when to go clipless, etc..

When I started to road bike again, after doing the MTB thing for a few years ago (and doing fairly well in crits in college some years prior to that), it was MTB shorts and a T shirt.

Very quickly, I learned that both good cycling shorts and a good cycling jersey make a lot of difference. You're not drenched in sweat, and there's nothing rubbing or flapping in the breeze.

Clipless pedals - they're weird at first, then you get used to them, then you wonder how you did without them. Getting out becomes instinctive, and then it's not an issue - pop one foot loose as you're slowing down just to be sure. And they're a lot quicker to get into than the old clipped pedals - how many times I did the toe flip thing trying to get the pedal in position...

I had always ridden clips, so when I recently got back into cycling after 15+ years away, I figured "I don't need clipless ... I really won't ride that much." Well, after a month of dicking around with clips and remembering how much hassle they were, I put Speedplays on this week, and got a nice pair of Sidi shoes -- WOW. Unbelievable difference!! As one of the guys at work pointed out, once you've ridden them once, you will never, ever ride any other way.

I could quote your post and sign my own name to it. At age 45 and with a lifetime of cycling, including more than 10 years of "serious" cycling, I still average about 14mph.

I loved toe clips, but I bought clipless shoes and pedals about 8 years ago. I've been stuck in them several times, I have fallen because of them combined with stupidity, and so forth . . . but even though I have my toe clips I will never go back. Clipless is so great that you can't go without.

I almost fell yesterday when I rode my bike to work.

We have hills in Georgia, and I pass some of my colleagues along the way. They never fail to talk about my cycling when I see them. At 14mph with a light backpack for clothes and files, and usually wearing baggy shorts and a T-shirt, I apparently am the king. They say I just roll up the hill while the fancy guys mash and sweat and curse (at 20+ mph, I'm sure -- and believe me, I'm hurting at low speed!).

The past several days of biking 8 miles to work with regular shorts (due to unfinished laundry issues) convinced me that bike shorts are an absolute necessity.

So there you have it.

gtd

Okay, I took everyone's advice on the shorts - I've now got a couple of pairs and its the world of difference. I'm real close to my next goal, yesterday's ride was just under 20 miles, so I guess I'm heading in the right direction. Of course, it seemed easier as my rear end was on top of a new bike!!! It seems I found myself at the Specialized dealer and came home with an Allez, now I've got a great hybrid and a great road bike!!! (may have to change my username, nah I kinda like it) What's better than one bike??? Two bikes!!!

I did get some look pedals and shimano shoes, but I'm still being a chicken.
However, I'm going to have the fitter at my dealer set the new bike up with the clipless, so I guess there won't be any looking back.🙄

Just read this form on Tues went for a ride and fell over cliped in :-) . Touch wood its not painfull only the pride bone is hurt. Get the clips and go for it.