First ride on my triathlon bike: That was ... educational. I'd love some feedback.

You sound like me, last year (and still to some extent) -- I bought a P2 having not ridden a bike for years, having never ridden clipless, etc.

Clipping in and out will likely get easier pretty quickly. I think it took me maybe three rides to get comfortable with it. I live in the city and use a heavily trafficked multi-use trail to get to roads where it's safe to ride. While I'm on the trail, I often ride with just one foot clipped in because I know there will be lots of obstacles, then I clip the other foot in when I get to a safer area. I still do occasionally fall if I have to stop quickly, but usually because I unclip one foot and lean to the other side like an idiot.

You might actually have more success shifting into the big ring. I found that made a big difference for me in making the bike feel more stable. It's way easier for me to get in and out of aero, shift, grab my water bottle, etc. when I'm in the big ring.

My brother and I biked part of the Oregon coast last summer and it was only my second time using clip in pedals. When we were about 1/4 mile from our stopping point for the day i said to my brother "Look at that - a full day on the bike and I didn't fall over." Two seconds later I had to stop, didn't unclip in time, and fell over.

It gets much easier! You might not ever feel completely comfortable while clipped in but just spend a lot of time practicing clipping in and out on the trainer and you'll get better at it!

A Huffy to a Cervelo huh? Pretty drastic difference! Good luck

Do you have a trainer? If not, and you know someone that does, I bet they would lend it to you since it is finally nice enough to ride outside.

On the trainer, you can practice clipping in and out with no worries of crashing. Also, you can practice the transition in/out of aero.

You'll soon get the hang of clipping in/out. And remember - in a race, you only have to clip in once and clip out once! :-)

A few other things are different about a tri bike. One is that the front wheel can feel pretty squirly when you're in aero position. For quite a while, I had to come out of aero every time I went round a corner.

Another thing is that a tri bike works different muscles - specifically, you use more quads and less hamstrings. This is deliberate - it saves your hamstrings for the run. But you'll find your quads burn like crazy to begin with!

Also, you'll find you get a stiff neck the first few times from being in the aero position. It's just not a natural position.

But the good news is that all these things get easier with time and practice. Get on your bike and get aero as often as you can. As the old saying goes, there is no substitute for T.I.T.S - time in the saddle.

Also, it is absolutely worth the money to get a good bike fit. Look for a F.I.S.T certified fitter in your area. Probably the best money you will ever spend.

Good luck!

You shouldn't be afraid not to clip out before you stop, it comes quite naturally, hit the breaks, clip out. Anyway, even if you do fall over because you didn't clip out, it really doesn't hurt, after all it happens at 0mph. Generally, if/when you wall, you should not try to take the impact with your hand, that's when you can get seriously injured, roll of the fall and you'll just get bruises.

You can adjust the clips so they clip out easier. It gives some wiggle room when you're clipped in. First thing I did was to get them as loose as possible.

I was advised to get a road bike first, and one of the reasons is the one you mention, it's a completely different thing to ride in aero, the bike handles differently and for a beginner you've got enough to worry about - such as clipping out

Some more tips in this video.

BR

When I test road my Cervelo, I took it back and said it was to hard to ride and left the store w/ my tail between my legs.  I almost crashed it several times.  The next day I called back and told them i wanted it.  I knew i had to grow up.  I got it and the first few times I road it, I was scared because I couldn't stop real quick, I mean my hands were away from the brakes, I was wobbly, couldn't steer it very good but guess what, I rode it a few time and the learning curve was quick.  I now LOVE that bike, it is faster than my road bike.  I still ride my road bike around town where there is a lot of stops and turns but you'll get the hang of it.  Just go out and ride it a little every chance you get and you will love the bike too.  It sounds like it needs to be fitted though.

Good luck

Thanks for all the comments and advice. I feel a lot better knowing that other people go through the same learning curve. Especially that others still feel more comfortable with one shoe clipped out when riding through traffic and whatnot. =)

I did have a basic bike fit, but because I'd never ridden a tri bike before, I wasn't sure what was comfortable, what was too far a reach, etc. The bike shop guy and I discussed that I would go back for a complete fit after having taken it out a few times. We are anticipating adjustments.

The pedals are adjustable and I will play with the tension a bit. At this point I would rather have them unclip too easily. I will also try the big ring next time -- this time out was all about getting a feel for the bike without killing myself.

I already have a nice big bruise from falling over while practicing. -- somehow I had the intuition to fall hip first! My badge of honor, I guess.

Thanks again!

Is your bike shop guy a certified and reputable bike fitter?  Most guys that work at bike shops don't know jacksquat about proper bike fitting, especially when it comes to tri bikes.

I grew up on various bikes, everything from BMX and freestyle to road to mountain bikes, and think I've got decent bike-handling skills.  Even with that, I was spooked the first couple times I rode my Tri-Bike.  The handling and position are funky compared to what I was used to riding, especially how twitchy the bike can be at speed.

At least the pedals weren't an issue for me.  I learned to ride with clips/cleats and downtube shifters way back when.  Clipless pedals are way easier.

Anyone who rides and says they haven't done this is a liar. Zero-speed fail fall.

This only happens on the first ride with a new group.

I've been riding since 1985.  First clipless pedals were in '87 (I believe).  I fell twice last year.  All I ended up with was a bruised hip and a broken pride.

Bruised hip came from falling down while turning around in the road.  I was going too slow, or turned too sharp, or it was windy?  I don't know.  It was something I've done hundreds of times.  Luckily no one was around to witness.

Broken pride came on a group ride.  My friend convinced me I was strong enough to do the training ride with the "A" racers.  I fell and took him with me before we even got out of the parking lot.