Introduction to Clipping In

Mind is All

With the weather warming up, biking season is just starting. Most will get back on their bikes soon, hoping to add up some miles. Have you ever considered making some adjustments to your bike? If you still have the basic pedals that came with your bike, you migth want to consider upgrading. There are a number of great options available for those with their original pedals.

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 should you consider doing this you ask? Well you actually get more power to your pedaling. With a regular pedal, you only transfer power as you push down on your pedal. 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 ways to lock your feet into your bike. The first is a to clip your foot into a basket. Commonly called a toe clip. Though most serious bikers do not prefer this type of clipping in, many who are just starting out with a clip in pedal, find this to be a great starting point. It allows you to stay cliped in or turn it upside down and use it as a traditional pedal.

The second type of pedals are called clipless, though this can be a bit misleading, since you are actually locked onto your bike. These are the most preferred by professional and serious riders alike. All of the clipless pedals require specialized shoes to use with the specific pedal you choose. There are two main forms of clipless setups. SPDs, which are commonly used for road bikes, and PD's which are used most commonly on mountain bikes. SPDs have a wide pedal and use stiff shoes unlike the PD.

It is advisable to try a pair first, or to try with your bike on a trainer. This will allow you to get the hang of clipping in and out of your new pedals and reduce the chance of crashing. It will require you a bit of practice to help remember to detach your feet before coming to a full stop.