Rob_K

Just got home with my new Shimano shoes... nothing top of the range mind you. I can't believe the difference. A new level of fun this is. Can't wait to have a decent ride tomorrow morning.

bikinfool

Better late than never! Remember, Murphy's Law says that you will forget you're using them and come to a stop and keel over, naturally it will be in front of the greatest number of people possible...or while you're chatting a girl up on a ride and stall out on a steep section of hill where you were so busy chatting her up you forgot to downshift...

Robert Foster

Just a bit of free advice. Unclip early even if you don't think you will have to come to a complete stop. Other than that it will become second nature in just a few weeks.

Rob_K

Thanks for the advice fellas. I have already experienced Murphy's and even managed to laugh about it. I guess it helps when you land in soft wet grass.

So tell me chaps, how many kph can I expect to pick up when I get used to them? I seem to get the impression I have gained about 4kph just going around the block.

bikinfool

Couldn't tell you, never measured when I made the switch 17 or 18 years ago but I doubt I gained much, if anything; I was using good cleats and clips and it's pretty much the same pedal stroke. Mostly I wasn't measuring much. Hell of a lot easier to get in and out of than a cleat and clip combo, though.

daven1986

I second this, and also add that you should try to always unclip on the same side otherwise you may find yourself leaning over to the clipped in side! It takes a bit of thinking about at first but after a while you'll be fine.

Rob_K

I'm sure I'll have a few spills... I'm really looking forward to building up a few extra muscles and perhaps even eking some performance out and maybe cycling a bit further.

maddmaxx 

Sot wet grass is perfect for an initial membership into Club Tombay......... More lurid details are expected however.. We especially love stories about unclipping one foot and falling to the other side.

Rob_K

Oh yeah and what is "Club Tombay" I presume entry is by broken bone?

jwbnyc

As enjoyable as these stories are.. clipping out Both feet is advisable.

cyclezealot

I'd laugh if having to ride without clip less. Banged up chins, being insecure when standing atop pedals, less energy transfer on the upstroke. Glad you found out what modern technology can accomplish Mr. Rob.

tntyz

You estimate of about 4 kph advantage seems about what I experienced. Plus you'll find the rig much more comfortable on long rides because of the stiff-soled shoes.

Have fun.

BluesDawg

Bombadil will pull out some meaningless study showing statistically that clipless pedals don't do anything to improve performance, but you will probably find, like most of us who use them, that they help you transfer more of your power to the pedals. The biggest difference I notice is on climbs, where the ability to apply power across the bottom of the stroke and possibly some on the upstroke will help you keep your cadence higher. I also notice a big difference when accelerating on a flat section. With clipless pedals I am able to more consistently spin circles rather than jerky rotations with most of the power in the downstroke.

big john

What???? Both feet at a stop light? Don't think I've ever seen anyone do that.

RobK, you have the ugliest avatar and sig line on BF.

Longfemur

I don't know how you can fall because you forget you're using clipless. Even with platform pedals you still have to take your foot off the pedal before you come to stop, don't you? Use clipless pedals that allow tension adjustment, and then back off on the tension. You don't need it.

The minimalist in me likes the thought of traditional quill pedals with a toe clip, but the realist in me prefers to stick with the considerable convenience advantages of the right clipless system.

maddmaxx 

Club Tombay (Tomber in French, or the club of the fallen) memberships are given for falls created by clipless pedals. The typical fall is a 0mph or kph fall caused by forgetting to unclip. One of our other favorites is the already mentioned unclip on one side and fall to the other.

Little injury and maximum humiliation are sure to draw approval.

Club Tombay awaits all those who are sure that they have mastered clipless pedals.....

JohnDThompson 

Is this one of those "been there, done that" anecdotes?

leob1

This is right on the money. Every body I have set up with clipless has said the same thing when we hit the first hill. The response is usually something like "HOLY S***!!!, Why didn't I do this sooner?!?"
If you really want to get the max benefit, take a spinning class. You'll learn to move you feet in "big circles". You'll notice a big difference when out on the road.

Rob_K

Come on now. Value judgements these days!!! Personally, I think my boyish good looks and charm help me pull the sheilas mate.

Retro Grouch 

So can you share with us a picture of the girl?

stapfam

Preferred "Sir Les" but I am afraid he is too much culture for the "Yanks"

Glad you went clipless and glad the first fall was on grass. With practice you will improve the falling but Bonus points are available for pictures- Blood- and Being tended to after the fall by a bunch of off duty nurses.

Hermes

I have and it was a disaster. A guy a couple of hundred feet in front of me who is riding wobbly is approaching a stop sign. He unclips both feet and lets his legs dangle as he comes to a stop. He then falls over.

Hermes

+1 I find the discovery of clipless threads interesting. I purchased biking shoes with cleats in 1979. As soon as clipless came out, I got those for comfort and ease of use. The benefits of having ones foot secure in the pedal has been around for a long time.

Robert Foster

Climbing sir is the biggest advantage in my opinion. I don't climb for spit but at least they help keep my feet planted and what little power I have is put to use. But second piece of advice, remember if you do reach a hill you can't make up without stopping you will have to unclip a lot faster than you do normally. Maybe it is that very fact that has made me a better, while I still am horrid at it, climber. On long climbs I am almost always the last one up.

stapfam

But at least you climb it---So when was the last time you walked a hill?