How did you know you were ready to go clipless?

[beachygal]

The post title really says it all.

I've been "hmmm"ing and "haw"ing for about 6 months; got my road bike in Sept. I already had my first fall after a car door opened in front of me, so I'm not terribly afraid of falling; I know it's a part of cycling. But how do I know if I'm ready? How did you know?

Meanwhile, H decided he wanted clipless last Sat and already went out on his 1st ride clipped in. If only I could make decisions like that!

[jene]

I found a pair of cycling shoes on sale. I took it as a sign from the gods

[kams]

I had clipless pedals put on my first road bike - not much time to decide, just went for it! It was scary at first and I took a few falls. A great idea is to practice in a flat, grassy field. If you have a trainer, you can practice the motion of getting clipped in and out on there as well. It really just takes a few times to get the hang of it, and you'll be so glad you did.

My H went immediately to clipless and has never taken a fall, either! Damn guys!

[joenali]

You just have to do it!

[biomaj5]

I'm waiting to have the money for shoes and pedals, lol. I'd have them now if I could. I bought my bike in Feb.

[Susie]

I bought shoes and was fitted to my bike with clipless pedals already on it. There was no "move" to clipless. I guarantee after you make the move you will wonder why the hell you waited so long.

At the beginning of my 3rd season I went from SPD mountain bike pedals/shoes to new road shoes with 105 pedals. The mountain bike pedals were nice in that my shoes were compatible with the spin bikes at the gym, but on long rides (>30 miles or so) I really prefer the larger surface area of the 105 pedals. Less numbness in my feet.

[sadlebred]

The same day I bought my first real mountain bike and became a lifelong cyclist. There was no question. All of my friends did it and vowed to show me how.

[zoidberg]

I went right to it. I fell once and broke my crotch once, but I adjusted.

[beachygal]

Apr 5, 2014 21:05:45 GMT -5 Susie said:

I bought shoes and was fitted to my bike with clipless pedals already on it. There was no "move" to clipless. I guarantee after you make the move you will wonder why the hell you waited so long.

At the beginning of my 3rd season I went from SPD mountain bike pedals/shoes to new road shoes with 105 pedals. The mountain bike pedals were nice in that my shoes were compatible with the spin bikes at the gym, but on long rides (>30 miles or so) I really prefer the larger surface area of the 105 pedals. Less numbness in my feet.

So my next question was mountain versus road. I was planning on doing mountain so I can use them during spin, but I keep hurting my lower back during spin and am avoiding it altogether. We got a trainer for Christmas so I can just do indoor workouts at home, on my bike, with road shoes.

I'm dropping off my bike for a tune-up this afternoon. And I'm going clipless!

[sadlebred]

Is it for a road bike or mountain bike? If it's for a road bike, get road pedals (there are about a dozen different brands, and they are all different.) If it's for a mountain bike, get mountain bike pedals (same thing. There are about a dozen different brands.) The LBS can help you decide what brand to get based on where and how you ride.

[Susie]

Apr 6, 2014 4:07:11 GMT -5 beachygal said:

Apr 5, 2014 21:05:45 GMT -5 Susie said:

I bought shoes and was fitted to my bike with clipless pedals already on it. There was no "move" to clipless. I guarantee after you make the move you will wonder why the hell you waited so long.

At the beginning of my 3rd season I went from SPD mountain bike pedals/shoes to new road shoes with 105 pedals. The mountain bike pedals were nice in that my shoes were compatible with the spin bikes at the gym, but on long rides (>30 miles or so) I really prefer the larger surface area of the 105 pedals. Less numbness in my feet.

So my next question was mountain versus road. I was planning on doing mountain so I can use them during spin, but I keep hurting my lower back during spin and am avoiding it altogether. We got a trainer for Christmas so I can just do indoor workouts at home, on my bike, with road shoes.

I'm dropping off my bike for a tune-up this afternoon. And I'm going clipless!

Yay!

I would get road shoes, especially since you already have a trainer and therefore don't NEED to be able to use a spin bike.  I actually avoid spin bikes because something always ends up hurting afterwards; they don't fit me as well as my bike does.

[katinthehat]

I just did it. And promptly fell over. Don't forget to keep pedaling!

[sadlebred]

Apr 6, 2014 9:28:21 GMT -5 Susie said:

I would get road shoes, especially since you already have a trainer and therefore don't NEED to be able to use a spin bike.  I actually avoid spin bikes because something always ends up hurting afterwards; they don't fit me as well as my bike does.

*thread hijack*

I thought this only happened to me? Usually it's my knees that hurt.....

[beachygal]

I did it! I did it! I got the shimano 550 clips with Specialized Torch shoes. I got to try them out in the trainer at the store. I'm planning to practice in a parking lot this week, and go for a ride next weekend!

[Susie]

Apr 6, 2014 13:14:53 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

Apr 6, 2014 9:28:21 GMT -5 Susie said:

I would get road shoes, especially since you already have a trainer and therefore don't NEED to be able to use a spin bike.  I actually avoid spin bikes because something always ends up hurting afterwards; they don't fit me as well as my bike does.

*thread hijack*

I thought this only happened to me? Usually it's my knees that hurt.....

Mine too. I also have a friend who complains about her lower back after spinning. Bike + trainer all the way for me!

[patches31709]

Apr 6, 2014 10:29:58 GMT -5 katinthehat said:

I just did it. And promptly fell over. Don't forget to keep pedaling!

This! I had my DH try and hold me in our yard. I fell. A lot. But the grass makes it a little easier to balance, and I got the hang of it in a few days. It's second nature now. 

[shorewife]

I just got new shoes and clips with my new bike and they clip in differently so I'm stuggling a bit. On the straight and flat I just keep taking my foot in and out to get the hang of the new feel.