new bike!

so ive been wanting a road bike for a long time now. i did a duathlon a couple months ago and fell in love with biking. today i finally got one! its a trek 1.2 and its gorgeous.

i havent even been out riding on it yet cuz im still at work. but i was wondering if anyone knew the benefits of getting the clip pedals? is there anyone out there that rides?

Thanks!

I ride with toe-clips; the poor man's version of clip or even the clipless pedals.  I find a HUGE difference when I concentrate on using them.  I can easily gain another 10% in my speed simply by concentrating on lifting up with one foot while pushing down with the other, and it doesn't feel like much more effort.

I'd highly recommend getting something.  The toe-clips were only about 10 dollars at the local store, if you want to try something out.  Obviously going with the specialized shoes and pedals will cost a lot more.

Be prepared to practise in a safe location with them before going out for a ride on the road.  I've dumped over at least once when I undid on clip and thought I could stand on one foot.  Start leaning over to the other side, and watch the hilarity ensue.  I work out at the local Y as well, and the exercise bikes have straps for your feet, if you chose to use them.  That can simulate the effect of being clipped in.  See if you like the way it feels if you crank up the resistance and try using them.

Have fun!

Clint

They make it easier on your feet, because your shoes have a stiff sole, so you aren't only pushing down with the ball of your foot. Makes it more efficient, and your feet don't go numb so easy. Also, you can follow through when you are pedaling, you push down and also can pull up through the circle, so you are working more muscles, and it's also more efficient. Definitely practice clipping in and out on some soft grass. It's good to have someone to hold you up. Expect to have a few mishaps and fall on the pavement, it happens to almost everyone.

Yep, yep ... cliping in is good. Much more efficient to pedal, try to swoosh your leg stroke rather than just push down.

You will fall down though, everyone get's tripped up at some point and falls. I've never hurt myself falling though, and don't know anyone who got hurt falling because of a clip mishap.

thanks for the replies! yeah i keep getting warned by people that if i get the clip things that im going to fall. haha.

The likelihood of you falling increases with the attractiveness of the people who are around to witness it.

Just fair warning.

"Clipless" rocks, once you're used to it.  Twist your foot to release, snick back in when the light goes green.  No more having to spend attention keeping your feet in the optimum location on the pedal, you can pedal the entire circle (pull back at the bottom of the stroke, lift your leg, push forward at the top of the stroke and around and down), and when you're going really fast or really hard, your feet don't slip or fly off of the pedals.

i think the only disadvantage to clipless (aside from the tipping-over part as you're getting used to them) is that the shoes are almost impossible to walk in (there are soft ones, but they're more for mountain biking).  but if you're not commuting or getting your groceries on your bike, it's not a big issue.

edit: if you will be walking, clips are much more amenable to street shoes.

After days of riding by myself and "practicing" I thought I was finally used to unclipping from my Look Keo pedals, but wouldn't ya know, I went riding with my cycle group, and following an expected stop, fell right over onto the curb (but hey...at least I didn't fall the opposite way into traffic or create a domino effect with the other 10 riders).  Anyways....my mountain bike has the toe cages which I ride with semi-stiff mountain bike shoes with no clips, but my Trek 2.1 has the Look Keos, which I do think make a big difference in my riding efficiency.  You could go to a bike shop and ask their opinions (pros and cons) of the different clips (ie. SPD, lollipop, look).  Now if I could just get over the 'fear of fall'.  By the way...I name my bikes and couldn't think of a name for this one.  But my friend came up with one at happy hour - Eileen.  I lean....and I fall.  Haha - just had to share that.

Congrats on the new bike. Make sure to get it fitted properly, and not just the usual fit from a bike shop of "eh looks ok".

UD