As you may know, our honeymoon next month is a biking tour of northern Italy, and my training has me riding over 100 miles a week. Because of this, some of my biking gear needed an upgrade!
I recently switched from platform pedals (you know, the flat pedals that almost all bikes come with) to clipless pedals.
Side note: “Clipless pedals” is the most ridiculous name ever, because my shoes clip-in and attach to the pedals. Technically, it refers to the fact that there aren’t toe clips/a cage you slip your shoes into, but it still seems like a silly name to me.
Anyways, moving on.
There are two types of clip-in pedals: those for road biking and those for mountain biking. Road biking shoes are lighter, and the clips stick out. When you walk around in the shoes, you need to put covers over your clips to protect them.
That’s why I have mountain biking shoes and pedals, even though my bike is a road bike...the clips are recessed! The shoes may be a little heavier, but I haven’t really noticed, and when we are in Italy, I don’t want to have to mess with covers.
The new pedals and shoes have made SUCH a difference in my riding. Now, when I climb the intense Ithaca hills, I can pull UP in addition to pushing down. They give me more power, and are much easier on my knees.
All pedals are different in terms of their set-up, so I refer you to the instructions that come with your pedals. However, I will give you this tip of advice: put the clips on the loosest setting possible to start out with. Clipping in and out takes some getting used to, so better make it as easy on yourself as possible!
And on that note, I leave you with some lessons I’ve learned since getting clipless pedals:
Lesson learned: When pulling up to an intersection, always unclip one of your feet so that you can stop if you need to!
Lesson learned: When preparing to stop, unclip one of your feet AND lean slightly to the unclipped side. Otherwise, you will try to put both feet down at once, fail and fall on your side. Trust me, I did it twice on the first day (but not since then!)
Lesson learned: When preparing to stop, unclip EARLY. You can still pedal with the shoe unclipped. And then you can avoid those times when you just can’t for the life of you get your shoe out when you need to, and fall on gravel, giving you and your bike some ugly scrapes. Again, trust me on this one. Case in point? These lovely scratches:
So I guess what it really comes down to is this: when in doubt, UNCLIP a shoe.
Seriously, these pedals/shoes are not nearly as scary as they sound. I just figured I’d save you a few spills. 
Biking in Europe is sooooo different and amazing! Bikers actually have rights, and cars will stop for you! I was in shock the first time it happened it me!
I am absolutely terrified to go clipless but I plan on doing it before the end of the summer. I have a great story about being on a indoor trainer clipped and and completely unable to get out. Had to bunny hope the bike and trainer to the couch and fall over. Not the prettiest dismount.
Can’t wait to hear about the honeymoon! I’m sure it will be glorious.
That makes me feel much better about some of my spills!
Don’t be too scared to go clipless. Put them on the loosest setting and practice on the trainer or in a parking lot a few times before you head out on the road, and you’ll be fine. And a fall or two isn’t the worst thing.
I’m so impressed with your skills! Clipping in seems so intimidating to me – coming from someone who doesn’t own a bike – yet. I’m excited to use your blog as a reference once I buy a bike this fall.
My brother and sister both have those on their bikes – it still seems scary but I realize it isn’t! I seriously love cycling shoes though!
Yay for the clipless pedals! I’m so happy you switched before your trip. You WILL need them. We had quite a few hills on our Tuscan trip. I’m actually going through the pics (finally) tonight. I may have some posts up this week, hopefully, for you to get even more excited for your trip!
So excited to see pics and recaps! And yes, I will totally need the clipless… I totally need them for the Ithaca hills!
Thank you for this post!! My bike came w/the clipless pedals and I got shoes about 2 months ago, but I’m still using the cages
When we move I’ll switch them but I am scared! At least w/the cages your feet are somewhat trapped as well and you can’t just put both feet down. I always just take my right foot out when coming to stop, so maybe it will be an easier transition…I hope anyway!! Now I need to find some pink handlebar tape!
You can do it, Ash! And the pink handlebar tape can be your reward
Having ridden cages for a couple years before I switched to clipless, don’t be nervous about that transition at all. Clipless is actually safer to get out of in a pinch too, because all you need to do is twist your foot sideways instead of pulling backwards out of the cage. Twisting is a lot more natural a reaction than pulling back out opposite the direction you’re pedaling. It depends what kind of pedals you have too, but some clipless pedals are even easier to get into than having to flip the cages.
hooray SAVVY dan.
Nodding along the whole time. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!! It’s so fun once you get the hang of it, makes you so much better on the bike.
Thank you, dear!
Oh wow, a bike tour of Italy sounds amazing. You are going to have sucha great time I’m sure!!
I just started riding a road bike but have been way too nervous to attach my clipless peddles. That is my goal for the end of September, since it is really tough to do any sort of hill climbs in cages (not to mention that I never feel comfortable standing up). Can’t wait to read about your tour of Italy!
yay!!! haha love this. I never understood the name of clipless either. I have shimano PD-6700 pedals, not speed plays, and I don’t have to cover them even though they stick out slightly which is why I like them. When I first used clipless I totally forgot to clip out when I wanted to stop and I’ve fallen over another time when my weight wasn’t distributed right when clipping out. They still are amazing with force production!
I’m finally pretty comfortable with clipless pedals – after 2 years of them! I would say that at some point, you’ll fall, but it won’t (in normal circumstances) kill you. Yes, the ego will be bruised, but I think that I’ve learned more from picking myself up and getting back on the bike.