Road Cycling - Finally got my road bike! but damn those LOOK pedals

It has finally happened!

I got my road bike. It's a Devinci Chicane. And I also got lots of accessories with it. The whole thing came to $1500 Canadian! Not a bad price actually.

I took it for a ride around the campus and I was surprised how much attention I was getting from people. Everywhere I went people were eyeing it and asking how it weighs and stuff like that.

But most importantly I was surprised at the speed! Damn, I never thought any human powered utility could have such acceleration. You gotta understand I have ridden only mountain bikes. I simply can't express this new feeling.

When I took it home and put on my shimano shoes... well, let's just say my first experience with LOOK pedals wasn't as good. I fell at least five times. For some reason my LBS had set the clip tension to medium while it should be set at minimum for beginers.

So I fell and fell. But I have gotten used to it now. I just hope I haven't damanged anything. Please tell me I didn't! Any tips from your own expereince with look pedals is appreticated.

Anyways, maybe I'll post pictures later.

Amir... everyone falls when they first get clipless pedals.

I've been using clipless pedals for a decade at least. I recently got a new set of Looks -- the PP396 model with adjustable float. Since I also just got a new pair of shoes, and consequently new cleats, I didn't have my cleat fit just right. "no problem," I thought, "these cool pedals have adjustable float! I'll just open the float up as far as I can [9 degress] until I can disl-in my cleats." Unfortunately, more float equals more rotation required to disengage... So there I am on day, coming back from a ride, slowing to a stop at an intersection near my home... As I come to a stop, I try to clip out... and try... and try... and fall over sideways.

It was actually pretty funny, and I laughing maniacally by the time I hit 45 degrees.

Happens to everyone.

Some day, I'll tell you about Eric the Human Scab and how the first generation of Time pedals contributed to his nickname.

Yeah... roadbikes are special aren't they? You suddenly feel like a recer...

Congartulations.

i was riding yesterday with no hands because i was drinking water and a big gust of wind came across and blew me over... doh.

Whew, that's good to know Velo :)

Also I want to thank you for the advice you gave me on the bike. It is one of the best purchases I have ever made.

I blew 45K today and I'm getting a better hang of everything. I hope this love/hate relationship with the LOOK pedals will come to an end soon.

I now remember well to twist my heel fast and anticipate stops, but I'm scared that at the time of an emergency my brain might not send the "twist" command fast enough to my heels.

For instance, on today's ride I fell off twice. Once was when I was trying to cut through the street and this woman driving sees me 30 meters away. I slow down so that I can go after she passes. Then I think she decides to slow down and let me pass instead. So I waited and slowed even more and when I realized that she is also slowing it was way too late....

"crap crap! the foot's not coming off" *thud*

The second time was at a rather busy intersection. I was 30 meters away, saw the green light. I was going at 35kph, thinking I could make it easy. Then it turns yellow, I was about 10 meters off, still though I could make. But when I got to the interstction it got red! I slam the brakes, and notice my bike slidding. Out of instinct I wanted to use my right foot to prevent wiping out, but the foot wasn't coming off. *thud*. There I was on the ground with enough pedestrains and drivers around to feel really embarassed.

But what an adventure! :D

Ahhhh...the first Road bike...truly an amazing experience.
When I started using my first clipless pedals I fell a lot too. It's just weird getting used to it, because they feel so unsafe/insecure, I was always afraid of getting side swiped by a car, and not being able to get my shoes/cleats off the pedals in time.

The best thing to do is to take your bike in between a door frame, and sit on it practicing putting you shoes into place on the clipless pedal. I tried that and I eventually got use to the pedals.

Yeah, its a terrible feeling of slowing falling to the side, being totally helpless - like stated above, all you can do is laugh as if your going insane. Not really a feeling to describe the helpless feeling- just brace for the impact.

ahh good ol balancing skills. helped me when i bought my first SPD's. I learned how to balance and now i never need to unclip when im riding.

As has been said, everyone falls with new clipless, the first time I fell was in the parking lot of my apartment complex. A woman in a car, passed me, then stopped right in front of me, I stop, fall, and laugh my ass off on the way down and on the ground.:roflmao: , I beleve she thought I was insane. Ah well....

Congrats on the bike - it is a most wonderful feeling rolling by the countryside, climbing the hills....may the wind be at your back, and road free of potholes!

Anastasia

i've been using look pedals for 7-8 years, and 2 years ago i was out for a long ride and it was 90+ degrees. i was coming back, about a mile from home when i needed to come to a stop-----i spaced and forgot i was clipped in. this was after years of use. i just laid there, still clipped in, saying "i don't believe i just did that"

Amir. What you are going through is normal adjustment. Love the clipless pedals. Regular 'cages' cause so much friction on the upstroke. Hate them now. Everyone falls at first, you get used to it, and your feet will later appreciate it. They are actually less restraining than straps. And the acceleration you feel when you pull up on the pedals.. It is great.
I remember first day riding clipless. Felt trapped in the cleats. Going downhill -felt paranoid; I would be stuck in the pedals. Would disengage and let one foot dangle. Seems silly know.
Best to just take that first clipless about an abandoned parking lot, until you get used to them. Glad you had a great ride on you first day on a road bike.

Congrats on the new bike! :fun:

Yep. Everyone who uses clip-less has fallen over at a stop sign. (What was it like in the days of clips and cleats!?) And it only happens if you have several cars behind you, so everyone can get a good laugh at your expense.

Every once in a while I still have a near miss. Like rolling up to a stop and not leaning to the unclipped side enough, so at the last minute the bike starts to fall to the other side and I have to yank your other foot out. By the way, in an emergency, you will get your foot free... even if the shoe stays attached to the pedal. ;)