So, for all you biking mamas, I'm thinking about going clipless on my bike. Are any of you? What kind of money did you spend? What kind of pedals did you go with? Shoes?
Advise?
They are a kind of pedal that fits into a special cleat that is on the bottom of your special shoe, allowing you to remain attached to your pedals. This way you can use different muscles to turn the crank, "lifting" the pedals up with you in addition to pushing them down.
But I don't use 'em.
I have "Power Strips" on my pedals, which are streamlined "rat traps" or toe cages. Allows me to wear all kinds of different shoes and get the same benefits. I think I paid less that $30 bucks, but I don't remember.
I don't think that it's any less safe than a bicycle is anyway. I tried a few, and when you want to get your foot out, you just push your heel to the side, quick. It's a bit awkward at first, but I've been assured by lots of folks that it becomes second nature.
I think the big reason for me wanting to go to clipless is that, I bike WAY more than I drive, and Zoe is getting really heavy in the Burley, add a ton of grocerys and it's getting really hard to bike. I think having the extra power of being able to use the pull up as well as the push down to go will make me go faster w/out Zoe and the Burley (read: get to skool quicker) and will make me have more power to move w/Zoe and the Burley.
Clips, actually scare me more than clipless does. The idea of having to pull my foot out of something, rather than just turn my heel quick makes me think about falling off and getting caught in my bike more than clipless does.
what are clipless pedals?
They are a kind of pedal that fits into a special cleat that is on the bottom of your special shoe, allowing you to remain attached to your pedals. This way you can use different muscles to turn the crank, "lifting" the pedals up with you in addition to pushing them down.
But I don't use 'em.
I have "Power Strips" on my pedals, which are streamlined "rat traps" or toe cages. Allows me to wear all kinds of different shoes and get the same benefits. I think I paid less that $30 bucks, but I don't remember.
imho clips are pretty friggin unsafe. If you need to suddenly stick your feet down, or bail off your bike its a lot harder to get your feet free.
Rattraps are a bit safer, but honestly i wouldnt want to be strapped to my bike in the case of an emergency.
I don't think that it's any less safe than a bicycle is anyway. I tried a few, and when you want to get your foot out, you just push your heel to the side, quick. It's a bit awkward at first, but I've been assured by lots of folks that it becomes second nature.
I think the big reason for me wanting to go to clipless is that, I bike WAY more than I drive, and Zoe is getting really heavy in the Burley, add a ton of grocerys and it's getting really hard to bike. I think having the extra power of being able to use the pull up as well as the push down to go will make me go faster w/out Zoe and the Burley (read: get to skool quicker) and will make me have more power to move w/Zoe and the Burley.
Clips, actually scare me more than clipless does. The idea of having to pull my foot out of something, rather than just turn my heel quick makes me think about falling off and getting caught in my bike more than clipless does.