Fear of road bike

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Hello
I have been riding a touring bike for a few years and love it.
Recently I entered my first official ride, Hotter N Hell, rode 50 miles on the touring bike. Loved it! But I kept getting passed by people on their road bikes and didn't like that.
My husband and a friend of our's had been trying to get me to buy a road bike. I knew I would not like being clipped into the pedals or the riding position of the road bike so I resisted. After the 50 mile ride I gave in and bought the road bike. I am terrified to ride it. Oh, I have gone on rides but I do not enjoy them. I have taken it out about 5 times. The last ride was 35 miles.
I was told I would go alot faster on the road bike, but I am so scared I am not going faster.
I have a fear of being trapped, held down, ....so I do not like the pedals at all.
I will actually be shaking before a ride. And after only 10 miles I am exhausted just from being so nervous and scared.
I am hoping this will go away. I really enjoy going out riding with my husband, something he enjoys also. I do feel bad that he has to ride so slow with me. My average on the road bike is 14mph.
Anyone experience anything like this? Will this pass or should I just go back to the touring bike and enjoy biking again? Give it more time?
Help!

Please correct me if I am wrong, but it sounds like you are simply afraid of the clipless pedals, not particularly the road bike as a whole. Remove them and install regular platform pedals.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but it sounds like you are simply afraid of the clipless pedals, not particularly the road bike as a whole. Remove them and install regular platform pedals.

Yes, it is probably more to do with the pedals. I asked my husband to put regular pedals on the road bike and he refuses. So do all the people we ride with, they say not to put regular pedals on the bike. Everyone says it will defeat the whole purpose of the road bike. I need to be clipped into the pedals to get the full effect, to go faster, and all that. How many people put regular pedals on their road bikes? Is this common? Maybe I should just refuse to ride the road bike until I get what I want. Throw a good ole tantrum!:)

Yes, it is probably more to do with the pedals. I asked my husband to put regular pedals on the road bike and he refuses. So do all the people we ride with, they say not to put regular pedals on the bike. Everyone says it will defeat the whole purpose of the road bike. I need to be clipped into the pedals to get the full effect, to go faster, and all that. How many people put regular pedals on their road bikes? Is this common? Maybe I should just refuse to ride the road bike until I get what I want. Throw a good ole tantrum!:)I get constantly harassed by the other riders in my local club for using old school pedals with straps. My answer is always the same, "You ride your bike, I'll ride mine. Oh, and I did whip your butt on that last hill if you recall..." If your husband won't do it, take it to a LBS. They may give you just as much grief, but in the end, you are the customer, so you get to decide what goes on your bike. After riding with straps for a few hundred miles, you may find you've developed the confidence to switch to clipless. If not, so what? As long as you're enjoying the ride, what anyone else says(even your husband), is irrelevant.

Yes, it is probably more to do with the pedals. I asked my husband to put regular pedals on the road bike and he refuses. So do all the people we ride with, they say not to put regular pedals on the bike. Everyone says it will defeat the whole purpose of the road bike. I need to be clipped into the pedals to get the full effect, to go faster, and all that. How many people put regular pedals on their road bikes? Is this common? Maybe I should just refuse to ride the road bike until I get what I want. Throw a good ole tantrum!:)Tell him you are deathly afraid of the clipless pedals on the new road bike. Change to platform pedals until you become more well adjusted to your new body position on the road bike. If you feel brave enough, after a few weeks or months, try the clipless pedals again in an area free of traffic and other obstacles. Not using clipless pedals will not defeat the whole purpose of the road bike, but you won't be quite as efficient. If you are still ultimately afraid of clipless pedals, maybe try toe straps, toe clips, or stick with the platforms.

Of course you might be dealing with a complete ass for a husband, so a tantrum might still be in order.

Tell him you are deathly afraid of the clipless pedals on the new road bike. Change to platform pedals until you become more well adjusted to your new body position on the road bike. If you feel brave enough, after a few weeks or months, try the clipless pedals again in an area free of traffic and other obstacles. Not using clipless pedals will not defeat the whole purpose of the road bike, but you won't be quite as efficient. If you are still ultimately afraid of clipless pedals, maybe try toe straps, toe clips, or stick with the platforms.

Of course you might be dealing with a complete ass for a husband, so a tantrum might still be in order.

Oh no no, Let me say he is a wonderful husband! I am the most spoiled, pampered wife. He is just convinced I do not need the regular pedals and I will get over this fear of riding with them.
I may have to go to the platform pedals for a while.
I did ride my touring bike yesterday and I was so happy. He suggested I ride the touring bike during the week when I ride alone and then ride the road bike with him on weekends. He always stays right with me, talks to me, encourages me, etc...

