Clipless pedals once again and the Texas Time Trials

[ny biker]

I think most people fall at some point due to clipless pedals. I've fallen several times. But I've never wound up with more than a minor bruise or a scrape from it.

The most important things I've learned:

- Make sure you know which foot you put down first on intinct when you stop. I never really noticed this before I got clipless pedals, and for some reason just assumed it was my left foot. But it turned out I always put my right foot down first. That was my first clipless fall.

- Clip out well in advance of needing to put your foot down -- before you get to the intersection. Even if you're not sure you'll have to stop, clip out if there's a chance.

- Shift into an easy gear before you clip out. This will make it easier when you get started again, since you will be pedaling briefly with one foot clipped in while you are getting the second foot clipped in.

- When you are starting out and getting the second foot clipped in, start with the clipped-in foot high in the pedal stroke (around the 2:00 position) so you will get maximum momentum with that first stroke. Sit on the saddle immediately, then clip in the second foot. You will be more stable when you're seated, which will make it easier to pedal once or twice with one foot while clipping the second one.

- Practice clipping in and out on a indoor trainer to get used to the motions.

- Don't clip in with both feet when you're in slow-moving crowds, like at the mass start of a big organized ride or at an intersection with lots of pedestrian traffic.

As for knees, I've found that Speedplay pedals are good because there's more float with them.

[thekarens]

Is there a good and affordable Speedplay pedal that you'd recommend?

[Owlie]

Caution with Speedplays: Is your area sandy? Speedplays don't seem to like sand very much.

[thekarens]

If I were mountain biking I'd say very sandy. Where we've road biked no sand. I assume I'd need to carry cleat covers?

[indysteel]

I like my Look Keos, and their basic version is relatively inexpensive. It's the road shoes that can be pricey. The only shoes that fit my foot seem to be Sidis, and they're not all that cheap (although they last for a long time).

[luvmyguys]

Well, you probably saw my first experience with clipless - but I haven't fallen since starting back! (Knock on wood!!!)

ny biker had great advice, especially about figuring how how you get off the bike already. I think what killed me was that I was trying to take everyone else's advice when I wasn't ready for it. Fortunately, you've been riding for a bit longer, and should hopefully have a better idea of how you ride than I did.

I'm not trying to do time trials, so this might not apply so much to you, but I'm using SPD's (MTB style) on my roadie. From what I understand, road shoes and pedals are lighter (I think?) than the SPD versions, so that might matter for a time trial. But when I get to the point of the century, I'll be putting the A-600's back on (right now I still have my baby step, training wheel, A-530's with a platform side and a clip-in side), which have a better pedal-to-shoe contact area than most SPD pedals, and more like a typical road pedal. So those can work, but for what you're trying to do, you may want the road versions.

Have fun with it!!

[thekarens]

Even though it is a "race" I'm not trying to race. My goal is to just finish in the allotted time, which is 3 hours for 26.5 miles. Here in Houston it wouldn't be a problem, but from what I've been told it's very hilly there and that's something I know nothing about. I figure clipless will give me more power and I'll be able to use my "pull" muscles on my legs along with my "push" muscles. That's my main goal.