Going back to unclipped (cages) from clips

[Crankin]

I have almost totally forgotten how to ride without being clipped in. Personally, I hate the feeling of my feet flying off of the pedals. I might ride to the pond (1 mile) in my regular Keens, but, it's just as easy to wearing my cycling sandals.
I don't ride in the city, but I do do errands sometimes on my Coda, that necessitates a lot of stopping and starting. While this bike has campus pedals, I rarely use the flat side. One time I did a 4 mile ride into town in regular shoes, was stopped at a light, and I could not get started without being clipped in. It was like I had forgot the whole motion I learned when I learned to ride as a kid. After that little experience, I never wore regular shoes again.

[Sardine]

That's the article that got me thinking about switching to platforms. It made total sense to me. Like tzvia said in her post, it's all about what you're comfortable with and what works for you.

Sorry, I didn't track back far enough from your earlier posts and didn't realize that you'd already mentioned the article.

[Velocivixen]

@Sardine, I am familiar with that article. I think the bottom line is that if you're an "average" person who simply wants to ride a bike, one does not need to get bogged down in trying to figure out all the "correct" gear that they think they need. It is possible to simply hop on a bike and ride. One doesn't need helmets, lights, padded britches, goretex shells, etc., etc. to simply ride a bike and have fun. Sure, those cycling specific articles can solve issues that may or may not arise. If one races or does seriously long distances, then things like clipless pedals, heart rate monitors and the myriad of other equipment may be either helpful or necessary. In general though, and especially those who are simply contemplating riding a bike, it can be incredibly overwhelming, in regard to equipment, to the point of just saying "Oh forget it!" and never get on a bike. People can become so "paralyzed" that they don't make any decision or they think they must "decide" and they never actually go ride. If you're one who's all about efficiency of pedal stroke, time, mph, cadence, etc. then clipless is likely the way to go. Yes, I know there are those who find clipless better, more comfortable, more efficient, etc., etc., but it's not absolutely necessary. It's simply an option.

[RubyTuesday]

Velocivixen, where is the "like" button when you need one? Great post!

[Catrin]

Velo - do you really think helmets aren't needed? I would say that nobody should be on a bike without a helmet...one never knows what might happen! Head meeting concrete or rock is never a good thing...

Aside from that I agree with everything you said, and I may have misunderstood your statement.

[Crankin]

+1 Catrin.
I never felt any of the things I have bought for cycling as overwhelming. It was all to make me feel comfortable. Sure, I rode in jeans as a kid and running shorts and sneakers in the 80's, but I sure didn't go on 50 mile rides then. Or even 10 miles. Maybe I just like to buy stuff ? Seriously, I used to spend a lot of time and money "shopping" and at the mall. I don't do that anymore. It's all focused on cycling or the other outdoor activities I do.
I have read articles that allude to the fact that cycling gear turns off people. It's just hard for me to imagine. I have friends who play tennis and golf and there's just as much obsession over "stuff" for those sports. Even yoga has all of its props and clothing. It's all part of the sport. There's no reason why you can't hop on a bike to do errands in your regular clothes, but I find this "anti-" gear attitude a bit disconcerting and strange.

[Velocivixen]

@Catrin, I would never ever advocate not wearing a helmet and I certainly wear one 100% of the time. What I'm really getting at in specific reference to the Rivendell article about "The Shoe Ruse" is that people don't need to be intimidated by various types of pedals. Pick a pedal that suits your needs and just go ride. I included all those other items in order to make a point that, for some, choosing all sorts of things can keep them off a bike. For some, it can just be overwhelming.

[KnottedYet]

For some people their bikes are for sport. And they buy sport gear.

For other people their bikes are for transportation. They have no desire to be browbeat into buying gear they do not need and prefer to buy multi-use stuff.

And then there are people (like me) who have "n+1" bikes, some for sport, some for transportation, and some just for cruising around looking sex-ay. We buy every damn thing...

[Velocivixen]

Ooooh yes, I like that "n+1" too. I'd love to have all sorts of bikes.

Well, I do hope that the original poster enjoys her new pedal options and keeps us posted on how it turns out.

[jlnc]

I just read the article mentioned. Makes me feel better about sticking with my old sneakers for now.
Can you imagine Cadel Evans wearing Crocs on the TdF???