I have a lady friend who has a Felt road bike and a Giant Upland. I set her up on both and would say she is now quicker on the Giant. To achieve this it needed some mods: http://www.cyclingforums.com/t363004.html

Yes, it is probably more to do with the pedals. I asked my husband to put regular pedals on the road bike and he refuses. So do all the people we ride with, they say not to put regular pedals on the bike. Everyone says it will defeat the whole purpose of the road bike. I need to be clipped into the pedals to get the full effect, to go faster, and all that. How many people put regular pedals on their road bikes? Is this common? Maybe I should just refuse to ride the road bike until I get what I want. Throw a good ole tantrum!:)
I originally used just the platform pedals, and later decided to give toe clips a try and I do like them, they don't really require much to get used to and I have never fallen because I couldn't "clip out"...

I originally used just the platform pedals, and later decided to give toe clips a try and I do like them, they don't really require much to get used to and I have never fallen because I couldn't "clip out"...
The first time I rode my road bike I fell because I couldn't clip out and it was in front of a whole flight of airmen who were crossing the street. We live on a training base. I had to stop for them. Soooooo embarrassing! But I got the first fall out of the way. :p

The way to conquer fear of clipless pedals is to ride and ride until you are comfortable with it. Don't forget also to practice clipping and unclipping so that it becomes second nature. I suspect you are doing brilliantly already with your clipless as I have not heard you complain of any falls while clipped in. Myself and many many others who first started using clipless can all tell tales of how we fell on our sides while clipped in, all because we forgot its presence when stopping. I had two falls on my right side with scars on the knee and thigh to show, but the action of unclipping has finally sunk in and no more problems. :D

The reward at the end is very sweat! :cool:

The way to conquer fear of clipless pedals is to ride and ride until you are comfortable with it. Don't forget also to practice clipping and unclipping so that it becomes second nature. I suspect you are doing brilliantly already with your clipless as I have not heard you complain of any falls while clipped in. Myself and many many others who first started using clipless can all tell tales of how we fell on our sides while clipped in, all because we forgot its presence when stopping. I had two falls on my right side with scars on the knee and thigh to show, but the action of unclipping has finally sunk in and no more problems. :D

The reward at the end is very sweat! :cool:
I've had the bike about one month and had two falls, both while stopping and couldn't clip out it time. I have loosened the shoes and do much better now clipping out.

I am patiently waiting for the reward that is very sweet!!

I've had the bike about one month and had two falls, both while stopping and couldn't clip out it time. I have loosened the shoes and do much better now clipping out.

I am patiently waiting for the reward that is very sweet!!
Ok, so you are indeed average and have suffered falls. :D

So now you've been through the worst, it's smooth peddling from here and on.

Clipless makes your cycling more efficient as you can both push down, pull rearward, lift, push forward and round and round it goes. You'll also avoid those horrid slips due to water or other problems with platform pedals. As long as you can train yourself to unclip as second nature, then you are perfectly safe.

I think you have 2 options. They do make pedals that are clipless on one side and have pedestals on the other. That is what I had for my last set. Now I have all clipless. I just started using clipless this year.

Your second choice is to use the clipless pedals with a couple of modifications. Try SPD type pedals & cleats. With these you can adjust the tension on the pedals so you can release them easily. Also the type of cleats you use can make a big difference. Check out the Shimano web site. There are basically 2 types of cleats. "single direction release" and Multi-directional release" I use the "multi" type. And as I got more comfortable with them I slowly increased the tension on the pedals. Just make sure you get cleats that are compatable with the pedals you get. Also your shoes will need to be compatable as well.

Practice clipping in and out. And if you know your going to have to stop, unclip one foot early. I was very nervous about using clipless at first. Now I find they are actually safer. I remember the times when I wasn't paying attention when shifting and down shifted when I meant to up shift and lost my footing on the pedestals. Now if I make that mistake my feet stay on the pedals. It hust takes time to get udes to them. Good luck and keep smiling.

Hello
I have been riding a touring bike for a few years and love it.
Recently I entered my first official ride, Hotter N Hell, rode 50 miles on the touring bike. Loved it! But I kept getting passed by people on their road bikes and didn't like that.
My husband and a friend of our's had been trying to get me to buy a road bike. I knew I would not like being clipped into the pedals or the riding position of the road bike so I resisted. After the 50 mile ride I gave in and bought the road bike. I am terrified to ride it. Oh, I have gone on rides but I do not enjoy them. I have taken it out about 5 times. The last ride was 35 miles.
I was told I would go alot faster on the road bike, but I am so scared I am not going faster.
I have a fear of being trapped, held down, ....so I do not like the pedals at all.
I will actually be shaking before a ride. And after only 10 miles I am exhausted just from being so nervous and scared.
I am hoping this will go away. I really enjoy going out riding with my husband, something he enjoys also. I do feel bad that he has to ride so slow with me. My average on the road bike is 14mph.
Anyone experience anything like this? Will this pass or should I just go back to the touring bike and enjoy biking again? Give it more time?
Help!


