when to go clipless, etc..

Hey, Im also a newbie and I'd like to know too 🙄

Im with ya buddy!

Get the clip-in pedals ASAP. You can get out of them quicker, you don't need to loosen or tighten them, and they are more efficient in transferring energy to the chain.

Get bike shorts ASAP. They don't bind up, weigh less, look and feel better.

florida_hybrid said:

Hello everyone, newbie question here:

I'm 41, way out of shape and I've been riding my new sirrus for about 2 and a half months now, I'm riding only about 16 miles or so per ride and from what I can tell averaging about 14mph or so (I know this is really lame, I've seen plenty of riders crusing right by me). I just ride in regular clothes and currently use the toe clips that came with the bike. I do use a helment and gloves (gloves were a necessity with a flat bar road bike) my next goal is to do 20 miles per ride.

Some general questions here,

1. I am still way below the point of getting any benefit from going to clipless pedals?

2. If so, when is it suggested to go to clipless?

3. When does one begin wearing bike shorts, are these really just benefical for people who do long rides? (probably a funny/stupid question, but it never hurts to ask)

Thanks for any inputs...😎

I started clipless so I can't comment on that other then to say I like using them. As for the shorts I have been biking for about 8 months and am riding around 15 miles 4-5 times a week wearing regular shorts. After some persistent chafing issues I purchased my first pair of bike shorts this past weekend, and they are awesome. They are cooler (temperature) and my chafing issue is over. They are also a lot more comfortable due to the padding or chamois. Best money I have spent!!!!!
Take a look here is some advice
ehow.comhow 14089 buy bike shorts.htmlOpen ↗

florida_hybrid said:

Hello everyone, newbie question here:

I'm 41, way out of shape and I've been riding my new sirrus for about 2 and a half months now, I'm riding only about 16 miles or so per ride and from what I can tell averaging about 14mph or so (I know this is really lame, I've seen plenty of riders crusing right by me). I just ride in regular clothes and currently use the toe clips that came with the bike. I do use a helment and gloves (gloves were a necessity with a flat bar road bike) my next goal is to do 20 miles per ride.

Some general questions here,

1. I am still way below the point of getting any benefit from going to clipless pedals?

2. If so, when is it suggested to go to clipless?

3. When does one begin wearing bike shorts, are these really just benefical for people who do long rides? (probably a funny/stupid question, but it never hurts to ask)

Thanks for any inputs...😎

There is also some information on the articles section of this site that offers some buying tips..

1) I've found that the primary benefits from clipless pedals are comfort and control of the bike.
2) It's never too early to start.
3) One generally begins wearing bike shorts at least a few minutes prior to getting on the bike. They're hard to put on while pedalling. Seriously though, if as your screen name implies you're in Florida, bike shorts will make a huge difference after less than an hour in that kind of heat. If you're not into the superhero look you can get baggy mountain bike shorts with padded stretchy liners in them.

Oh, and don't worry about your speeds. We were all slow when we started.

artmichalek said:

1) .
3) One generally begins wearing bike shorts at least a few minutes prior to getting on the bike. They're hard to put on while pedalling.

HAHA, thanks for the tip art - I don't think the wife would let me out of the house with out shorts anyway (she wouldn't want to gross out the neighbors!!)

Thanks for the replies, I think I will get pedals/shoes and try them out. I'm hearing SPD is probably the way to go. looks like shorts are in order too.

many thanks..

florida_hybrid said:

HAHA, thanks for the tip art - I don't think the wife would let me out of the house with out shorts anyway (she wouldn't want to gross out the neighbors!!)

Thanks for the replies, I think I will get pedals/shoes and try them out. I'm hearing SPD is probably the way to go. looks like shorts are in order too.

many thanks..

OK

Clipless:
- start that as soon as possible
- you will realise the difference right away, more easier pedalling.
- but make sure you get LOTS of practice of clip-in and un-clip before you go the road. The myth is everyone, I mean EVERYONE, no matter how much experience they got on bike, everyone will fall/drop at least once or twice. So getting prepare for the fall on soft grass.

Cycling Outfit:
- 10000 more comfortable! Go for it, you will never go out without it

piero said:

OK

Clipless:
- start that as soon as possible
- you will realise the difference right away, more easier pedalling.
- but make sure you get LOTS of practice of clip-in and un-clip before you go the road. The myth is everyone, I mean EVERYONE, no matter how much experience they got on bike, everyone will fall/drop at least once or twice. So getting prepare for the fall on soft grass.

