General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike Pedals Rss Feed  
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2010-12-12 1:53 PM

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Subject: Bike Pedals
OK, I am totally new here.  Embarassed Been reading posts and various other information to get my bearings on what is required, both in equipment and training.  My question is the bike.  I am sure this has been answered on here before, but do triathlons require you to have a bike with something other than regular bike pedals?  I've already spoken to a bike shop, but I am not going into this to be competitive with anyone other then myself.  I am interested in doing triathlons as a challenge.  Thanks so much!


2010-12-12 2:02 PM
in reply to: #3245811

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Subject: RE: Bike Pedals
Just about everyone doing OLY and longer tris use clipless pedals. To me those ARE "normal" pedals. If you're talking about platform pedals that you can use with your running shoes then those are more common at sprints and super sprint races but even there they are not the majority in the races I've seen.

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SPD-SL-Road-Pedals-Black/dp/B000P9TOH...
Those are entry level clipless pedals. You'll need shoes as well. The shoes are very person specific so go to your local bike shop/store (LBS) and try them all on. Start with triathlon specific shoes and see if those feel good first.
2010-12-12 2:11 PM
in reply to: #3245811

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Subject: RE: Bike Pedals
Thank you kindly for your answer.  I plan on doing sprint triathlons because they would be better suited for me with the shorter distances then droning on and on in the longer distance ones (no offense).  However, is it difficult to learn how to ride with this type of pedal?  I don't relish falling off my bike every few feet!
2010-12-12 2:23 PM
in reply to: #3245811

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Master
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Subject: RE: Bike Pedals
I did my first couple of triathlons with $10 "toe clips" (I'm not sure people still call them this because there is not clipping....).  They're essentially plastic or metal "cages" that attach to your regular pedals, that help keep your shoes in place on while pedaling.  Any bike shop will sell them.

If you really start to like cycling, you'll want to get special pedals and shoes which clip to them.  They're not particularly hard to learn to use, though everyone will fall once or twice and be beginning while getting used to them!.

Brian  
2010-12-12 2:31 PM
in reply to: #3245811

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Subject: RE: Bike Pedals
Hey Famelec!  I see you are from Tyler!  I live about 30 miles north of you!  Small world. 

OK, so with the toe clips, I would be able to wear my running shoes with those?  Then if I decide to continue with triathlons and/or cycling, then I would move on to clipless pedals and shoes?  Thanks!
2010-12-12 2:39 PM
in reply to: #3245821

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Subject: RE: Bike Pedals
DanielG - 2010-12-12 3:02 PM Just about everyone doing OLY and longer tris use clipless pedals. To me those ARE "normal" pedals. If you're talking about platform pedals that you can use with your running shoes then those are more common at sprints and super sprint races but even there they are not the majority in the races I've seen. http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SPD-SL-Road-Pedals-Black/dp/B000P9TOH... Those are entry level clipless pedals. You'll need shoes as well. The shoes are very person specific so go to your local bike shop/store (LBS) and try them all on. Start with triathlon specific shoes and see if those feel good first.


Agree. Clipless pedals make for more efficient pedaling power once you're used to 'em.

And the Shimano pedals DG suggests are about the best value you'll find for serious clipless road (3-hole cleat mount) pedals.  They were my 1st road clipless & after 4-5k miles they're still solid.  In fact used 'em for several tri's (Sprints/Oly's) & they worked fine. 

Whatever clipless pedals you use, PRACTICE!!!!  Clip in & out dozens & dozens of times just to get the feel of 'em. 


2010-12-12 4:25 PM
in reply to: #3245828

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Subject: RE: Bike Pedals
luv2bhealthy - 2010-12-12 3:11 PM

Thank you kindly for your answer.  I plan on doing sprint triathlons because they would be better suited for me with the shorter distances then droning on and on in the longer distance ones (no offense).  However, is it difficult to learn how to ride with this type of pedal?  I don't relish falling off my bike every few feet!


Doesn't bother me a bit if you want to keep with sprints. That's what's great with this stuff there's something for everyone

Seriously, if you're going to ride more than a couple times a week and more than an hour at a shot I would highly recommend clipless pedals anyway.

