Pedals for my new bike!

[millypops82]

My beautiful new bike is on order (along with some Tourtec Guards and a Pannier Rack!) Am stopping myself read anymore comments about "which bike". Is my baby now and I love it!

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/tricross-sport-2009-road-bike-ec016874

So, now more advice needed from my friends at CC.

I have never ever ridden with clip pedals and have images of me falling off and failing to unclip on the approach to the lights, or ever get my foot back in again. The bike comes with neither – so my friendly LBS (have found a way round dealing with Halfords!) have asked which I want fitted.

Should I bite the bullet and just go for the clip pedals now or change them over later if I decide to make the leap of faith? My day commute is only 3k each way, so is not like it is a marathon journey so perhaps flat pedals might be more convenient?

I would have posted a saddle question but think I will trial out the one the bike comes with and if not happy with it, get a Brooks b17. Locks all seem pretty standard, as do lights. Tyres I will no doubt change at some point so that is in the future. Can't quite believe it – but my questions are nearly all answered!

 

[Arch]

I suspect a lot of people will say get clipless pedals. Personally, I'm not one of them - I use them on my recumbent trike, to stop my feet slipping off the vertical pedals, but not on two wheels, and personally don't feel I need them. I have toeclips (the plastic sort without straps) and they do me fine, allowing me to hoik the pedal back up to starting position at lights easily, and keep my foot in place while still able to wiggle about.

It'll depend to some extent what shoes you want to wear. For 3km each way, I don't imagine you'll want to get all togged up in lycra and the full kit, and I reckon clipless pedals* and shoes would be overkill. But if you're also going to take the bike out on longer rides, they might be more useful...

*Confusingly, pedals you clip into are called 'clipless'. 'Clips' refers to the cage, usually with a strap, bolted onto pedals to hold your toe in.

You can get pedals with the clipless mechanism one side, and flat the other, so that you can use either the clipless type shoe, or any shoe. Might be worth having to start with....

 

[Amanda P]

Some Shimano clipless pedals come with or can be fitted with this cunning platform adapter, with built-in reflectors.

With this fitted, you can ride the pedal on one side like a regular, non-clippy pedal, or flip it over and clip in on the other side (if you're feeling brave, or you're out in the sticks). When you're happy with clipping in, you can remove them altogether. But you can always put them back on when you want to ride to the pub in your trainers.

 

[ianrauk]

First off, congrats on getting the Tricross, it really is a lovely bike.

As to pedals, I am one of those that would say go for it.
Try them out, takes a little practice but it soon comes natural.
I jumped in with both feet (excuse the pun) couple years back, it's now at the point where I simply find riding a bike with flats quite unusual and hard work.

As to the sadle, Specialized saddles are usually pretty good, but as saddles can be and are a personaly thing. So see how you get on with it for a month, you will then soon know if you need something different.

 

[l4dva]

Congrats on ur new purchase I have one of them too and love it!!

I went for the clipless pedals after a few weeks of using the normal ones that came with it. They are well worth it!! esp on the longer rides. I was a bit un sure at first but I guess untill you try them yourself you won't really see the benefits.

I also had to change my saddle, the standard one that came with it i found too uncomfortable,and replaced with a specialized one and not had a single problem since! This was only because I needed a larger size, you may find the saddle that comes with the bike is fine.

Happy peddaling!

 

[PC_Arcade]

Both?

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=756&categoryId=81

 

[Arch]

Both?

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=756&categoryId=81

That's the sort of thing I meant....

 

[Sittingduck]

If I may offer a suggestion...

Get a set of cheap platform pedals first. Then when you get used to your bike and get into cycling (I predict you will, within a couple of months) go and get a set of Shimano M520's & some comfortable SPD shoes. You won't want to revert back once you have sampled clipless. Might be a plan to gain some confidence first with the flatties B)

Regards,
SD

 

[l4dva]

If I may offer a suggestion...

Get a set of cheap platform pedals first. Then when you get used to your bike and get into cycling (I predict you will, within a couple of months) go and get a set of Shimano M520's & some comfortable SPD shoes. You won't want to revert back once you have sampled clipless. Might be a plan to gain some confidence first with the flatties B)

Regards,
SD

+1 these are the pedals I have, £20 from merlin cycles brilliant value!

You coud get the reflectors that were mentioned above which can make one side flat so u can use normal shoes, save you buying two sets of pedals that way....once ur fuly converted to clipless you can get rid of the reflector platform and stick with SPD on both sides

 

[Sittingduck]

I have a spare set of the M520 reflector platforms if you want 'em... ther're yours!

 

[marinyork]

I'd do what sittingduck said. For the sake of money as much as anything else I'd say the M324s (which I own) are a waste of time.

 

[wilko]

I have recently bought a Specialized Sirrus Sport and found myself in a similar position, not knowing whether to go clipless or not. In the end I bought some DMR V8 pedals. Not really for road use, but you get lots of grip and until I am confident enough to go clipless then these suit me fine.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products...oogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=froogle

 

[karen.488walker]

I'm new to clipless and fell off for the 2nd time today, too low a gear and not enough momentum starting but it doesn't hurt. When you fall over because you're not used to clipless it's not like a big fall just a topple over. I'm a right wuss but I wouldn't worry about it and go for the cover which allows you both options. Although I do find the shimano one a bit slippy. There was another one rec. on another thread soemwhere..

 

[barongreenback]

I have recently bought a Specialized Sirrus Sport and found myself in a similar position, not knowing whether to go clipless or not. In the end I bought some DMR V8 pedals. Not really for road use, but you get lots of grip and until I am confident enough to go clipless then these suit me fine.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products...oogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=froogle

Same bike for me and i went with the Shimano M520 - I think they're brilliant and I wouldn't go back to traditional pedals. They especially suit my massive size 14 feet.

 

[oscarplu]

I went clipless today for the first time....HOOrah.. Been thinking about it for a while,and its amazing, so much more comfortable, and surprisingly quick to get use to clipping in and out, wish id have done it years ago( will probably speak too soon and have a tumble or two tho)!!!! I bought the shimano M520's for £20, found them easy to fit and some specialized TAHO MTB Shoes, and they really are comfy even for my big extra wide size 11 feet!!!!