Intro to Clipping In

Bicycling season is right around the corner. Soon it will be time to get back out on your bike and put on some miles. Have you thought about some simple adjustments you can make to your bike? Upgrading your pedals can be one of the best and easiest options, which can make a huge difference. If you are still riding with the original pedals that came with your bike you may want to consider some other options!

Many people have enjoyed switching to a type of pedal where you can connect your foot to your pedal full time. You have two main forms you can choose from, a clip less or a toe clip pedal. Why switch and what are the advantages? The biggest gain is in power transfered when pedaling. Right now if you are not attached to your pedals you are only able to push down on the petal to propel the bike. If you are clipped on you can use both a downward push and an upward pull on the backside. This makes you more efficient.

There are two different types of ways to get you locked onto your bike. The first is a to clip your foot into a basket. This is commonly called a toe clip. These are not the preferred method of clipping in for professionals but there are many people who like to start here because they don’t always have to be clipped in to use them. The pedal can easily be turned upside down and used as a traditional pedal.

The second type of pedals are called clipless, though a bit of a misnomer since you are actually locked onto your bike. These are the pedals of choice for your more serious rider. These types of pedals require specific shoes that allow you to attach your shoe to the pedal. There are two basic types of clipless setups. PD's which are commonly used on mountain bikes, and SPDs used frequently on road bikes. SPDs have a wide pedal and use stiff shoes unlike the PD.

Before switching your pedals, it might be wise to ask to try out a pair or try with your bike on a trainer first. This will allow you to get a sense of how to get in and out of your new pedals efficiently so you don’t crash. It takes a bit of practice to remember to detach your feet from the bike before coming to a full stop.