trouble stopping and starting at traffic lights

[Dogmama]

Oooohhhhh new shoes! Yes! I bought some new Sidi's about a year ago and I was absolutely amazed at how much more power I had in my pedal stroke. Of course, my old shoes were over 10 years old. They were Time's - made for a man (this was before they thought women road bikes.)

[caligurl]

my bike came home from the store with clipless pedals on it! if it hadn't.. i would have NEVER clipped my foot into that contraption! would have used it like a walmart/kmart bike..

those things look barbaric (the strap kind!)

[CorsairMac]

I used platforms and cages - I'm not sure there were even clipless pedals when I started riding. (ROFL) I will Never use cages - they scare the heck outta me and I was forever playing the game of trying to get started without my toe in the cage until I could find the time to flip the pedal etc etc. And the time I had to swerve real sharp on take off and dragged the cage on the ground?...OFF came the cages. I just got a new bike - again - and I haven't invested in the clipless yet - but they will prolly be on in the next 2 wks. Thnks ALL of you btw for your advice on the clipless - these will be my first pair and I'm excited, nervous, anxious, can't stand the waiting!

[HBK]

Oooohh, now this is the sort of debate that I joined this group for. And, highly relevant to me. As I mentioned I am riding primarily in NYC right now. The realm in which we ride is nothing but intersections and stop lights (except for the new bike path that Mayor Bloomberg has had built around Manhattan. There are obstacles there too of course but more on that later.) I am familiar with using toe cages/clips from my early cycling days, nevertheless they frustrate me terribly in the short stopping, taxi cutting off and sudden door opening environment I am forced to deal with. I have almost killed myself a couple of times. Coupled with the foot cramps I have been having from wearing sneakers, this makes for a less enjoyable situation than I would like. I am on the verge of taking the "clipless plunge" mainly because I really NEED cycling shoes anyway. My husband, of course, thinks I am crazy. He can be forgiven though, he was a first time cyclist at age 45 and has never had real cycling shoes. He frequently rides 25 miles in socks and sandals using platform pedals! So, any advice about which system is the most forgiving, which shoes you can wear and actually walk around the city in, how and where to practice will be VERY welcome.

Thanks again,

Holly

[Veronica]

There's nothing wrong with using platform pedals - especially for city riding. You may find them much more sensible. My pedals are double sided - SPDs on one side, platform on the other. I commute to work in my regular work shoes. Short things around town, going to the dentist, eye doctor etc. I use the platforms. I have looked for shoes that are flat, reasonably stylish and comfortable. I like a more rigid sole too. Summers I wear white sneakers from LL Bean. For the winter I wear a couple of pair of Eccos.

Clipless is NOT a necessity! If you prefer it - go clipless by all means. If you're racing you probably need to be clipless. For a long ride, I like to be clipless. But it won't make you substantially faster. I know, I've timed myself both ways! Or climb better. I've tested that theory too.

Enjoy the ride!

Veronica

[slinkedog]

Gee, if this is true (your research on platforms vs. clipless) maybe I'll just go platform for a while so I'm not so nervous all the time!! How long do you consider a 'long ride?'

[Veronica]

I've done twenty miles or so with sneakers and platforms. I've ridden up Mount Diablo that way - including the 18% grade at the top and I routinely stand on my platforms and climb. My times up the mountain are all within a couple minutes of each other. Maybe other people would get different results.

When I first got my Rivendell I figured I'd give Grant's (Rivendell's owner) philosophy a try. He never rides clipped in and has great legs! But my cadence wasn't as smooth when I wasn't clipped in and with friction shifters, smooth is important. I've since gotten a lot smoother so that's not so important anymore. If I'm going to do what I think of as more "aggressive" riding, I'd rather be clipped in. It just feels better to me. But I've always ridden clipped in since we got our first mountain bikes in '88 or '89.

It is important to find a comfortable shoe and that is one reason I prefer clipless. I found that all my shoes would eventually get too much flex in them to be comfortable on a longer ride. I would eventually feel the teeth of the platforms through the sole. So twenty is about my limit.

Veronica

[coolbeansbikes]

Have you all considered mini toe clips (cages)? I had these for a long time before I went clipless and found them very easy to use!


They are similar to cages, but only cover your toes, and do not have straps on them.



http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=

[HBK]

This is a vry interesting discussion... I do find that my pedaling is more smooth and efficient with the clips. And believe me at my level of cycling I need all the help (especially on hills and bridge ramps ). But I am thinking I will go without too, untill I make up my mind.

Keep it coming!

Holly

[maryellen]

I too use toe clips without straps. Very helpful for NYC stop and go traffic, though I am hoping to transition to clipless pedals by next spring--one of several cycling goals.