Have you thought about using your clipless pedals on your touring bike, which you are already comfortable on so that you become familiar with them and using your touring pedals on your road bike until you are more familiar with the road bike.

As a transition to clipless for either bike, why not consider strapless toe clips. I wouldn't ride a bike without them now. I couldn't bring myself to try cleats personally! The advantage with toe clips is that you can wear your regular shoes, whilst still having the advantage of having your foot efficiently positioned on the pedal.

Another problem may be that your set up geometry on the new bike may not be quite right.

Remember, at the end of the day you have to feel comfortable, as has been said before!

I am in a similar position - I cannot tolerate the feeling of having my feet attached so at the moment I am using platform pedals. (The clipless pedals and shoes are currently sitting in a box, waiting for the big day when I make the jump) Yes, they are less efficient but if you are so scared you can hardly be riding efficiently anyway.

If your husband refuses to change the pedals, you can always do it yourself..... you will need either a pedal spanner or a 15mm spanner.

To loosen, stand on the same side of the bike as the pedal you are removing, get a firm grip on the crank to stop it moving, put the spanner on the knurled nut between the pedal and the crank, and turn towards the back of the bike. To tighten, screw towards the front of the bike. This is the same regardless of bike and pedal type. You might need to put a bit of muscle into it to move the nut initially but unless you are particularly small and lacking in muscle, you should be able to do it.

It is SO refeshing to see some indepenant thinking ladies!

Don't give into male pressure to cleat in, learn these personal skills, changing pedals is just the beginning!

Yes, a 15mm open ended spanner for all platform pedals, some cleated pedals may use an 8mm allen key in the end of the pedal shaft.

I am in a similar position - I cannot tolerate the feeling of having my feet attached so at the moment I am using platform pedals. (The clipless pedals and shoes are currently sitting in a box, waiting for the big day when I make the jump) Yes, they are less efficient but if you are so scared you can hardly be riding efficiently anyway.

If your husband refuses to change the pedals, you can always do it yourself..... you will need either a pedal spanner or a 15mm spanner.

To loosen, stand on the same side of the bike as the pedal you are removing, get a firm grip on the crank to stop it moving, put the spanner on the knurled nut between the pedal and the crank, and turn towards the back of the bike. To tighten, screw towards the front of the bike. This is the same regardless of bike and pedal type. You might need to put a bit of muscle into it to move the nut initially but unless you are particularly small and lacking in muscle, you should be able to do it.
I have never used "clipless pedals". I use toe clips (or toe straps) which one are cheaper (I don't like to buy what I don't need...) and I find that they are much more efficient that normal platform pedals. I have never fallen because I couldnt "clip out", so they are more "natural" to use...

I was pretty scared of my bike when I got it too... I have never ridden much before and I just decided I was going to take up road biking... bought my first road bike, but it came with the straps on the pedals... I was terrified when I found out I actually had to test those beautiful bikes! my first 200 miles I was always nervous going out on it for fear of the position and handling of the bike.... I did get used to it and after 600 miles I got clipless pedals.. again, was really nervous being on my bike, but now, 2000 miles later, i'm much faster and don't think a bit b4 getting on except maybe how warm to dress, music or no.. lol.. put regular pedals on or w/ straps until you get used to the bike itself, then when you feel like a pro, add the clipless... clipless does make you go faster cause your feet aren't movin around and more efficent, but toe clips work almost as good for up to like 23 mph? good luck.. keep at it!

one more thing.. my LBS put my bike on a trainer when they installed my pedals and let me have as much time on it as i wanted to practice starting, stopping and clipping in and out... they actually got down on the floor with me to help me learn how to get the cleats in the pedals... after that, i took my bike to the park and started to ride on the grass (much less painful than asfault). ... I fell once.

if you can't get a hold of a trainer.. maybe your husband can hold your bike for you a little every night and let you practice :D

one more thing.. my LBS put my bike on a trainer when they installed my pedals and let me have as much time on it as i wanted to practice starting, stopping and clipping in and out... they actually got down on the floor with me to help me learn how to get the cleats in the pedals... after that, i took my bike to the park and started to ride on the grass (much less painful than asfault). ... I fell once.

if you can't get a hold of a trainer.. maybe your husband can hold your bike for you a little every night and let you practice :D

Yes, we do have a trainer that I practiced on. It did help.