Clipless pedals--newbie question - Triathlon Week

Georgia Girl · 06-09-2004, 01:18 PM

I'll be doing my first tri (a sprint distance) in late August. Is it worth is to get clipless pedals? On the one hand, for such a short ride, any time I gain by using the clipless pedals will probably be lost by having to chance shoes in the transition. My goal for this thing, though, is more to finish and still be able to smile and walk and want to do another one. So more in terms of energy efficiency and having some get-up-and-go left for the run, would the clipless pedals make any difference for that, or not really?

jtwhitmor · 06-09-2004, 07:52 PM

Clipless pedals are great, they give you a much more efficient stroke. But it takes some time to get used to them and ride safely with them. I would do your first race with what you are comfortable with. If you find youself hooked after your first race or if you know this is something you want to dedicate more time to after your first race, then I would invest in clipless pedals. Good luck!

Living_to_tri · 08-29-2004, 02:46 PM

Clipless or standard - we really want to hear how your first Sprint Tri went. Please post us on your experience!

wannatri · 09-13-2004, 10:36 PM

Hope the Tri went well!

For most just starting out, either is fine. However, if you really practice transitions, clipless will be much faster. Before the race, clip your shoes into the pedals. Then, T1 is a matter of clicking the helmet and going. You get your feet into the shoes after you're on the road. Similarly, you can get your feet out of the shoes near the end of the bike. T2 is a quick hop off the bike, slip on your running shoes and go.

Did you watch the Olympic triathlon coverage? There were some really fast transitions.

Zylo · 09-20-2004, 05:35 PM

I watched the Olympic Tri's, the Ironmans and some other ITU events. What I always see is Professional athletes fumbling to get on their shoes once they are on the bike. I see wobbly bikes, I see people looking down and coasting on the road while they try to get their feet into the peddles.

People. Put your bike shoes on in the T1 Area. It takes me 5 seconds flat. Literally. Then you don't have to worry about falling off your damn bike once you hop on. You can concentrate on cycling. You don't gain any time by leaving your shoes clipped in. Watch the tapes and races. Watch the pros. Not even they can get their feet in smoothly. It's not like they are peddling hard on the bike while they are putting their shoes on. They are just coasting, wobbling, and risking falling and hurting themselves or their bike.

I will never understand why people think it's a good idea to clip your shoes into the bike.... You don't save any time. While everyone else is fumbling to get their feet into their peddles. The 5 seconds it took me to put on my shoes in the transition area is made up because I jump on my bike and start hammering the peddles as I go past everyone else.

Oh, and I've seen shoes fall off as people run their bike to the spot where you mount up. MANY times.

That last race I was at to watch. The first place Elite guy grabbed his bike off the rack and sprinted off. His shoe hit the ground and came unclipped from the peddles. But he didn't know until he went to mount up. People tried to tell him, but he couldn't hear because he was so focused. He ended up losing about 1 minute. All because he didn't want to spend 5 seconds to put his shoes on first.

Watch the races. No one saves time having their shoes clipped in first. And they are risking a hell of a lot more.

wannatri · 09-20-2004, 11:16 PM

This is a more advanced technique. Unless you are really worried about your time, it is safer to put your shoes on in the transition area. And, you shouldn't try this without a lot of practice first.

Having said all that, sliding your feet into the shoes while riding is definitely awkward, but there's no doubt it's faster. First, you can move faster through the transition area in bare feet than in bike shoes. Second, even if it's only a few seconds, you are putting your shoes on while rolling forward, not while standing still. Finally, you can prevent your shoes from falling out by tightening the pedals and using a small rubber band to hold the shoe to the crank -- the rubber band will break as soon as you start pedaling -- not environmentally friendly, but your shoes won't hit the pavement.

Zylo · 09-24-2004, 06:00 AM

Those are some good tips wannatri, but I'm still puttn' my shoes on in transition :)

I just don't like the idea of trying to save 3 seconds and risking falling off my bike or losing my shoe etc etc.

Seriously, watch the pro's. They can't even do it smooth. They are always wobbling around and going really really slow before they get their shoes on.

Personally, I don't think you even save 1 second having your shoes already in the bike. I've watched way to many tapes and races and it's always the same story. Wobbly bikes and a speed of 5km/hour as they try to fit their feet into the shoes.

pyschosyd · 02-17-2005, 02:33 PM

For your first race stick with the pedals. They take a bit of getting used too. However there is significant performance benefits. Once you have swithched you will never go back. If you are going to ride without them try to find a shoe with a stiff sole. This will help with your pedaling efficiency.

As for leavning your shoes cliped into the pedals I agree with these guys that it is extremely advanced even for seasoned cyclists, and I don't think the benefits outweigh the cost. If you want to do this, make sure you get tri specific cycling shoes with a single velcro swatch. Normal cycling shoes with more than one velcro piece or ratchets are to dificult.
Leave it too the pros.

If you are looking into clipless for the first time, I also suggest that you start out with mountain bike pedals. They are dual sided and easier to get in and out with. When you get more comfortable with the idea of clipping in and out then you can get some road pedals which have less float (movement) and are more efficient.

So unless you have some time to get very comfortable with the clips stick with what you know.
Good luck on the Race
Syd

Das · 07-02-2005, 04:37 PM

What are Clipless pedals?
I know it sounds like a stupid question, but are they the every day pedals on a bike?
I thought you should have the shoes cliped on, which by the way, I am still trying to learn on my bike. I trying to click on and off for practice and I keep falling before I can click off, an yes its on the easiest setting/losest setting. Sonow I have someone holding my bike, while i learn to click on and off, so Im very confused about these clipless pedals? Are they better? Because all the cyclist friends I have say, you should clip on...please, help?

Thank you
Das :bannana:

Ps.. I have my first race August 7th, so I'm slowling learning to ride but without my clip/click ons, cause I keep falling..my poor knees are destroyed...and yes, please feel free to laugh cause its painful but quiet funny to see me on a bike and falling minutes after I get on. Eventually, I want to race with the clip/click on but I am trying to focus on learning how to ride correctly and gain confidence and then, I'lla add the hassle of bike shoes and clip/click ons...is that an ok philosophy? Especially since I dont really know any TriAthletes in this area, I am hoping to meet some at my first races so that I can learn from them and maybe train. :)

DOUBLE DOWN · 08-26-2006, 07:52 AM

Das,
Myself and a big group who live out on the beach train weekly on Key Biscayne and on the beach. We'll be competing in the sprint Tri ( [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] ) on August 27. Then we'll be doing the sprint race at CB Smith Park on 9/17/06.