[Sardine]

@Sardine, I am familiar with that article. I think the bottom line is that if you're an "average" person who simply wants to ride a bike, one does not need to get bogged down in trying to figure out all the "correct" gear that they think they need. It is possible to simply hop on a bike and ride. One doesn't need helmets, lights, padded britches, goretex shells, etc., etc. to simply ride a bike and have fun. Sure, those cycling specific articles can solve issues that may or may not arise. If one races or does seriously long distances, then things like clipless pedals, heart rate monitors and the myriad of other equipment may be either helpful or necessary. In general though, and especially those who are simply contemplating riding a bike, it can be incredibly overwhelming, in regard to equipment, to the point of just saying "Oh forget it!" and never get on a bike. People can become so "paralyzed" that they don't make any decision or they think they must "decide" and they never actually go ride. If you're one who's all about efficiency of pedal stroke, time, mph, cadence, etc. then clipless is likely the way to go. Yes, I know there are those who find clipless better, more comfortable, more efficient, etc., etc., but it's not absolutely necessary. It's simply an option.

Too true. That's why I posted the article which offers the alternative view, whether I agree or not in this specific case. Pedals, helmet and jacket aside, I'm a pretty low tech cyclist.

[Catrin]

@Catrin, I would never ever advocate not wearing a helmet and I certainly wear one 100% of the time. What I'm really getting at in specific reference to the Rivendell article about "The Shoe Ruse" is that people don't need to be intimidated by various types of pedals. Pick a pedal that suits your needs and just go ride. I included all those other items in order to make a point that, for some, choosing all sorts of things can keep them off a bike. For some, it can just be overwhelming.

I agree, but I had to speak up since you specifically mentioned helmets, that's all. We can certainly get overly caught up in the gear, especially for those who are just interested in short rides (the thought of riding 25 miles in jeans just makes me hurt), but when I see such discussions including helmets as "optional", it concerns me.

Thank you for the clarification, your post didn't reference the article so could only assume you were presenting your personal perspective. Ride on

[Velocivixen]

No worries Catrin. As a matter of fact since I've purchased a new bike I've already been looking at new helmets! (my current one is new & just fine), but you know....another reason to spend some money for the sake of riding. Lol

[rivergal]

I grew up on cages - that was all we had on my brother's 10 speeds growing up. So when I got my first road bike of my own 3 years ago that's what I had. Found out pretty quickly that I wanted something better, but was still a bit leery of clipless, mainly because of knee issues.

What I ended up with were Power Grips, which I love. Very easy for me to get used to, just angle in and straighten, and your feet are in the grip.

They don't give quite as much power perhaps as clipless, but they're miles above cages, and I don't need special shoes, above some athletics with fairly smooth soles. Right now I'm using the Pearl Izumi Syncro Seek II running shoes.

Here's the link to Power Grips http://www.mountainracingproducts.co...rips-products/
My first set were the performance group. The second set I used the strap kit with purple VP MTB pedals. They're about $60-70 on ebay for the set, and $20 or so for the strap kit.

For me, this was a good compromise. I'm planning to pick up another set for the bike I"m putting together.

[skywalkerbeth]

I never did update this, although I think I announced this elsewhere...

I had a pro-fit done 6 weeks ago. For other reasons I've been off the bike for two months, so this wkd was my first ride after the pro-fit (BG - Specialized).

At any rate, he talked me into spds. WOW. SO easy. As in, astoundingly easy. You don't even realize you just clipped in when you put your foot on them, and getting out is super easy - barely a flick in either direction.

The anxiety factor has gone down significantly now. As I use them more and more and realize the odds of going down at weird times has decreased I'll feel better.

I've no doubt challenges will remain, such as if I go up a hill and get way too slow or have to stop quickly, or even re-starting on a hill perhaps.. but this is so much better.

It also makes "starting off" easier because I don't actually have to have one foot clipped in to do so. By this I mean the speedplays were so foreign to me (and tiny) that unclipping both feet meant a big hassle getting going after a stop. The shoes were so slippery and the pedal so small that trying to pedal without the foot being clipped was actually kind of dangerous. You couldn't rely on it to cross a street safely after a stop.

My old flow with cages was first right foot down, and the left one down next so that each stop sign meant two feet planted. To start I'd kick the right pedal to get me moving and then mount. I can now do the same thing because clipping is so easy. Plus, the other side of the pedal has no clips which means I could choose from time to time, too.