Clipless succeeds! Yay!
04-09-06, 09:19 PM
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Hwy 40 Blue
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Clipless succeeds! Yay!
Awhile back, I posted "should I give clipless another try." I had really made an honest effort, and failed. I kept falling over, a big embarrassment because I am fit and, I like to think, pretty nimble at 52. The darn things just didn't work for me. I went back to platform pedals.
Well, I'm training for my first century, in May, and I have been going to some spin classes lately at the rec center. I've been clipping in there. I'm certainly not falling over on the spin bikes! (If I were, I'd better take up bowling, not to disparage you bowlers out there.) I started to get kind of used to clipping in on the spin bike.
You know where this is going. I did some more research on what was workable for average people, not Lance, and I ended up buying some basic Egg Beater pedals and new shoes that fit much better than the first ones.
This morning I went down early to meet my riding friend, and spent twenty minutes or so messing about with the Egg Beaters, clipping in and out, stopping and starting. And then we went on an 18-mile ride, and it was fantastic! I didn't fall even once. I clipped in and out many times, and it was easy. I rode with confidence. I rode with atttude -- I AM CLIPPED IN! But mainly, the bike just felt better and I felt more power under my feet. More connected overall to the bike. This has got to help my century.
If you are thinking of trying it, and haven't, I'd now recommend spinning for awhile being clipped in, where you can't fall. Get the feel of it. And make sure your cleats are properly adjusted for an easy in-and-out.
This worked for me.
Well, I'm training for my first century, in May, and I have been going to some spin classes lately at the rec center. I've been clipping in there. I'm certainly not falling over on the spin bikes! (If I were, I'd better take up bowling, not to disparage you bowlers out there.) I started to get kind of used to clipping in on the spin bike.
You know where this is going. I did some more research on what was workable for average people, not Lance, and I ended up buying some basic Egg Beater pedals and new shoes that fit much better than the first ones.
This morning I went down early to meet my riding friend, and spent twenty minutes or so messing about with the Egg Beaters, clipping in and out, stopping and starting. And then we went on an 18-mile ride, and it was fantastic! I didn't fall even once. I clipped in and out many times, and it was easy. I rode with confidence. I rode with atttude -- I AM CLIPPED IN! But mainly, the bike just felt better and I felt more power under my feet. More connected overall to the bike. This has got to help my century.
If you are thinking of trying it, and haven't, I'd now recommend spinning for awhile being clipped in, where you can't fall. Get the feel of it. And make sure your cleats are properly adjusted for an easy in-and-out.
This worked for me.
04-10-06, 05:14 AM
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Congrats on your success.
Don't know what pedals and cleats you were using, but I have Eggbeaters on my commuter bike. Great for clipping in and out quickly because of traffic.
I like them so well I retired the Look pedals on my road bike for Crank Brothers Quattro pedals. Just like Eggbeaters but made for road bikes (Eggbeaters were originally intended for mountain and cyclocross bikes).
Don't know what pedals and cleats you were using, but I have Eggbeaters on my commuter bike. Great for clipping in and out quickly because of traffic.
I like them so well I retired the Look pedals on my road bike for Crank Brothers Quattro pedals. Just like Eggbeaters but made for road bikes (Eggbeaters were originally intended for mountain and cyclocross bikes).
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04-10-06, 06:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Hwy 40 Blue
I have been going to some spin classes lately at the rec center. I've been clipping in there. I'm certainly not falling over on the spin bikes! (If I were, I'd better take up bowling, not to disparage you bowlers out there.)
Glad they're working for you!
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04-10-06, 07:59 AM
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I am so glad they work for you.
It seems we all have different timetable and experiences on clipless. I went into them directly at age 59 with no practice, fell twice, and in seven years have never had a bit of trouble.
My point being that for some, spinning classes may be a good idea, for others, they may not be necessary.
It seems we all have different timetable and experiences on clipless. I went into them directly at age 59 with no practice, fell twice, and in seven years have never had a bit of trouble.
My point being that for some, spinning classes may be a good idea, for others, they may not be necessary.
