New rider tips and tricks

ade, was not sure you were posting that as an example of someone without foot retention

I have a friend who joined the forum a few months ago who is too shit scared to post a new thread. You can sort of see why.

I have also heard that from some, even some meet up some are wary of going to drinks. When they finaly do appear they usually find us to be normal. Normal apart from the love of cake.

Maybe grow a thicker skin should be part of the nursey message

Serioulsly get foot retention. I started with straps and clips but have now moved to clipless, yet to fit them to the bike but I find straps and clips a right PITA to get into when stop starting all the time. Clipless should be much easier.

Oh and also why not run a brake? Even if you don't use it much it's there for a reason.

Been reading lots today as i got a call saying my bike had been delivered.

So got home and set it up using some info I found on here, tightened everything up and took it for a ride (5 miles) got back home and checked everything was still nice and tight(it was).

really enjoyed the ride and the bike felt great, so light compated to my Halfords special mountain bike I have had for the past yearish!(£120 and did 100 miles a week on it for about 5 months) didnt miss the gears at all only had to tackle one steep hill(bigger than I will do on my work run) and actually found it ok.

My average speed was also slightly higher but it was a shorter run so will see what the Garmin says after my ride tomorrow.

Thanks all for the info, going to order some foot retention next after reading all those links.

Im down in Canary Wharf with work all next week any good shops within walking distance(apart from Evans)

Just get into the clipless v straps discsussion, i switched from clipless to cages/straps last week after about a year. So far I am finding them a pain in the arse (can never get the second foot in easily) and also managed to forget i was not riding clipless today, got to red lights, tried to take my foot out, couldn't and fell over - in front of a lot of people. That was something I never did riding clipless. I'm also thinking it was easier to stop and skid but I'll give it more time

I just changed back to clips & straps, too... Still getting used to it but if you use decent straps and clips that fit your feet... the loss of power isn't that great.

DJ mate, everyone gets fucked off with noobs, just ignore it if it's going to annoy you.

After all, we've all been there...

http://www.lfgss.com/thread7271.html

Oh man. Priceless.

I just changed back to clips & straps, too... Still getting used to it but if you use decent straps and clips that fit your feet... the loss of power isn't that great.

Not so much the power, it is the speed of getting them on i find hard.

And the falling off.

Yeah I've had a few close calls I will admit... I'm still used to just twisting my foot out which is second nature to me... Never had a problem this time 'round with flipping the pedal over to get my foot in, though... that shit is easy.

having just gone from clips and straps to clippless i would say:

clipless is better but only just. and really only because i used to get blisters on my toes with clips. the benfit of riding in any shoe or at least an easily walkable shoe is great. I now ride look keo cleats and while they feel amazing to ride in i get fed up with stumbling up stairs and worrying about wearing the cleat down. MTN bike shoes would solve that but the are still hardly attractive or practicle shoes. clips are great if you want a bike you can easily ride a few miles on and get to the pub and not bother chainging.

You say you ride 100 miles a week my guess on a commute if i am correct go clippless cause you will probs have to change your shoes when you get to work any way.

You say you ride 100 miles a week my guess on a commute if i am correct go clippless cause you will probs have to change your shoes when you get to work any way.

Thanks for that, I do but also want to be able to just jump on and nip out for 5 mins in normal trainers, etc

I may start with some kind of strap just to see if that is ok for me and then next time I need new shoes go for clipless.

I use clipless just for the fact my commute is 17 miles to and from work. If I want to cycle with the mrs during summer I'll just pop the straps back on, isn't that difficult to change pedals.

cba

Thanks for that, I do but also want to be able to just jump on and nip out for 5 mins in normal trainers, etc

I may start with some kind of strap just to see if that is ok for me and then next time I need new shoes go for clipless.

i can ride on the backs of my pedals in normal shoes, as you should have the saddle a lil lower when riding on cleats to give you good pulling up power you can still reach them in trainers. I know it goes against all that foot retention business but if its only 5 mins it really wont be a problem i ride from old st to brick lane like this all the time (but probs no further than that). If you ride with any of the road specific pedals they work well as flats. Mtn bike pedals i am not so up on but i have deff seen ones which are clearly designed to work as both cleats and flats.

i can ride on the backs of my pedals in normal shoes, as you should have the saddle a lil lower when riding on cleats to give you good pulling up power you can still reach them in trainers. I know it goes against all that foot retention business but if its only 5 mins it really wont be a problem i ride from old st to brick lane like this all the time (but probs no further than that). If you ride with any of the road specific pedals they work well as flats. Mtn bike pedals i am not so up on but i have deff seen ones which are clearly designed to work as both cleats and flats.

Thanks think I will have a wander over to blb when im in London next week.

i can ride on the backs of my pedals in normal shoes, as you should have the saddle a lil lower when riding on cleats to give you good pulling up power you can still reach them in trainers. I know it goes against all that foot retention business but if its only 5 mins it really wont be a problem i ride from old st to brick lane like this all the time (but probs no further than that). If you ride with any of the road specific pedals they work well as flats. Mtn bike pedals i am not so up on but i have deff seen ones which are clearly designed to work as both cleats and flats.

those are the ones

Prepare for your quads to hate you! I've been riding for about 2 weeks now and they are decking!!! Not so bad if you're going to use the brake alot, but slowing down all the time and the occasional skid really takes it out of them...

My bike came with clips and straps, but I took them off to practice riding fixed with powerstraps as I thought it'd be a bit easier. I find them fine and am still commuting with them, but am starting to think of moving back to clips and straps...

So if you're worried about the whole thing, I'd say get some powerstraps (£20) to get used to flipping your pedal and getting your foot in and out, then move up to the full cage later if you feel like it.