cyclochica

I went and put down a deposit on a new road bike, dubbed Sweetness II. Sweetness I will now be sold since I don't have space for three bikes.

I bought a 2003 Fuji Club SE from Performance. I got the 56cm, since the 54 required the seat to be unnaturally high. I can't find a picture of it online, but it basicallyhas the same color scheme as the Ace SE. The test ride was awesome, and the shifting is so much smoother that what I have. I can't wait for July 15 when I can pick it up.

Now I just have to convince myself that going clipless will not kill me.

Lady Jane

Sweet!

captsven

Going clippless will take you to the next level of riding.

I gurantee in a month you will be amazed how you ever lived without them!

cyclochica

I have extremely bad knees, I am really afraid that unclipping could lead to me dislocating a knee cap, especially since I have done it walking.

FOG

Are all your ligaments intact? Your knee problems don't sound like a laughing matter. Are you seeing health, physical therapy or exercise professionals? If I had a fragile knee I would go seek some really professional advice, and a second opinion on that, because I would like to be able to keep walking for the next 50 or more years.

Rev.Chuck

If you have knee troubles use speedplay pedals. The float is almost tensionless and they just release, there is no tension build up to the release point. They will be much easier on your knees than your toeclips/straps.

Rowan

I went Time Attacs. Plenty of free play and mechanically very, very simple.

The unclipping action I find is more from twisting the ankle rather than the knee. The Attac cleats are designed so that you can vary the amount of twist before they pop out just by which shoes you place them on. I understand the Shimano SPDs also have adjustment through the clip on the pedal. Go for the loosest adustment first. The twist-out action is different from clips and straps where you have to pull backwards first.

A tip before riding clipless: Place you bike close to a wall. Get on the bike and lean against the wall with your shoulder or arm, and apply a brake with your free hand. Clip into the pedals. Now unclip from the outer pedal. Do it 50 times or more. Get off, turn the bike around, and repeat. Usually clipping out is easiest when the pedal is in to 6 o'clock position.

It'll help get the routine right, give you more confidence, help you pick the most comfortable foot to clip in and out with (my favoured feet are opposite for toe clips and clipless), and hopefully help you reduce your fall-off-the-bike time.

t also will identify any problems with clip tension, interference from the sole surrounding the cleat, and/or ankle/knee problems. And I believe a little application of wax or oil on the cleat can make things easier.

Good luck and enjoy the new bike. Gosh, July 17 -- that's a long time to wait.

R

captsven

Cyclochic
I totally agree with the rev on Speedplays. I used to get sore knees on long rides but the Speedplay pedals are really easy on the knees. As far as getting in and out of them it is easy for me but I do not know the extent of your knee damage.

cyclochica

I have had these problems since I was 11, when the original injury occurred. No I am not in physical therapy, because there really is nothing they can do. The doctor told me to quit running, drop the extra pounds, start weight training, and swim. He ok'd the cycling as a replacement for running, and I decided to quit playing tennis to give my knees a break. The bottom line is that my patellas sit higher on my knee joint than most peoples, and to fix it the problem would mean reshaping the joint. That would put me on my a$$ for 6 months at least.

Since I started cycling I have not had any issues, my knees don't even hurt when it rains. For me surgery is inevitable, but the doctor thinks improving my physical condition will give me another 10 - 15 years to be able to put it off.

cyclochica

Thanks for all the suggestions. My knees never hurt after a ride, I am just concerned that the twisting motion would cause more problems than it it worth. I am going to talk to the mechanic at the LBS and see what he says.

joeprim

cyclochica

Congrads on the bike. It sounds nice. Sorry about your knee problems. Let us know what you decide to do about the clipless.
Joe

inniswhe

I think it may be worth your while to give the clipless a try.

I have had a partially torn ACL for years( Rugby injury) which has resulted in a weak knee that will twist out and lock up on me fairly easily. It is always caused by a twisting motion. It can come out just getting out of the car or turning in a chair.

I have been riding clipless for a couple of years on my MTB without any problems. If you are like me with a little practice you will automatically rotate your entire leg from the hip to escape.

Good Luck !

Grendel

Chica,

I have exactly the same problems with my knees, I think. The groove that the patella rides in inside the knee joint is shallower than normal so that it is prone to dislocation and I've injured both knees several times, sometimes when just walking along and I happened to turn slightly the wrong way. I've found that cycling has greatly improved the condition of my knees, and I haven't noticed any problems or discomfort using my Time ATAC pedals. The unclipping motion has never caused me problems or discomfort, even when the pedals were new and still a little stiff on the release. One thing to remember is that it is much easier to unclip if your foot is at the bottom of the pedal stroke.

