Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Going clipless tomorrow!

Hey all, just thought I would let ya'll know that I am going clipless! I brought the LeMond into the LBS on Monday to get the real wheel re-laced with DT spokes (yay!) and ended up with two new tires, 4 tubes, shoes and pedals. I know that they are Shimano shoes and that they have a buckle and two Velcro straps and the pedals I believe are Ultergra (don't hold me too it I didn't really take a good look at them!). So tomorrow around noon I am rushing over to the LBS (Idle Times in Eastham) for those of you Cape Codders who may be looking for a year round store! (only collection of store open on the cape all two (or three) of their shops!).

I am so excited! Now I can't wait for the weather to get better! It currently is snowing/sleeting here on cape cod we have about an inch or so of ICE! Yikes! (nothing new though, just a pain!) Anyways, tomorrow is supposed to rain and be around 18 F (Forecast should probably say snow since it's below 32!) So who know what tomorrow will be like. I might go out for a quick ride down the road a ways to the beach just to test out the new wheel and pedal/shoes. I will also have to give my new bib shorts and tights a try to see how they work! At least next week is supposed to hit 40!

P.S: Tom have you figured out what clipless system you are going to go with?

You will like the clipless setup. I waited a few months before I bought them, and after I made the switch I was wondering why it took me so long to make the switch.

Have fun, and practice clipping in and out. Remember to clip out early, so you don't fall down at stops.

I'd been clipless for many years prior to my absence from cycling, and since I've reclaimed my cycling mojo, I've been clipless again ever since.

Personally, dual sided mtb spd pedals are what I have on my bikes currently. I've ridden with looks in the past trying to keep up the "roadie image". Shimano's road pedals, if I recall correctly are single sided entry. This can be a real pain to deal with if you're clipping, unclipping alot. The same "flaw" is also with the look systems, single sided entry.

I'd recommend either a dual sided spd mtb pedal system, or crank brothers (which is 4 sided entry) for clipless systems. I haven't used crank brothers pedals myself, but know of those who swear by them, and honestly, if I didn't have to convert 3 bikes to new pedals if I decided I loved them, I'd switch to them as well, seems like a better system overall.

For those with knee problems, I've heard good things about speedplay frogs as well, but again haven't used them. The cleats can be hard to come by if you need them in a hurry (i knew someone who had their cleats fail in mid tour, and had to have them overnighted at considerable expense to continue on).

I'm not putting down any particular clipless system, these have just been my experiences. A must with any clipless system is to really get used to clipping in an out. Spend some time on that trainer gathering dust, just practicing riding a bit, clip in, clip out, and so on. More than likely, you'll still have a "timber" moment on the road, as you try to lift your foot off the pedal and it won't let go. It's ok, a lot of people have been there.

PS: while I may be a self defined retro-grouch, liking things like friction shifting, downtube shifters, etc., clipless pedals are the one "modern" bike technology that I find hard to live without.

thanks for the replies all! I am so excited I just can't wait to get my bike back tomorrow and go for a bit of a test ride! I am so excited to finally have clipless pedals! I have "slipped" my foot off of platforms for way to long (the stories I could tell). I was first thinking about getting the crankbro pedals but ended up buying these pedals on a whim. I didn't have a chance to try them at the LBS so I am hoping that they work fairly well. At first I was worried about float and all that since my knee injury. But a few weeks ago I tried the crankbros at the LBS and they didn't feel right. I was going to go with the time RXSs but decided against since I have heard that the front "clip" piece tends to break.


Anyways ways I am excited for tomorrow! Getting used to the whole attached to the bike bit will be a bit nerve racking at first but I am sure I will get over it! I can't wait to move up to NH since here on the cape the roads are more or less not good for riding way too much traffic in the summer and too much salt and sand in the winter! At least they don't sand the MUP!

So I will have to remember to clip out before I get to the thousands (exaggeration!) of crossings on the MUP!

Good luck - don't forget to practice clipping/un-clipping (10 times each foot) while holding a fixed object. It won't prevent the slow an embarassing fall when stationary but should minimise how many times it happens.

Yeppers, I'm going with Crank Brothers Egg Beaters. I have them and the cleats and will be getting the shoes soon. Right now, it's a tossup between Specialized or the Sidi.

Both come in the necessary gunboat size I need. :D I am going with Mountain shoes though, since they are better for touring than road shoes.


Hey all, just thought I would let ya'll know that I am going clipless! I brought the LeMond into the LBS on Monday to get the real wheel re-laced with DT spokes (yay!) and ended up with two new tires, 4 tubes, shoes and pedals. I know that they are Shimano shoes and that they have a buckle and two Velcro straps and the pedals I believe are Ultergra (don't hold me too it I didn't really take a good look at them!). So tomorrow around noon I am rushing over to the LBS (Idle Times in Eastham) for those of you Cape Codders who may be looking for a year round store! (only collection of store open on the cape all two (or three) of their shops!).

I am so excited! Now I can't wait for the weather to get better! It currently is snowing/sleeting here on cape cod we have about an inch or so of ICE! Yikes! (nothing new though, just a pain!) Anyways, tomorrow is supposed to rain and be around 18 F (Forecast should probably say snow since it's below 32!) So who know what tomorrow will be like. I might go out for a quick ride down the road a ways to the beach just to test out the new wheel and pedal/shoes. I will also have to give my new bib shorts and tights a try to see how they work! At least next week is supposed to hit 40!

P.S: Tom have you figured out what clipless system you are going to go with?

Yeppers, I'm going with Crank Brothers Egg Beaters. I have them and the cleats and will be getting the shoes soon. Right now, it's a tossup between Specialized or the Sidi.

Both come in the necessary gunboat size I need. :D I am going with Mountain shoes though, since they are better for touring than road shoes.


