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Apr 2020
12:10pm, 29 Apr 2020
23,892 posts
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fetcheveryone
If there’s a thread for this already, I haven’t seen it  But I thought it’d be good to have one.
I dusted off my bike for the first time in ages today, as I’m currently nursing a calf twang. I’ve done a wee bit of cycling in the past, but never more than about 75 miles in a month.
I thought it’d be good to have a place to ask dumb questions. Give this thread a follow if you are in a similar boat, or if you don’t mind answering dumb questions
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Apr 2020
12:12pm, 29 Apr 2020
32,790 posts
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♪♫ Synge ♪♫
[I see what’s going on here - you’re increasing your range for the Hide and Seek game! 😉 ]
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Apr 2020
12:16pm, 29 Apr 2020
3,624 posts
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StuH
OK... clipless pedals, is it worth it for an occasional cyclist? Currently have old fashioned toe-clips (minus straps) on my road bike.
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Apr 2020
12:23pm, 29 Apr 2020
32,791 posts
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♪♫ Synge ♪♫
Actually, I do have a serious question too. It’s about clothing.
Before lockdown, Dr S and I explored a new cycle track that has opened near here (old railway line to Moretonhampstead). About 25 miles in total and we made a leisurely half day of it. We wore normal day clothes - jeans, shirts etc - and I noticed that every other cyclist we passed was in lycra and proper cycle clothing. We were perfectly comfortable, but it felt slightly odd not to be all dressed up. Does anyone else cycle on a casual/touring basis without specialist clothing?
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Apr 2020
12:24pm, 29 Apr 2020
31,050 posts
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Old Croc
Stu, once that occasion drifts towards regular then yes - or the length of the ride drifts higher then yes.
Or simply add straps to clips - if you can still get straps! Clipless are safer though. I am old enough to remember pre-clipless so clips, straps and cleats were the norm
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Apr 2020
12:34pm, 29 Apr 2020
31,051 posts
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Old Croc
Synge - a bit like running gear really. Kit (mainly) has a practical purpose before fashion statement. Yes you can cycle in mufti - like you can run in jeans and t shirts, but there is a frequency, distance, effort level where practicality kicks in
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Apr 2020
12:36pm, 29 Apr 2020
23,893 posts
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fetcheveryone
I've also been wondering about pedals.
I have basic flat no frills no straps no nothing pedals.
Things I'm wondering:
1) does that make my pedals clipless? Or is that something fancy?
2) if I buy fancier pedals, are they all a standard thread, so they'll definitely fit my bike?
3) how much are fancier pedals? And the corresponding silly shoes?
4) how many times will I fall over?
5) I figure that being clipped in allows a more even application of power, as my rising foot will be able to contribute to the work. Does being clipped in provide a noticeable increase in speed, or is it tempered by the fatigue caused by my legs not getting a little break once every rotation?
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Apr 2020
12:39pm, 29 Apr 2020
10,922 posts
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larkim
I've got clipless on a road bike, flats on a more leisure oriented / family ride bike. I still fall off occasionally when I stop suddenly in clipless pedals and don't get unclipped in time, but they are beneficial for riding with any degree of enthusiasm. But at £30 for some pedals and £40+ for some shoes to fit them, it's worth seeing if you can justify it!
On the clothing side of things, it was a revelation to me how much easier it was riding in lycra shorts and a tighter fitting top. Wind resistance so much better. Plus padded shorts make things more comfortable. As above though - it largely (to me) depends on how enthusaistic the riding is (wind resistance increases exponentially with speed) and how much you're prepared to be investing £££ in cycling I suppose.
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Apr 2020
12:40pm, 29 Apr 2020
10,923 posts
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larkim
LOL at clipless pedals from FE - that was my thought too. Why do clipless pedals clip in? Surely they are not clip-less if I clip? I think clipless is vs older style straps, whereas no clip or strap at all = flat.
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Apr 2020
12:45pm, 29 Apr 2020
31,052 posts
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Old Croc
Clipless = no toe clip (or strap)
Clip in should really be called click in
And clip in or clips and straps are worth it for the increased pedalling efficiency over anything other than the shortest of distances - e.g. popping to the shop
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