Good luck!

cyclochica

Since I sold my old bike earlier than I thought I would, I made arrangements to pick up my new bike on Saturday. I decided to go with Performance Campus pedals, which will allow me to either keep the clips or go to clipless. The pedals are SPD compatible, and I am leaning toward starting with those and then if I get too nervous break out the toe clips.

I just have one question: How do you clip out of spd compatible pedals?

joeprim

cyclochica

I believe it is twist out and pull. But don't pay any attention to me. Do it at the bike shop - about twenty times while hold onto the wall and cliping in and out where they can help you get it right. Then do it a little more to insure it is mussle memory.

Good luck with it

Joe

EagleEye

They clip out similar to others. On the left foot, you twist your left heal outward (left) and you should be free. On the right foot, you twist you right heal outward (right) for the same result.

I do have to say that the SPD will be harder on your knees 'cuz there's no float at all in them. I use speedplays when I'm riding, but had to use SPD for spinning classes last winter and my knees were sore from the SPD. Just don't want you to get discouraged if your knees hurt from the SPD's 'cuz you will see a big improvement in performance if/when you go clipless. Good luck!

Merckxrider

"trouble unclipping": If you're concerned about it, whatever you do, DON'T buy Look Pedals. Mine are insanely and unecessarily tight. Whatever French dude invented these things must have gotten really drunk before making the design. I would not buy them again and regret having done so.

khuon

One other thing to remember is that most clipless pedal cleats will become smoother and easier to release as they "wear in"... this is especially true of those which use brass cleats such as the Egg Beaters and ATACs. Of course when they wear out then they become harder to release.

Also, if the design incorporates springs, they will in turn take a little bit of time to break in. It may be initially tough to clip in and out before the end of the break-in period so you might want to loosen up the adjustments (if you can) in the beginning and then re-evaluate after a few rides.

As for maintenance, you'll want to keep the mechanisms properly lubed as per manufacturer's suggestions. You will want to periodically check the tightness of your cleats too. If you hear a clicking sound while pedalling, one place to check is at your cleat bolts. Loc-Tite helps when installing some cleats.

cyclochica

Thanks for all the advice. I pick up my bike when the shop opens on Saturday, so I will go for a test ride with the toe clips first to get a feel for the bike. Then on Sunday I am going to get up at the crack of dawn and try out the clipless side of the pedal. If you see a post on Sunday afternoon about the experience assume I am going to live, if you don't see one worry

lotek 

do yourself a favor and try speedplay pedals.
easy entry, easy exit, low maintenance, and easy
on knees. What more could you ask for?

Look Pedals were originally designed by Look Ski Bindings
(Look has gotten out of the skiing business and is now
exclusively bike related), not insane when you think about
where they came from.

Nice Ride Cyclochica.
Hey I was in Reston last week.

Marty

cyclochica

Next time you are here we should get together for a ride. Since you have lived here before you can clue me into some cool places to take my new bike.

Merckxrider

[QUOTE]Originally posted by lotek

"Look Pedals were originally designed by Look Ski Bindings
(Look has gotten out of the skiing business and is now
exclusively bike related), not insane when you think about
where they came from."




Next time I'll take a ski pole with me so I can unlock out of them.

-Steve

FOG

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Merckxrider

Quote:

Originally posted by lotek

"Look Pedals were originally designed by Look Ski Bindings
(Look has gotten out of the skiing business and is now
exclusively bike related), not insane when you think about
where they came from."




Next time I'll take a ski pole with me so I can unlock out of them.

-Steve

Rossignol owns Look and has used some of their binding components for several years under the Rossignol label. Meanwhile, Dynastar skis, Lange boots, Original Sin snowboards, and Look bindings have been part of another group in the same company. If Look bindings are not on the market under the Look name this year they will be under another name, either Rossignol or Dynastar. Oh yeah- I think the poles that group sells, if you need them to unlock your pedals are kermas.

EagleEye

Cyclochica,

I live in the Herndon/Reston area, right off the W&OD. Let me know if you want someone to ride with you when you test your clipless. It's takes a little getting used to, but may not be as scarry if you had someone to help if/when you need it. Actually, if you live in the Herndon/Reston area, I can put my Speedplay on your bike and you can try them out. Actually, I have Speedplay, Looks, and SPD, so you can try them all. Once you do, I'm sure you'll understand why everybody is recommending Speedplay for your knees.

PM me if you want to set something up.

cyclochica

I would really appreciate the help. I'll send you a PM and see what we can set up. Thanks.