MRGolfo

I was finally able to convince my wife to use the clipless pedals. She has a hybrid bike and she has been riding more and more lately. We bought her some shoes about 3 weeks ago and I had some extra spd pedals. Finally convince her she needs to use them or else I will get instore credit and buy something for myself. Next step, a road bike.

InVisib0L

Make sure you help her because she might fall. And if she falls, guess who she's gonnna blame?

MRGolfo

yeah, I know. I was running behind her like she just got off the training wheels.

Snicklefritz

Maybe set her bike up on a trainer so she can practice clipping in and out without worrying about falling over?

MichaelW

Pushing non athletic riders onto clipless is not such a bright idea. MTB/leisure style cycling shoes are certainly worth while but a few falls in clipless can really dent the confidence of some riders.
I was at a ride of mixed ability cyclists last weekend and only about 20% were using clipless. If she wants to race then it makes sense but if she just wants to ride, why bother? Wait till she asks for them.

MRGolfo

MichaelW,

She rides about 80 miles a week and from my understanding cycling shoes makes it more efficient. As for falling, I am sure she fell at least once when she was learning how to ride a bike and she still rides today. It would be ashame if every person that stumbles learning a new thing just quits.

hibiscus09

I had trouble when I first began using clipless pedals, using Look pedals. I found out on a women's forum and through some other research that women with a shoe size smaller than 7 might have a leverage problem with those. I could not get out of the things and fell many times, thinking I could overcome the issue. I finally went to the bike shop and had them switched out to Speedplays. I have been able to get out of those every time with no problem -- I love my lollipop pedals.

I hope your wife adapts to her new clipless pedals quickly.

winddance

+1 (from another female)

Have her test out the pedals with you holding the bike or on the trainer. If she has trouble, get her some Speedplays.

turbominnow

I put the wife on clipless about a month before last years MS and on a hybrid no less. Only problem is dismounting in traffic up hill. Honestly if she is fine with it, don't make a big deal like your kids first ride on a bike, go with it.

oboeguy

Here's how I got the wife into clipless on her hybrid, well, once she was convinced they were a good idea:

- got her the Performance "Campus" pedals, flat on one side, SPD-style on the other (actually "Wellgo" cleats required, I believe)
- had her practice on grass (no comment on whether she fell or not -- she hasn't fallen on pavement)
- now she's clipped in almost all the time when using her riding shoes

The road bike hasn't happened, however, she's been handed down my one year old, very sporty folder, which is one step closer to a road bike (the bike is called Speed Pro and they mean it! note that I got this years model so we can ride folders together). Someday, perhaps, but I'm happy enough, heck, thrilled to see her on the folder.

Gordonm

My wife had the spd pedals and was ready to get out of the clipless pedals. She could not get out of or into them easily. I bought her a set of eggbeaters and she loves them. Much easier for her to get in and out and she feels confident with them. She has not fallen at all, I have and she has laughed at me both times quite hard. I tell her that her day is coming.

damage24

I learned clipless by riding on an easy mtb trail. I crashed probably a dozen times but finally got the hang of it and haven't had a problem in a long time. If I had gone down all those times on pavement instead of dirt/grass, I might have given up on them.