Lavs
Member
Yea! I've clipped in and have noticed a significant improvement in handling (at speed and slow speed maneuverability), power, comfort (confidence, balance, etc.).
For those learning, like me, this is what I did:
First, in sneakers on open pedals, I rode everyday for nine days, several times twice in a day. I spent my first six hours (4 days) doing loops around an empty parking lot. I was still wobbly, but headed out onto the roads.
Ak-tux had mentioned that he transitioned to clipless pedals/cycling shoes by starting with just one foot clipped in, so that is what I set out to do today. I went to my empty practice parking lot, put my Right SpeedPlay pedal and cycling shoe on, left my Left sneaker/pedal on, and put on work gloves in case I tipped over. I got going pretty well. Rode a bit the stopped, both feet down, the repeated,... About five times.
Then I put my Left SpeedPlay and cycling shoe (i.e. both feet) on and went for it. I got going and clipped in. Aahhhhh!!
I practiced coming to a complete stop and restarting. I found that for me at this point, when fully stopped, the easiest sequence is to lean to my right and fully support myself with my right leg. Maintaining plenty of lean to ensure I didn't flop over to my left. Clip in my left foot at the beginning of the drive phase position,... Push with my left foot and "Flintstone" with my free right if necessar y. But frankly, with my left clipped in I can pedal full rotations as necessary until my right is clipped in.
I can easily say that my starts are much better now with my clipless pedals and cycling shoes than even yesterday in my sneakers and open pedals.
Also of note, I practiced figure eights and such and would actually say my tight radius turning is now better than on my DF-TT bikes, after just nine days! I found that if I sit upright I can maneuver better at slow speeds.
I also found myself making much more directed/controlled movements of the bike. Head up off the headrest, looking around.
AND to top it all off. A guy in the parking lot said, as I rode past,... "You make that look easy."
Wooooo Hooooo - Lavs
For those learning, like me, this is what I did:
First, in sneakers on open pedals, I rode everyday for nine days, several times twice in a day. I spent my first six hours (4 days) doing loops around an empty parking lot. I was still wobbly, but headed out onto the roads.
Ak-tux had mentioned that he transitioned to clipless pedals/cycling shoes by starting with just one foot clipped in, so that is what I set out to do today. I went to my empty practice parking lot, put my Right SpeedPlay pedal and cycling shoe on, left my Left sneaker/pedal on, and put on work gloves in case I tipped over. I got going pretty well. Rode a bit the stopped, both feet down, the repeated,... About five times.
Then I put my Left SpeedPlay and cycling shoe (i.e. both feet) on and went for it. I got going and clipped in. Aahhhhh!!
I practiced coming to a complete stop and restarting. I found that for me at this point, when fully stopped, the easiest sequence is to lean to my right and fully support myself with my right leg. Maintaining plenty of lean to ensure I didn't flop over to my left. Clip in my left foot at the beginning of the drive phase position,... Push with my left foot and "Flintstone" with my free right if necessar y. But frankly, with my left clipped in I can pedal full rotations as necessary until my right is clipped in.
I can easily say that my starts are much better now with my clipless pedals and cycling shoes than even yesterday in my sneakers and open pedals.
Also of note, I practiced figure eights and such and would actually say my tight radius turning is now better than on my DF-TT bikes, after just nine days! I found that if I sit upright I can maneuver better at slow speeds.
I also found myself making much more directed/controlled movements of the bike. Head up off the headrest, looking around.
AND to top it all off. A guy in the parking lot said, as I rode past,... "You make that look easy."
Wooooo Hooooo - Lavs
