Clipless, OMG what a difference

[DDH]

Well, dh and I went to the LBS today and they had new shoes in and I have been needing to buy a pair of cycling shoes even if I wasn't going to go clipless I needed to get out of those tennis shoes to ride in.
Well, we went ahead and bought the cleats to go with the shoes since my bike had already come with clipless peddles.
DH put the on and set my shoes up. I got on the bike in the house while I could hold onto the chair and learn how to use them. DH set them up where the tension was real light, so it doesn't take a whole lot for me to get out of the peddles. I then took it outside for a quick spin around and did fine.
I have been scared to death of these things. They didn't seem that bad.
We went on a ride this evening and OMG the difference these make climbing the hills was unreal. Maybe it was just me being stoked up, or maybe I was just fresh and ready to go, I don't know but it was great. I climbed one of our smaller hills at 11 mph. which is a huge HUGE difference to me. I stayed in the 2nd gear on the big front ring instead of going down to the smallest and then to the lower gears in the back. I didn't move the gears. It was great. I am sure I will find that some of it was just anticipation and excitement over not falling yet. (notice I say yet so I don't jinx myself) Either way, I had a wonderful ride. I only went about 6 miles but rode at 13.7 mph instead of 11 point something that I usually ride.
The real test for these will be when I go on a longer ride later next week. Or maybe Sunday, (i hope).
Wish me luck girls so I don't fall on my face if we get a chance to ride Sunday.

[kelownagirl]

Congrats DDH! Glad you had such a successful experience and hope you don't fall for ages and ages!!!

barb

[CyclChyk]

YEH!!! Good for you! Just keep that positive attitude and you will do great!

(my first fall was AFTER the first 3 weeks of clipless riding)

[Aggie_Ama]

Congratulations! I love clipless pedals and even being a total klutz didn't deter me. I fell bunches but I am clumsy. If you fall (and hopefully you won't ever) just take a deep breath and get back on.You're becoming a speed demon.

[Bike Goddess]

DDH- just keep reminding yourself about getting out of your pedals when you have to stop. Practice, practice and practice. You'll be fine!

Yes, you've got lots more power now. Just cruise on up those hills. Don't forget to downshift before you get there so you can keep up the spin!

[RoadRaven]

Like you I was hesitant at first... what? you mean your feet are attached to the pedals? Locked in? You must be some kind of f***ing crazeeeee... but then I had a go, cause it seemed to work for others, and I miss them soooo much on the spin bike and on my mountain bike...

Enjoy the power of the cleat...

Ride hard... ride safe...
Rave

[DDH]

I hope I stay just enough unsure of myself with them that I don't get to cocky, forget and not clip out in time. I figure, if I stay just enough afraid of them to keep that from happening, maybe I won't wreck

What do you think? Think it will work? I hope so. I am afraid of falling. I am not a little girl and if I fall, I'm going down hard, and it won't be pretty. LOL

[Lise]

Congrats on going clipless! I love, love, love riding clipped in. What a difference it makes. I truly do feel like a superhero sometimes. I've ridden clipless for three years, and (knock wood) have never fallen. Today I unclipped one foot and hopped my bike up a curb with the other foot still clipped in--whoops! But I got it out with only minor wobbling and no fall. I keep the tension fairly light, and occasionally accidentally unclip. But it works really well most of the time. I'd hate to lose the power the clips give me. Hmmm....is there something I can clip into for swimming?

I have to concentrate when stopping and figure out which foot to unclip. I'll unclip a different side depending on where I am, and how I want to start up again when the light changes. It's a bit scary when the pavement's wet, so I try to ride the hybrid bike with fatter tires in that case. That bike (my Larkspur) also has dual pedals--platform on one side, clip in on the other, so I have the option of not clipping in if it doesn't feel safe.

[Melstar]

Good stuff DDH!

but boohoo to me still a scaredy cat here stuck with good old trusty platform pedals.

[quint41]

I've been clipless for a little more than a month. I haven't fallen yet, and hope not to ever! I came close a couple of times. I'm trying to be consistent -- every time I approach a situation that even remotely might require a stop, I unclip the left foot and move the foot further up the pedal so it doesn't clip back in immediately. That way, if I to need to stop, I'm prepared. I always unclip left and keep the right pedal in the upper position so my weight leans left. Once, though, I accidentally unclipped left and let the right pedal drop to the bottom, and my weight went right - I almost went over! Fortunately, my pedals are also very open and I unclipped just in time to catch the fall. Whew! I figure consistent repetition might save me!!

They are great, aren't they? I'd like to know who invented those things! Smarty pants!

[Bikingmomof3]

Congrats DDH on going clipless! It does make a huge difference, there is so much more power. Enjoy!

[BeeLady]

Congrats DDH on going clipless - Melstar you can do it. I just started about three weeks ago and won't ride now unless I'm clipped in. The hills are so much easier being clipped in.

I haven't fallen yet either and hope not to - at least not because I forget to unclip. I do unclip my left foot well in advance of every upcoming known stop and that seems to work well when Im in heavy traffic, stop lights, etc. If I do it enough hopefully it will become habitual.

Am getting a new Volpe this coming week and will definitly have clipless pedals put on before it leaves the shop.

[DDH]

Melstar if I can do it you can. I have been scared to death to do it and it isn't bad at all. You just have to practice a little to get the knack of and how much force you need to get out. Then take it out and try it for real.
My DH was laughing at me because I was riding around in our driveway and went to unclip and couldn't make up my mind what to do, so I unclipped both and had my legs sprawled out while still rolling trying to figure out what I needed to do next. I am sure it looked really silly!!!

I couldn't believe the difference in the climb with those peddles. I thought it would make a little difference but not like it did. The first hill I climbed was unbelievable. Some of it may have been excitement and because I was fresh, but everytime I have climbed that hill, even when fresh, I have never been going more than about 5 mph or so by the time I got to the middle of it and this time I went 11 mph all the way up.

I can't wait to go out and ride again, but I have to wait a couple of days now.

[li10up]

DDH, Congratulations on going clipless...sounds like some sort of 12-step program... Anyhow, what type of pedals do you have?

[DDH]

pedals have cleats on one side and platforms on the other. I think dh called them spd's. Does that sound right? Guess I need to get a little more knowledgeable. LOL

I haven't been able to ride a couple of days, so can't wait to take my bike out again on a longer ride to see how I do. Got the shoes and cleats rode around 1 day and haven't been able to ride again since. Kinda SuckS!!!!!