clipless pedals?

[sookiesue]

I am relatively new to road cycling, and have a two-day, 150 mile charity ride coming up in mid-September. I got a new bike about 3 weeks ago, and now am trying to decide if I should try out clipless pedals at this point or just stick with my flat pedals and gym sneakers and focus more on the training rather than adapting to something new. My husband insists that clipless pedals make a huge difference in preserving your energy because you can use more muscle groups, but the bike salesman (who does a lot of touring riding) told me he went back to regular pedals so he didn't have to deal with lots of different shoes and didn't find it to be a problem.

I just joined this forum and am very appreciative of all the questions and answers I have been reading!

[tangentgirl]

If your ride is in September, you have some time to get used to clipless pedals. They do make a huge difference, since you can power your bike both pushing and pulling.

They are relatively easy to install and remove, so you could always get a set, ride for a week or two, and if you feel like you are not going to be able to adjust in time for your ride, have them removed. You could also get a pedal wrench and remove them yourself - no bike shop trip required.

Good luck!

[westtexas]

I love being clipless. I'm not sure what the LBS guy meant about dealing with lots of different shoes - I've got one pair of shoes I always use with my bike, and you can walk around in them if you have to. I think the benefits of clipless are great and I'll never go back

[Owlie]

How do you feel about switching to clipless pedals? Were you riding before you got this new bike? Yes, they do allow you to use your hamstrings as well as your quads and can be really helpful on hills, but I wouldn't say it's the huge difference your husband says it is, or that you'd notice the benefits if you don't have a mileage base to begin with.

If you just got into riding, I would say that you should continue to build up your base and get comfortable with the bike and riding on roads and everything before you add clipless pedals into the mix. If you want a little more grip on the pedals, you can try toe cages or BMX pedals, which have little pins that grab the soles of your shoes.

Edit: I should say that I do ride with clipless pedals (Shimano SPDs) and love them, and I can walk around in the shoes. It did, however, take me nearly a year to make the leap.

[indysteel]

I don't know that there's any one right answer to this. I know plenty of people who waited to try clipless until they were more experienced on their bikes. I know people who don't use clipless at all. And then there are those, like me, who started using them right away. I like using them, personally, and didn't find them that hard to learn how to use. I use Look Keos by the way.

Give it a shot. The worst that happens is that you take them off and try them some other time.

[goldfinch]

I compromised because I do not feel ready for clipless. I got Power Grips. They are very easy to use.

[Nick]

I recently started with clipless (Crank Candy 3s) and they did take some getting used to. If you plan to get them for a mid-September ride, I would recommend getting them ASAP and riding with them as much as you possibly can before the long ride. For me, it's not the clipless pedaling that takes some getting used to -- that part is easy (and does seem more efficient). It's the clipping in and out. Personally, I would want to be comfortable with sudden starts and stops -- & handling unexpected jostling if I were planning a group ride.

[Jen12]

I just switched to clipless and I don't think they're all that. I haven't been on any super long rides, so I can't speak from personal experience as to feeling like they're more efficient. If anything, I feel more limited on them because you have to maintain a specific position.

[Flyneagle]

I have been reading this forum for a few months now and finally registry to start posting. I am very new to cycling..I bought my first bike in June a 2012 specialized Dolce. I been average right at 20 miles a ride twice a week and short 8 mile rides in between. My question is the right sides of my feet go very numb and I wanted to know if switching to clipless pedals and shoes will help with this....any suggestions would be great! I have learned so much from all the postings....

[Flyneagle]

Hi there! I was had a fitting....and everything feels really good...just when I get about 5 miles in the outer edge of my feet along with the last two toes go numb...it's a little wierd but I can't put my finger on it...I am going to go to the LBS tomorrow and see what they say....I am planning on doing the MS ride next month and so I been considering starting in on new pedals and shoes before the ride and hoping it will help

[jusdooit]

Flyneagle.......if you don't go clipless at least get a very stiff sole shoe. It is possible your foot is being allowed to flex in a way that is cutting off circulation to parts that are going numb. Maybe MTB shoes just without the pedals.
And welcome to TE!

[sookiesue]

I love this forum. I asked a question and got so many great suggestions. Thanks so much! I did get a new saddle and used it for the first time on a 65 mile ride - yeah, probably not the best idea - but it turned out to be great! Much of the saddle-area aches were alleviated. I also tried out Hoo Ha Ride Glide and that was a great addition as well. Highly recommend that stuff. A professional fitting is probably a good idea and could help with my low back issues, although they are something I have been dealing with for years and I am actually amazed at how little my back has been troubling me with all the riding I've been doing. Getting back to the clipless pedals, I appreciate all the recommendations and look forward to monkeying around with them more after I get through this event! And I'm going to get the book RubyTuesday mentioned. I love that there's something out there written especially for women. Thank you all again for all the great responses.

[smittykitty]

Isn't this forum the Best? You can learn Everything you every need to know about biking, plus how to choose a Realtor and what breakfast foods to take take on an airplane! Really what does the rest of the world do for info?