Just back to cycling after a 25 year hiatus – which puts me in the “early senior” category. Long story short – I first went out and got myself a roadbike, complete with clipless pedals. ONE – I wasn’t ready for a road bike, and TWO – most certainly not ready for clipless. After the knees healed, the LBS accepted responsibility (did I mention the road bike was two sizes too large?), and gave me full credit on a Trek 7300FX.

Love this bike, and so far the knees look normal. My new problem is losing the pedals. By that I mean when I shift to a larger sprocket ( I think that’s what I want to say – and easier gear?) the pedals go into spin mode, but my legs can’t keep up. I see this as a potentially dangerous situation, which obviously could be solved by going back to clipless. (Also, better and more timely shifting would help).

Since I’m still learning my way around and still gaining confidence on the bike – I don’t think I’m yet ready to get fastened to the bike.

Solutions? Would toe clips help as an intermediate step? OR, am I right that just learning to shift at the appropriate time would solve the whole thing?

Additionally, I am riding with the Shimano recessed clip shoes I used on the first bike. Since the sole is very solid, are they perhaps a bit slick for the alloy ATB on the 7300?

I remember when biking was sooooooooooo easy!

Toe clips will definately help. Clipless might be easiest on the knees if they have enough float. You will find yourself in a too easy gear (pedaling air) less often with experience, but toe clips always help to keep your foot positioned correctly on the pedal. Put the clipless pedals back on when you are ready, you will learn to love them I think, but using toe clips for now makes sense to me. You don't want to be slipping off those metal pedals.