Would love advice on which pedals. My hubby changed my regular ones to the ones with straps - but I really don't like them. I'm leaning towards the shoes with the cleats (is that what they're called when the shoe fits into something on the bike pedal?). He's afraid I'm going to suck at getting in and out of them... What do you use and love and why? D.
I just got a new giant and it came with peddles that require you click your bike shoes in the peddle. It's my first time with them and of course the first time out on the new bike when I had to stop I FELL. All I can say practice practice practice and in the end the clipless shoes are great.
-- Edited by broadway29 on Thursday 16th of April 2009 04:09:12 PM
I have pedals like that. I only fell once and that was at the velodrome in a 3000m time trial, lactic acid from the waist down. They are the ones where you twist your foot sideways to get out and it's pretty easy. Get your bike up against a fence so you can hold on and just practice clipping and unclipping. It should be way easier on a road bike than a track bike - you can't coast on a track bike !!
I am using the pedals with straps and my regular running shoes this time because my racing shoes aren't comfortable enough for 130 km x 2, they are meant for track sprints.
If you do get clipless pedals, make sure the shoes are comfy and the pedals are well adjusted, to protect your feet and knees.
Sometimes it is actually better to stay clipped in on the way down.
I took a minor spill yesterday at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, there was a major crosswind and I took what was probably a 50km/h gust straight from the side. It basically flipped my bike over on its side, but because I stayed clipped in (no protruding hands or feet) I only scratched my knee and my elbow.
If I had unclipped I still wouldn't have stayed up, the wind was too strong, and all I would have done is risk breaking something.
BTW I weigh 106 pounds soaking wet. Heavier people don't usually get tossed around by a stiff breeze...
yikes - that's no fun! Well I don't weigh 106 lbs soaking wet (try twice that) and coming across the ice bridge yesterday afternoon I was sure feeling that side wind! Yikes!!! Glad to hear you didn't get hurt!
