X-LinkedRider

Hey everyone, I have been riding about a year or 2 now and I just bought my first pair of clip in shoes today. I just installed the hardware and I am sure there is some adjusting to take place, but what kind of difference will be going from Sneakers to Clip ins. Since I have been riding I did about 800 miles in the first year and about 2000 or so this past year. I am still a novice but being a 26 year old male in decent shape, a novice getting better quickly. I ride an FCR3 with 700x32 tires and will pretty much ride mostly road and towpaths. Will I notice a difference in my climbs, or just overall pedal rotation, or pretty much just in the comfort of the foot?

Thanks

x136 

If you're anything like me, you'll be hooked quickly, and won't want to go back.

What pedal system did you go with? If it has adjustable tension, I found that setting it pretty loosely at first helps the transition and minimizes the zero MPH tip-overs.

mattm

yes i found they help a great deal, especially when climbing.

also, be prepared to fall! (prolly at zero mph, it happens to just about all new users of clipless pedals)

timmyquest

If you're anything like me you'll be hooked in real quickly. Then you'll forget about it, and you'll fall over at a stop sign in front of a bunch of lovely ladies in convertibles.

X-LinkedRider

Ha ha, yes these are things I have been reading. My LBS told me to set the tension very loosely and then tighten it as I get more acclimated to them. I bought the pedals a while ago in hopes that I would someday get shoes. So I have a hybrid system which is flat on one side and clip in on the other. I bought the Wellgo Hybrid pedals and I already liked them much more than the stock plastic pedals.

The shoes I bought were lake 50/50 which are more for mtb than roads but I can actually use the shoes at work if I want.

davehiscock

yeah!!! i did and also hooked, i have a pair of shimano RO-99p shoes and shimano 105 SPD road peds, i have adjusted the tension to minium when getting used to them so they are easy to click out.

im the same age, 5ft 8" and weigh 10 stone, so i always climb hills quick, as soon as i got clip in`s i am now quicker still, just remember to use them as it is easy to forget that you have them on (as the nice mark on my frame proves!!).

X-LinkedRider

I am about the same height maybe half an inch taller and fluctuate between 10-11 stone I think??? 140-155lbs about depending on time of year and what I am training for.

Which is is less tense on the tension screw. I see a + and a - on like a meter or a level.

davehiscock

yep thats the screw, - means less tension
+ means more tension , screw towards + for more tension and - for less

just remember that you are cliped onto your bike and if you stop, CLIP OUT FIRST!!!

phantyk

I just got my first pair of clip in pedals and shoes last week! I haven't had much time to test them out but I like the feeling so far. I did have my one obligatory fall, though. Right after getting them I clipped in my left foot and was working on getting the right in when my bike fell over taking me with it. Luckily I was on the ground and not asphalt or concrete. The problem is when you forget you're clipped in, because then you start slowing down and all of a sudden you can't get your foot free. Enjoy!

wcoastbikr

I hope that's a typo with those tires...because I bet you would notice a pretty big difference switching from 700x32's to 700x23's.

Like many people hear, once you go clipless you won't want to go back. I've tried doing clips and strap and that just feels weird. Plain platforms and I got to remember to keep my foot on the pedal because I keep trying to pull up on them but there's nothing keeping me attached.

x136 

Good choice. Very easy to ease yourself into clipless riding with pedals like that.

This is where setting the tension really low comes in handy. Your natural tendency to flail about like a loon ends up getting your foot free.

Amani576

I've technically fallen twice. Though the second time I managed to get out just before the bike and I got to the critical fall point. I learned one thing. Pay VERY CLOSE ATTENTION to the foot you start pedaling with, and I mean the one you always start pedaling with. I learned this in a weird way because I always had a hard time clipping in my right foot from a stop, and also getting started. It's because I always start pedaling with my right foot, so I know to unclip my left foot, and leave my right foot at about the 1:30 postition (from the driveside, like a clock) that way I can start easier, and not worry as much about having trouble starting.
My first fall was opposite the intersection of about 4 black guys who probably busted out laughing when I hit the ground. I was so embarrassed. You get over it though. I also clip out about 100 feet before a stop, just to be positive that I have.
-Gene-

X-LinkedRider

Thank you for all of the advise guys. I hope to have quite a few miles and less falls by the end of the week on these things. Tire size is no typo. 32c it's a hybrid mtb/road bike. I tour and ride the paths on this as well as road. If I went to 23's I would have to make sure I stayed road bound pretty much.

halfspeed

The next step is to understand that they are referred to as "clipless" pedals, not "clip in".

X-LinkedRider

Even though you clip in. I understand that they are clipless pedals. I said I bought my first clip in shoes...

Homebrew01

I usually bring the appropriate tool when I get new shoes or cleats so I can stop mid-ride if I need to make positioning adjustments.

X-LinkedRider

Yes, i always carry my multi tool with me anyways. I figure there will be at least a couple of rides of shoe adjustment, no less cleat tension.

Randochap

Just practice while balancing against a wall or fence. Soon it will be second nature.

halfspeed

Sigh.

MrCrassic 

There is no turning back after clipless. It's really that amazing (for most people).

Most of the difference should be observed in your pedal stroke. This will help you keep it even and fluid, and will also help while climbing, since no power is lost between your foot and the pedal (assuming that it isn't too loose).

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X-LinkedRider

Okay, so I will definitely notice a technical gain, especially over time with them? Sounds like the 90 marked down to 60 was a purchase worth while. Pretty much everyone has said I will never not use them again. I'll let you know how it goes, if I have time tomorrow.

MrCrassic 

BTW, you will tip over. Don't take it too seriously.

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Nick29

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that the only reason to increase the tension was if your pedals are releasing inadvertently?

MrCrassic 

If you don't feel like you have a tight enough connection to the pedal, then you increase the tension. On the other hand, if you feel like your feel will rip apart every time that you clip out, then decrease it. Decrease it if you feel ankle pain.

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