Hold onto the light pole or a doorway and clip in and out a dozen times or so then go up and down your short block just clipping in and out with each foot. Won't take but 10-20 minutes to get to doing it without thinking.

Okay, yeah, you'll probably have one spectacular fall in front of people but generally there's only one or two of those. It'll happen when you stop, not during the ride itself. Write about it, we've all done it at least once.

2010-12-12 4:33 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Pedals
DanielG - 2010-12-12 5:25 PM

luv2bhealthy - 2010-12-12 3:11 PM



Okay, yeah, you'll probably have one spectacular fall in front of people but generally there's only one or two of those. It'll happen when you stop, not during the ride itself. Write about it, we've all done it at least once.



This is a universal truth. We can argue about a lot of things, but almost everyone has a self-depricating story of forgetting to unclip and falling over when learning to ride clipless pedals.
2010-12-12 4:39 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Pedals
famelec - 2010-12-12 3:23 PM I did my first couple of triathlons with $10 "toe clips" (I'm not sure people still call them this because there is not clipping....).  They're essentially plastic or metal "cages" that attach to your regular pedals, that help keep your shoes in place on while pedaling.  Any bike shop will sell them.

If you really start to like cycling, you'll want to get special pedals and shoes which clip to them.  They're not particularly hard to learn to use, though everyone will fall once or twice and be beginning while getting used to them!.

Brian  


Totally agree with famelec. Start with the "toe clips" while you get used to biking and make sure you enjoy it and triathlons. Yes, you can use your running shoes while in these. You will probably progress to clipless pedals and shoes as you go but save your money for now. As you gain more experience on the bike you will get more comfortable with the idea of the clipless pedals. They are relatively simple to get in and out of. Try something like these to start:

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_175294_-1_201521_10000_200409

Just my $.02 (that's about what it's worth)
2010-12-14 2:25 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Pedals

Thanks so much for all your advice!  Y'all are awesome!

2010-12-14 3:30 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Pedals
luv2bhealthy -   However, is it difficult to learn how to ride with this type of pedal?  I don't relish falling off my bike every few feet!


Once you fall OFF your bike you are almost there...

Attached to your clipless pedals, when you are learning you fall over WITH your bike. (Because your shoes are still clipped to the pedals.)

-eric 


2010-12-14 3:39 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Pedals
I once fell over still clipped into my pedals and a guy on a horse came by and asked if I was OK.  I felt pretty stupid.

As has already been stated, we all have stories to tell about this......
2010-12-14 3:47 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Pedals
OK, so falling off my bike is inevitable.  I guess I can live with that.  I just don't want any 'stupid' injuries (if you know what I mean).
2010-12-15 2:45 AM
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Subject: RE: Bike Pedals
I did the
2010-12-15 2:48 AM
in reply to: #3245811

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Subject: RE: Bike Pedals
Sorry about last post oops.
I did the toe "cages" thing then progressed to cleats when I first started and I too agree it is the way to go.
And yeah the stack is inevitable. I got to about 2 weeks and thought "I haven't fallen, I don't know what the fuss is about" but then in front of about 20 people it happened and I couldn't get up coz I landed in a garden! It's just part of the journey
2010-12-15 1:22 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Pedals
I think there is a perception that toe cages are easier than clips. I found that clips release your foot consistently and much better than cages. When I rode cages, my running shoes would sometimes get caught on the pedal and become hard to pull back and out.

People make a big deal about falling in the pedals. I have fallen on my bike but never because of the pedals. I also don't risk it by trying to balance at stop lights. I un-clip ahead of time and then things are good.

Walking in the shoes is a different story though... now that feels dangerous!


2010-12-15 5:30 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Pedals
cbrave - 2010-12-15 11:22 AM I think there is a perception that toe cages are easier than clips. I found that clips release your foot consistently and much better than cages. When I rode cages, my running shoes would sometimes get caught on the pedal and become hard to pull back and out. People make a big deal about falling in the pedals. I have fallen on my bike but never because of the pedals. I also don't risk it by trying to balance at stop lights. I un-clip ahead of time and then things are good. Walking in the shoes is a different story though... now that feels dangerous!


I agree. I've had worse falls from toe cages that I have using clipless pedals, mostly because my shoe would get caught when trying to pull out.  
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