teresamichele

I had to post this because I figured you all would understand!

I've been riding since early May - an old Giant Boulder Mountain Bike that weighs about 235343 pounds (give or take). It's sturdy, though, and since I'm upwards of 250 lbs, I like it because I don't feel like I'll break it.

I did a triathlon on it last weekend using platform pedals - as I have all summer. Once I got back to town, though, a friend told me he had some pedals with toe clips I could have. He has two road bikes he has outfitted for racing, and was going to turn one into a commuter and changed his mind.

I had the LBS put the new pedals on the bike on Friday and finally took it out today for a ride to the grocery store about a mile away.

OH MY GOODNESS! I felt SO much faster...when I wasn't about to fall off the bike. Apparently, it takes some getting used to in order to be able to get your feet into those things, and once they slip out, it's hard to get them back in.

I'm taking the bike for a good ride tomorrow after work and I'll use the MapMyRide app to track if I really am faster, and I think the pedals will work better when I don't have to keep stopping and starting at stop lights.

I'm planning on a road bike by the end of this year, and I think I'll switch to clipless then - I think those will be easier to get in and out of than clips.

I just had to tell people who know what these terms mean and you guys have been so supportive. I REALLY appreciate it!

Mr. Beanz

IMO, switch now. Clipless are much easier to exit than toe clips. Clips get caught on laces , sole on pedal where as clipless, click the heel out, instant disengage. Be sure to adjust the release mechanism setting for best performance during exits.

Plus, when I ride through town, I try to time the signals, might slow the final 30 yards. One can tell what's happening at the intersection ahead if one pays attention. If one can do any kind of a near track stand for 10 seconds, one can ride across town without ever disengaging.

chefisaac

clipless was easier for me then toe clips.

Mr. Beanz

I've fallen once on the bike approaching a stop, toe clips.

In 15 years, never with clipless!

fast89fox

Definitely go clipless. I hated those toe clip pedals when I first got the bike and that's what it came with. They are a accident waiting to happen IMO.

DARKSCOPE001

Go clipless you will thank yourself later. I recommend getting mountain shoes and pedals unless your racing. I love my crank bro candys (skip the chromoly spindle model, I think its the candy 1 go with the 2 or higher) get yourself a nice set of mountain shoes with lots of tread on them. They will be good for walking around when you need it and feel better than regular shoes on the bike. As a side benefit even the cheapest bike shoes will give you a performance advantage over regular shoes on the bike. They are stiffer and hold there position better.

Also like i said try crank bros especialy starting out. They are really easty to clip in and easy to clip out. They are bomb proof for the most part and have TONS of float for lots of knee saving. I love mine. Sure alot of guys I ride with bash em but they take forever fliping over and trying to clip into there road pedals while im 2 miles down the road.