Cycling Outfit:
- 10000 more comfortable! Go for it, you will never go out without it

The first time I went out with clip-ins I literally did not go three feet before I fell. I had just bought the new bike, and practiced clipping in and out while in the bike shop. Then they suggested a go for a short ride to see how everything felt. I walked the bike out to their driveway, waited until the traffic had passed, then mounted up and started to go. But I saw a car approaching about a block away, and since I was unsure of myself on the bike, I thought it best to wait until nothing was in sight. I stopped, and seemed to go down in slow-motion as I vainly tried to pull my foot up from the pedal. I skinned my knee, but did no harm to the bike.

As it turned out, a cute girl had been waiting in a parked car and she saw the whole thing. She got out and came over to see if I was alright. She said she couldn't understand - I went down without trying to stop myself!

So I went for my little ride, and then walked the bike back into the shop. The guys were looking at me with admiration. "Man, you're a stud - you walk out with your new bike and we look up and there you were flirting with this cute chick!"

Yes, I told them the truth!

Pendejo said:

I walked the bike out to their driveway, waited until the traffic had passed, then mounted up and started to go. But I saw a car approaching about a block away, and since I was unsure of myself on the bike, I thought it best to wait until nothing was in sight. I stopped, and seemed to go down in slow-motion as I vainly tried to pull my foot up from the pedal. I skinned my knee, but did no harm to the bike.

😄 hahahahaha, sorry mate, don't mean to laugh, but everyone got a first funny fall. Let me tell you my first falling experience.

I still remember I am practicing clip-in and un-clip inside my appartment's carpark for almost 45 mins, and I am start building up confidence at that moment.

and I am ready to take up the big challenge to go onroad without a fall.

At the same time, suddenly a car just pull out from on of the spot very slowly around 50 meter ahead of me. and then I was trying to slow down. But at the same time I forgot I was clip-in. I think you guys can imagine what's going on next.

:o I began to fall to my left very very slowly, I will say "super slow motion" coz I was trying to pull up on the other side. of course mission failed... anyway, I was landing in a very weird position, my left body was on the ground while my right was trying to pull my bike up in the air, coz I don't wanna scretch it ... :o :p at the same time trying to unclip while my bike was still high up in the air.

hahahahaa, the driver in the car was in a big shock and he run to me and check if I am alright.

learn a lecture after that. If you think you are going to fall:
- Push you foot down and DON'T pull it up 😎

Plenty of sound advice here, Florida-Hybrid, and all along the same lines, so I'm sure you're already convinced.

Go clipless, get some shorts!

I'd recommend Crank Bros Eggbeaters, or Time ATACs - both very easy to get in and out of, and both have plenty of float (lateral movement) to prevent straining your knees. I've riddent Shimanos too but prefer the others.

Practice on the grass first.

A friend of mine spotted his sister at a bus stop in the centre of town. It was teatime and there were loads of peopl queueing. He rode over to her, came to a stop, and then remembered he was clipped in. Too late! The whole bus stop was laughing. I couldn't ride for the tears in my eyes!

He still rides clipless. No-one ever goes back.

Enjoy.

Wheelist

piero said:

but everyone got a first funny fall. Let me tell you my first falling experience.

Since we are hijacking the thread, I have to share my stupid fall. This is not my first one, I have a lot of experience with falls! This is my most recent.

I went out for a ride, but forgot to pack snacks. I guess I wasn't decided whether to go fast or do a short climb. Well, the lure of powering down country lanes won out and 40 miles later, I was pulling into a small town about 10 miles from the end. The intersection is one of those strange ones that we have in PA, a 5 way stop. Pretty weird and at this point my head is swimming from the lack of calories, plus my ears are buzzing from the wind that had been rushing in them.

I can see that the road ahead is clear, I check left and right... clear. 😎

Then I hear a farmer's tractor coming in from somewhere. 😕

I clip out with my left foot and start looking around. You guessed, I had to twist to the right to see the combine coming in from over my right shoulder. I'm taking a good look judging whether he is really as slow as I think. Can I sprint out in front of him? Sure I can! I start rearing up too... and.... 🙄

Ooooooooh sh.... I should be leaning on my left not right! Aiiieee!! :eek:
Oh! Good, grab the stop sign post! :p
Got it! I'm saved! 😄
HEY! What's going on? 😕
The post is.... Aaaa! I'm still falling! :eek:

So there I am, with my right foot under the bike (and still clipped in), a busted stop sign behind me (clutched in my right hand), my face planted in the grass, my left foot windmilling as it tries to get planted somewhere and a combine going by.

