Newbie. Fear of clips and special pedals

[RhythMick]

Considering buying my first proper bike soon. The question of pedals will come up, but tbh I can't get my head around the idea of 'binding ' my feet into the pedals using either toe clips or special pedals.

How do I get over that fear and is it worth it?

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[snorri]

I don't know what you mean by "proper bike", but I find strapless clips like these adequate to keep my feet in place.....

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_566803_langId_-1_categoryId_165566



Unless you have a competitive streak there is no need to bind your feet to the pedals.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

If you run clips and straps you can run them slightly loose so you can easily get feet in and out.

 

[Bman]

Its just like riding a bike

 

[Evil Rabbit]

Yes it is worth it. Start off with toe clips like the ones already posted and when you are comfortable and 'get' the advantage of fastening feet/shoes to pedals move on to clip-ins.

 

[RhythMick]

@Bongman... lol

Thanks all. I'll have a chat to the guys at Planet X today. Just hate the idea of needing to stop in a hurry and my feet being stuck.

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[captainhastings]

I found them great but a nightmare the constant worry on back roads and at junctions detracted from the enjoyment. I came off 3 times in as many weeks and now my bike is no longer scratch free. I am now back on flats and an old pair of trail running shoes so the fun is back into my cycling.
That said i do miss the feeling of being able too push pull as hard as I like on the peddles and I am sure I am slightly slower now. For some reason with trainers it is easy to stop pressing down so hard with out noticing. So I am sure I will try them again some time but for me they are very hard work also maybe a bit dangerous if you fall out into the road on a single lane back road if your giving way too an on coming vehicle that would not be good

 

[vickster]

I was the same but I have gone part clipless as I got a road bike, having ridden around perfectly happily without for 3+ years. If you are that concerned, and if I recall you will be riding with family on paths/trails where presumably there will be lots of other people, I wouldn't bother - too much of a pain to clip in and out every 2 minutes and too much risk of a tumble. , especially on rough, gravelly, slippery surfaces. Also, you won't be going that fast to actually get any benefit and decent shoes and pedals will cost around £75-100.

If out on the road and looking for speed and efficiency, it's a different matter. Now if I can manage it and not go arse over tit, then frankly anyone can. I just keep the tension very loose and clip out early, sometimes too early as I end up having to move myself along the road using my loose foot Flintstones-stylee

It seems to make sense on a road bike and the little pedals I have look aesthetically better than big platforms but on a hybrid, it doesn't seem to matter. I have the pedal/SPD 2 sided pedals on my Sirrus but they are a bit of a pain as they never seem to be the right way round whichever pair of shoes I am wearing

 

[sheddy]

Don't bother. When you feel comfy with the new bike, pop something like these on and ride without the straps.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/mks-chromed-steel-toe-clips-prod7915/

 

[Tyke]

SPD's set loose don't take long to get used to and are very easy to clip in and out. I use double sided but you can get one sided with a flat on the other if you want to use normal shoes regularly. Well worth the effort to learn.

 

[Simba]

I took to clipless as soon as I got my roadie. I had 2 clipless moments in 2 days and 1 a week later. Since then using the pedals is second nature to me.

 

[dellzeqq]

do it with a friend. As in, go to a quiet path or road, with a few hundred metres of flat or slight downhill, and have an experienced cyclist with you to give you a bit of confidence and (this sounds daft, but....) tell you when to unclip.

Make sure the pedals are clean, and that the spring is lubricated. Start by clipping in and out half a dozen times with your non-standing foot while stationary. You might ask your friend to loosen the pedal a bit if this proves difficult. Then push off with your non-standing foot clipped in, go for twenty metres or so without clipping in your standing foot, turn the pedals a couple of times and then come gently to a halt - unclipping the non-standing foot. Do this half a dozen times. Re-assure yourself that your standing foot has not accidentally clipped in by moving it clear of the pedal before you come to a stop.

The big one - push off with your non-standing foot clipped in, attempt to clip in your standing foot. Don't panic if you can't find the clip first time - just come to a stop, moving your standing foot clear of the pedal before you come to a halt. When you succeed in clipping your standing foot in, unclip again after a couple of turns, move your standing foot clear of the pedal and come to a stop. Do this another half a dozen times. After a couple of goes, leave the non-standing foot in the pedal for a bit, just as you would if you were at a traffic light.

Try the length of your street or path, but have your friend follow you and tell you to 'unclip' thirty metres or so shy of the end. That gives you a little bit of a comfort zone - again, move your standing foot clear of the pedal to give yourself that bit of re-assurance. Once you think you've got the knack, you can take to the road...

But have someone behind you when you make your first (and, perhaps, second and third) trip on the road - to shout 'unclip' as you approach a stop. Again, this sounds silly, but it helps.

That's how the love of my life started her clipless career, and she's never had a clipless moment. Not one.

 

[vickster]

My LBS told me to practice in the living room - 50 times each foot, leaning against the wall. Unclipping early is helpful under normal conditions, but when some muppet motorist does an emergency stop or pulls out, you need to adapt. The best thing is not to panic, easier said than done sometimes. I still don't see the point if riding in heavy traffic or off road, so I just wear trainers, only if riding at speed on open roads. May be different if you live in the sticks - there is always traffic around these parts

 

[Melonfish]

I've recently gone clipless and i find it excellent!
i picked up the Shimano M324 pedals:

As you can see they are double sided, clip on one side and flat pedal on the other, this means you can use them as regular pedals when you don't feel like having to clip in and out all the time.
really rather good entry level clipless.

 

[davefb]

I've recently gone clipless and i find it excellent!
i picked up the Shimano M324 pedals:

As you can see they are double sided, clip on one side and flat pedal on the other, this means you can use them as regular pedals when you don't feel like having to clip in and out all the time.
really rather good entry level clipless.

+1 for the 324's


(and you'll notice you can stick yer reflectors on as well )