs with all. It's not about image, looking dorky or whatever if clipless is not for you, it's about being confident, comfortable and safe on the bike.

[skywalkerbeth]

Just an update:

It was toodamnhot to ride outside last weekend so I spent some time at the gym. Not "enough" but better than doing nothing.

Yesterday I did a spinning class and yoga. I'm definitely adding the yoga to my weekly rotation!

Anyway:

I took my bike in y'day to get the speedplays off and the cages back on. As mentioned, I DO NOT tighten the straps. I also bought new shoes. Specialized Tahoe. I could actually WALK in these things if I wanted to, wow.

This morning I rode 30 miles with them. So glad I took the clipless off. Much more comfortable/the anxiety is gone.

I should mention I do get some benefit from the cage. I didn't realize this before, but I'm not merely mashing the pedals. A few times I took off with the cages down (to get going before flipping them) and I felt like my feet were going to come off the pedal. I'm definitely using the upper part of the cage to help me lift and not just mash.

[KnottedYet]

Did you get a pedal wrench?

Seriously, buy a pedal wrench with a long handle. Then you can change pedals at your whim. It's quite easy to do!

Every woman should have her own pedal wrench and know how to use it.

[Velocivixen]

Hi Skywalkerbeth. I've been reading this thread hoping you would update. My first and only cycling shoes were bought a few months ago and they're the Tahoes in grey/crimson and I Love them. I wear them even when I'm not riding.
So what color did you get? I concur with Knotted to get a pedal wrench (long handled). I bought one along with some Phil Wood grease and changed my own pedals! It's a simple task, however it made me feel "accomplished". Have fun with your new shoes & pedals.

[RubyTuesday]

Honestly, I am happy to hear that I was not the only one that is a bit leery about clipless pedals. I am using Shimano 105's right now and they are working pretty well. I think I want to loosen the release a bit because mine are cranked down pretty tight. I don't think I need them that tight right now.

I have taken my first fall. It was a stupid coming to a stop, take out one foot and try to put the other foot down fall. Bruised hip and elbow abrasion. The bruise is gone and the abrasion is just a scar now, but the mental scar is still a bit raw. My fall was a newbie fall in the first five minutes of clips. I haven't done it again, but I anticipate that I will forget at some point.

Right now (and I don't care how new I sound at this), my husband and I yell out "clips" when we are making a stop. Most of the time we have remembered, but I see the day when you finally feel comfortable and you need a lesson in humility.

I think the clipless do help me with my riding on the many hills we have around our house. They still make me nervous. Does that every go away?