I got myself twisted around and propped up just in time to see the farmer driving by looking down. His expression was exactly what you'd expect. :o

Fortunately, I was wearing those cool comfy bike shorts, so I didn't experience any chafing, excess sweating or saddle soreness! 🙂 And after falling over like that, I really wasn't thinking about whether they made me look like a dork or not! 😄

piero said:

- but make sure you get LOTS of practice of clip-in and un-clip before you go the road. The myth is everyone, I mean EVERYONE, no matter how much experience they got on bike, everyone will fall/drop at least once or twice. So getting prepare for the fall on soft grass.

I have yet to meet any experienced cyclist who hasn't done this. It took me about 4 years and close to 8000 miles of riding to do it myself.

Hey FH, where do you live? I live in the Port Richey area, but I am usually riding in the Tarpon/clearwater area. I ride a hybrid bike like yours, I did look at the Sirrus bikes at chainwheel Drive, but decided instead on a Pearl White Marin Highway One. So if you see a Pearl White Marin with no spokes, just give me a hollar. 😄

Blademun said:

Hey FH, where do you live? I live in the Port Richey area, but I am usually riding in the Tarpon/clearwater area.

Hey Blade, I'm up in Jacksonville, we'd have to ride pretty far to pass each other!!!🙂 How do you like your flat bar bike? I'm really pretty happy with the sirrus, I'm just starting out and it seems to suit me just fine. I did need a nice pair of padded glove to eliminate the numbness I was getting in the hands. Luckily they cured that problem. I'm going to stick with this bike for at least a year, but if I stick with cycling I would eventually like a nice road or touring? bike with some drop bars (I think they are called drop bars). That style bike seemed intimidating when I was looking and since I had ridden a cheapo MTB on and off this bike just felt right. But what a difference going from the old bike to this one, my original planned route was just a breeze. I had to go the the LBS and get some maps to put a much longer ride together. Hopefully I will get to my next goal of 20mile rides shortly. (no way I could have done that with the old bike)

Ah Jacksonville, How is it up there? I haven't had the chance to go by that area, by car or bike! lol

As far as my bike, I love it! I got such a sweet deal on it too, the Marin Highway one is the top of the line for its class, and I got it for 600$. Its the 04' and I bought it off ebay barely used. New msrp on it is 1400$. It was missing a few of the perks(had cheaper tires and seatpost then it should've) but I fixed that. Quality wise, it beats the hell out of the sirrus I was looking at for 800$ at the LBS.

According to what you've said, You sound like you are at where I was a year ago. Of course, a year ago I didn't have a sweet sirrus, I was running around on a 'urban bike'. A urban bike is just a nice mountainbike with slick tires. I kept going farther and farther on that..first 10 miles, then 20, then 30...60 miles was the last mark I made on my urban bike before I hung it up. I did that because I found I couldn't keep up with the roadies... I know why now! With my new bike, what a difference a road setup makes! 60 miles was a big thing for me on the urban bike, now I consider it "A nice day off ride". I did 80 miles last saturday. Thats my new high mark.

Also, I have been having that numbness problem too. So you say gloves cured it? I guess I should go get some then. I've been avoiding buying a pair because of the heat. Guess I'll go get some come next payday..

As far as switching to a true road bike, I don't think I will be. Its probably irrational, but I have alot of prejudice against the "pure roadie" style and drop bars especially.

Blademun said:

Ah Jacksonville, How is it up there? I haven't had the chance to go by that area, by car or bike! lol

Also, I have been having that numbness problem too. So you say gloves cured it? I guess I should go get some then. I've been avoiding buying a pair because of the heat. Guess I'll go get some come next payday..

Its not too bad up here - its hot and flat🙂 - finding a few good routes to ride. We also have something called the baldwin trail here - 15 miles of paved bike only path/road. I've yet to check it out, but since its probably 30-45minutes away by car, I wouldn't be using it on a reqular basis anyway. The LBS guy said to check it out, but I'd rather spend that extra hour riding.

For those gloves, find ones with the two pads, one on each side of the palm - this takes the pressure off "the valley" in the center of your palm. This really cuts down on the numbness. I found a nice specialized gel padded pair (the 1/4 finger type) and the don't seem to bother me in the heat eather.

Pendejo said:

Get the clip-in pedals ASAP.

I agree!

[font=Tahoma]Hi Florida_Hybrid....fellow Sirrus owner here! I have an 05 Sirrus and I went to clipless about a year ago and have been most happy ever since.. I taught Spinning classes for years before getting back out on the road. I started out with an inexpensive Giant Boulder mountain bike, but decided to sell it and go with more of a road machine. I tested many different bikes before I fell in love with the Sirrus. Keep Riding and enjoy![/font]

Hey dauphin,

Good to hear from another owner, glad you like your sirrus. I think specialized has some pretty cool bikes. I looked at hybrids from trek, giant, and specialized. The sirrus just plain rocks!!!!!