Were you ever afraid of clipless?

[indysteel]

I can do both, but ride both MTB and road. That said, track standing on my road bike is a terrific skill - I don't have to unclip at red lights or stop signs (but I will, if necessary).

Bunny hopping on the road to avoid an obstacle is a BAD idea, generally. It can be done, but the potential danger is greater on the road than at slow speeds on the trails. And in a paceline/pack, there is NEVER an instance where you should be doing this as you would be putting others in danger (they might not see what you are hopping, and hit whatever you were avoiding).

These are both good skills, but be careful with their practice. And clipless pedals will simplify, but both can be achieved with platforms as well.

SheFly

I've seen people bunny hop on a road bike as a last resort to hitting an obstacle, but I've never seen anybody do it in a pack. As for trackstanding, I can see its utility and ride with plenty of people who do it at red lights, including my husband (although frankly, it looks like more effort than it's worth). I was just trying to explain that it's not an imperative skill to have for road biking such that you need to get clipless pedals so that you can learn to do it.

[SheFly]

I was just trying to explain that it's not an imperative skill to have for road biking such that you need to get clipless pedals so that you can learn to do it.

And I agree, 100%!

SheFly

[BC2COCyclist]

I used my new Speedplay 0s for the first time tonight - on the trainer! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

[Owlie]

Yes. It took me a year to get up the courage to use them. I skipped the toe cages/straps, because the movement required to get out of them isn't intuitive, and if you crash, clipless pedals should in theory release you, whereas there's a distinct possibility of breaking something due to getting stuck in cages.

Now, of course, I rather like them, and don't like riding without them, at least on a road bike.

I'm glad you're getting the hang of them.

[BC2COCyclist]

I'm also going to RIDE on the trainer as well as clip in/clip out as DH warned me my legs will get tired quicker with clipless - your legs don't get a break like they do with platform pedals.

ie: I'm going to *use* the pedals and build strength, eh?

[indysteel]

I'm also going to RIDE on the trainer as well as clip in/clip out as DH warned me my legs will get tired quicker with clipless - your legs don't get a break like they do with platform pedals.

ie: I'm going to *use* the pedals and build strength, eh?

That's assuming you have a good pedal stroke that utilizes both the upstroke and downstroke and everything in between. Your hamstrings might feel a bit tired for your first few rides, but my guess is that you'll adapt relatively quickly if you're otherwise in decent shape.

[Owlie]

My quads loved me for switching to clipless. My hamstrings...didn't, at least for the first few rides. They got used to it.

[indysteel]

My quads loved me for switching to clipless. My hamstrings...didn't, at least for the first few rides. They got used to it.

I've been riding with platforms on my mountain bike and, eek, my quads hate me. I can't wait to switch to clipless so that my hamstrings can share the load.

[BC2COCyclist]

Thanks, guys!

[BC2COCyclist]

I practiced clipping in and out several times today and I rode 5 (sweaty) miles on the trainer. ))))

I notice that it is more difficult to clip out on one side than the other, which I think is odd.

I'll practice clipping in and out of the side that's easier for whatever reason, too, I think it's a good idea.

[Catrin]

I practiced clipping in and out several times today and I rode 5 (sweaty) miles on the trainer. ))))

I notice that it is more difficult to clip out on one side than the other, which I think is odd.

I'll practice clipping in and out of the side that's easier for whatever reason, too, I think it's a good idea.

One side is always easier than the other, it has to do with which side is dominant or which is our power leg. My "power" leg actually isn't my right leg - oddly enough as I am quite right sided. I do clip in first with my right leg, but that is my preference.

[Sardine]

I practiced clipping in and out several times today and I rode 5 (sweaty) miles on the trainer. ))))

I notice that it is more difficult to clip out on one side than the other, which I think is odd.

I'll practice clipping in and out of the side that's easier for whatever reason, too, I think it's a good idea.

Glad it's going well BC2COCyclist.

I agree with Catrin. I also find it easier to clip in and out on one side. In fact, I hardly ever clip out on the right side when riding except at the end of the ride or in an emergency. I clip and unclip on the left for stops (we drive on the left). I am also extremely right handed/sided/whatever. Believe it or not, I struggle to get on the bike from the right hand side. I have to do it from the left side, leading with my right leg.

Another thing that I realised this morning riding to work was how instinctive the clipping/unclipping action has become over time. I've just switched to narrower and shallower road bars on one bike which allows me to ride on the drops more easily. However, that puts me in a different position when I stop. I don't have to give much thought to clipping and unclipping when riding on the hoods because I'm so used to it but in this new position, I'm more conscious of 'planning ahead' just because it feels different.

[Owlie]

I have some range-of-motion issues in my left ankle, but even without it I'd still expect to prefer to clip out on the right.

[jessmarimba]

I clip in first with my non-dominant leg (left) - probably b/c it's easier to instinctively find the second pedal with my stronger leg. If I clip in with the right first the left takes forever to get right.

Clipping out...depends on where I'm stopping. I like to stay on the saddle at a light and put my right foot on the curb if it's close enough Otherwise the right side of the road slopes away farther so I put the left down.

[Titania]

I'm going in for another test ride and hopefully full fitting next Saturday, and I'm going to get fitted for clipless. Never having ridden them before, I'm nervous as can be.

My sales guy said they'd give me plenty of time in the trainer to get used to them...then I get to hope I don't kill myself on my test ride!