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2005-11-05 8:35 PM

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Master
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Subject: newbie bike question
I spent my first tri season on a mountain bike just wearing my running shoes on the bike. I just got a real road bike with cycling shoes and pedals (Shimano PD-R540 Road Pedals).

I was watching Lake Placid IM on TV and noticed the pro women ran barefoot with their bikes to the bike start, and then mounted their bikes. Their shoes must have already been clipped into the pedals. I tried clipping my shoes onto the pedals and then mounting the bike, but the shoes rotate around on the pedal so the shoe is upside down and drags on the ground. How do they do that, and is that what most triathletes do? (I was too busy to notice during the races I did!)

Thanks, carol


2005-11-05 8:39 PM
in reply to: #278933

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Pro
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Subject: RE: newbie bike question
I'd say most people at the tris I did, did not do it. They just ran in their socks or barefoot with shoes in hand and just put them on at the bike line.

If you want to try it, you use a rubber band on the the heel loops of the shoes to the bike so that they are right side up. When you get on your bike and get your foot in the shoe and start pedaling, it breaks the rubber bands.

Edited by auto208562 2005-11-05 8:40 PM
2005-11-05 9:34 PM
in reply to: #278933

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Expert
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Subject: RE: newbie bike question
And plan on LOTS of practice at it.  The pros/elites typically will ride several hundred meters before actually slipping their feet inside their shoes.  I, for one, just clip in after I hit the bike-line...
2005-11-06 5:58 AM
in reply to: #278934

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Subject: RE: newbie bike question

auto208562 - 2005-11-05 8:39 PM I'd say most people at the tris I did, did not do it. They just ran in their socks or barefoot with shoes in hand and just put them on at the bike line. 

Must lead a sheltered life, 'cause I've NEVER seen it done this way at a triathlon. In fact, at the ones I've done, the bike mount area was too congested to even consider this.People either changed their shoes in transition and ran in their cleats to the bike mount line, or did the shoes-on-the-pedal mount.

2005-11-06 6:52 AM
in reply to: #278990

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Subject: RE: newbie bike question
the bear - 2005-11-06 6:58 AM
People either changed their shoes in transition and ran in their cleats to the bike mount line...



Is it bad for your shoes to do that? Thanks for the helpful answers!
2005-11-06 7:40 PM
in reply to: #279001

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Subject: RE: newbie bike question
Running in your bike shoes is not that big a deal every once in a while. It can wear your cleats down a bit over time though. If the transition area is sandy, it can make cliping in a little difficult depending on what pedal system you are using. I have seen many, many people lose time with the shoes on the pedal system. They fumble around with it too long. I have watched a couple crash trying to get their feet in their shoes. I do not recommend it unless you have practiced it quite a bit. I just run in my bike shoes. If there is too much sand, I just hold my shoes in my hand until a few feet from the mount line. Then I stand out of the way and put my shoes on and run the remaining few feet. It is the lowest risk way to do it and works pretty well. I think the shoes on the pedals technique is the riskiest. If you do it though, use rubber bands to hold your shoes in place (keep them from dragging on the ground). When you start to pedal the rubber bands will break.

Mike


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