You might want to watch out for the extra tread on some mountain shoes can make it more difficult to unclip.

I added shims and also trimmed my Specialized MTB shoes' tread -- which I also use for road -- with a sharp knife to nip back the offending parts of the tread, away from the business part of my Crank Bros Quattros and Mallet-Cs.

That's the reason I went with Egg Beaters. I'll be gettng used to them on the trainer, by the way.


You might want to watch out for the extra tread on some mountain shoes can make it more difficult to unclip.

I added shims and also trimmed my Specialized MTB shoes' tread -- which I also use for road -- with a sharp knife to nip back the offending parts of the tread, away from the business part of my Crank Bros Quattros and Mallet-Cs.

If you have the money, get Sidi. I like my Specialized shoes (and the money I saved) but they aren't as comfortable on longer rides.

I used to ride old Look pedals in the 80s, and used toe clips for a while when I got back into cycling again a few years ago. When I went clipless, I started out by setting up my bike on my stationary trainer, so that I could adjust the release tension, and get used to clipping in and out of the pedals.

I guess that I should mention that I never could ride clipless off-road. I fell down too often, and prefer to ride with really loose toe-clip straps, so that I can slam my foot down when I need to (I don't have great balance or off-road technique).

Have fun out there!

Hey all, thanks for the reply! I woke up today and found that we have about 2 inches of ice on all the surfaces around, it is currently 10:55 AM here and it's cloudy and there is snow flying in all directions! I am due at the bike shop around noon time to get my bike. Guess I won't be riding it today! Wish I had a trainer to at least get some miles in. Monday and Sunday are due to be fairly nice. Hopefully I can get a chance to go out for a ride then!

Tom-Glad to hear you have a pedal system!

I just went with Crank Bros Candy SL's for my Bent, Clyde Bike and the New 08 Paragon. I had been using SPD compatible pedals by Shimano or Wellgo. After swapping in the Candy SL's I could not believe how nice an entry and release they have. It's not just because they are new either, their design makes a difference. So much smoother, I was so surprised!

Good Luck with YOUR new pedals!

Chris

Tell the ground "hi" for me when you meet it.

Hey all, got back from the LBS some time ago. Ended up talking with the owner about a lot of things. Anyways, he was telling me how the brake pads on the read brake were bad and he wanted to know if I wanted to change them out. I proceeded to say sure and he said ok and threw on a new pair for free! (small peanuts I know but hey it's still cool!). While looking at the bike I saw that is was cleaned! The owner had taken the time to clean the frame as well as the chain and also adjusted the front derailer (how I spell it) and the cable tension on the rear brake, all for free! I though wow! I love that LBS! Glad I found it! (called around to find a place open here in the winter, he was the only one). So I get the bike home and still had to adjust the rear brake (no biggie) Ever since I got the bike I have had a problem with brake rub, the brakes are good now and hopefully will stay that way for a while. Anyways all in all it was a great experience with the LBS. Owner was very nice and went out of his way to help me out! I go to walk out the door and he helps me bring the bike, and wheels and shoes to the car. (no bike rack so the wheels come off and it goes in the trunk). Nice I though, helping me bring all this stuff to the car. He then proceeded to say thanks for the "off-season" business and we exchanged a hand shake. Nice I though, most of the LBS's around here wouldn't ever do that!

So, the bike is home and the shoes and pedals look good! (pics coming soon, need to charge the digital!) I didn't get a chance to try out the pedals as I do not have a trainer and the roads here (except for the main road) coved with ice and snow. I would ride on the main road but even that isn't cleared all that well (I wish they plowed the MUP!). Hopefully I will get a chance to try them out tomorrow (if the snow melts (unlikely) or the roads get cleared!)

Nice I though, helping me bring all this stuff to the car. He then proceeded to say thanks for the "off-season" business and we exchanged a hand shake. Nice I though, most of the LBS's around here wouldn't ever do that!

This is a smart LBS, by going beyond the call of duty in the off season, when you need an LBS in the future, who you gonna go to first????? Exactly.:D

"This is a smart LBS, by going beyond the call of duty in the off season, when you need an LBS in the future, who you gonna go to first????? Exactly:D" -Yep pretty much!

Ok ya'll here are the pics I promised!

Shimano 105 Pedals!

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/chainzawz/CIMG0006.jpg

Shoes!

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/chainzawz/CIMG0013.jpg

Cleats and the Fiberglass Sole!

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/chainzawz/CIMG0014.jpg

That's a nice LBS. I had to get rid of my Ultegra pedals, they were killing my feet. I went back to Look and went with the KEO's. No more foot problems.

Hey all, just got back from my first ride on clipless. I didn't fall down! It was a little hard getting used to being attached" to the bike but nothing I can't handle. Those shoes felt great and I could definitely feel the power going right into the bike! Road conditions were more that bad, they were terrible! Black-ice everywhere and regular ice all over the place! Didn't fall down but I had a few "almost" incidents!

All in all, I am very happy!

Happy riding to all!

Great news! Word of advise, if you have to slow for any reason, dog, cat, squirrel, stop sign, car, traffic, unclip one shoe. Squirrels are especially stupid and like to run thru the spokes.

I went over a year before I fell the first time.

I was riding down the road and needed to make a left turn. I was slowing for a oncoming car to pass and signaling a left turn for the 3 cars behind me when the oncoming driver stopped in the roadway and motioned me across. Just as I crossed the center line, he started moving forward! So I hit the brakes and being leaned into the turn could not unclip and down I went in the middle of the road. The cars behind me and this idiot were all looking at me like I was drunk or something!

Lesson learned. I accept no favors from drivers. Now I stop in the lane and make the cars pass or wait just like I was in my car.