Does anyone cycle AND use shoe clips?

[Writer]

My husband insists that I use them. I have them on my road but I simply cannot get used to them. I finked out of a ride today because I was so nervous.

Any hints/tips on getting used to them?

[maveric]

1. I took mine off.

Felt too restrained and limited as to how I could place and move my feet.

[Writer]

2. What do you use now?

[maveric]

6. Forté ATB Comp Pedal

http://performancebike16.reachlocal.com/coupon/?scid=150932&cid=28389&tc=06081310073063800&kw=936261&dynamic_proxy=0&primary_serv=performancebike16
I like to be able to remove my foot from the pedal

[Writer]

7. Nice...

that's where I shop, too.

Maybe I can request that we refit the bike with toe cages - for the time being. I've been riding a mountain for recreational riding and I'm even getting used to the position of the road bike. x(

[LostinVA]

3. They take HUGE amount of practice to get used to them

Do NOT ride with them until you are totally comfortable, and can lock/unlock without thinking.

Clip in and out of them a thousand times while you're watching TV to get the movement into your muscle memory. Ride the bike around a thousand times on grass clipping in and out so you can fall on something soft(ish).

When you get used to them, they are great. But the learning curve is steep.

[Writer]

4. Thanks!

:hi:

[LostinVA]

5. No worries!

No one t9old me that, and the first time I used them, I went 30 feet in the parking lot, fell, and wound up in the ER with a split open leg and messed up knee.

[Writer]

8. I also fell my first time out - no sense of balance...

I have managed to do short rides in the clips but I feel so out of control with having my foot attached to the pedal that long rides are a nerveracking idea... especially here in CO where you will inevitably encounter large hills.

[LostinVA]

9. The clips will help LOADS with hills

After you're used to them.

[Writer]

10. That's what I hear...

My husband and I spoke about this and I'm going to regress to flat pedals until I get used to the road bike position (I've been using a mountain bike for some time now.) Then I'll likely upgrade again.

[astral]

14. My idea of the reason for shoe clips was

that they are handy for racer-type people, who can use their foot to LIFT the peddle as well as PUSH DOWN on the peddle, and they serve no purpose for the normal bike rider as far as safety goes.

As I see in this thread, they can be quite dangerous! I had them on a bike I bought once and I had to replace them with regular peddles before I'd even use the bike once. (I couldn't just use the peddles with the bike clips upside down underneath because they'd hit the pavement.)

[GoneOffShore]

17. Have to disagree

I started using clipless at age 50. Did a 35 mile ride the first time out on my Fuji road bike and had never used clipless before. Ritchey Logic pedals and Nashbar shoes. Didn't fall once.

Click in, pedal, and when you're coming up to a stop you click one foot out. I've only fallen twice in 8 years with the clipless and that was because I was riding, chatting, came up to a stop and didn't click out - that was just dumb.

Toe clips on my mountain bike, and I hate them.

Once you ride clipless you never want to go back to flats - there is no sense of connection to the bike.

[sbj405]

11. I recommend these pedals for beginners

http://www.crankbrothers.com/eggbeater_c.php

Very easy to clip in since there are 4 options. I got them on a great sale a bikenashbar.com.

[flvegan]

12. I took my clipless pedals off my Sugar

before she was even out of the store. Platforms work best for me. Though I like the cages in the woods (protects the toes when you misjudge the height of the stump).

[Monk06]

13. I recommend these. Wellgo platform clipless one side. You can use

them with cleated shoes or regular runners.

Cheap and well made with sealed bearings

http://store.bicyclerevolution.com/welmounclipp.html

[seemunkee]

15. Have them on my road bike

I put them on my road bike a few years ago and have only fallen once when I couldn't get out of them fast enough when I hit some sand.
I just use toe clips on my fixed gear though. If I start doing longer rides on it I may switch over for it too.

[underpants]

16. You'll get used to them

practice with them a lot you know sort of like when you were learning to ride bike

:evilgrin:

I don't have them because my bike is so old that it isn't worth it but all my mountain bike buddies have them. They are second nature to them at this point.

[bikebloke]

18. Never

And I've been riding pretty much every day year around for years. And I've certainly passed enough riders clipped on. Plus most spills can be prevented by reflexively kicking out a foot or stepping out of the fall.

[SacredCow]

19. They shouldn't be taking much effort to use....

Some are easier to use than others, but it shouldn't take very long for it to become second nature to you. I'm wondering if you're using the Shimano or Shimano-licensed design, which I've found to be one of the more difficult kinds to use.

I would highly recommend Speedplay pedals- I've found these (both the road and mountain versions) to be the easiest entry and exit pedals on the market. I hear the eggbeaters are also easy, but I've not used them so I can't attest.

Of course, your comfort is the most important thing- If you don't like them, then take 'em off and use the platforms! All those BMX riders can't be wrong! :-)