Page 2 - Fear of road bike

30-09.-2006, 12:10 PM	#16
gclark8 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Perth (Basso), West Australia Posts: 3,510	Re: Fear of road bike 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. __________________ Cheers, George.

02-10.-2006, 06:54 AM

#17

e0richt

Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2006

Posts: 363

Re: Fear of road bike

Quote:

Originally Posted by matagi

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...

02-10.-2006, 02:34 PM	#18
tumbleweed77 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 121	Re: Fear of road bike 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!

02-10.-2006, 02:41 PM	#19
tumbleweed77 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 121	Re: Fear of road bike 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

03-10.-2006, 06:31 AM

#20

Fay260490

Registered User

Join Date: Sep 2006

Posts: 6

Re: Fear of road bike

Quote:

Originally Posted by tumbleweed77

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

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

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