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Bike Clipless Pedals
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There are always a lot of questions when it comes to what kind of gear is needed to compete in a triathlon. It is my goal to show that anyone with just a little desire can complete a triathlon and equipment certainly isn't an excuse. Triathlons can be completed for the most part with equipment you currently have and a bike is no exception.
So, just exactly what type of bike can be used? Well, the short answer is- whatever you have available. Whether it is a bike you have now or a bike you can borrow. For the most part, any bike you can find should certainly work for your first Triathlon. Keep in mind we are assuming you are targeting a Sprint or something similar as your first go at the sport. This means distances will be shorter and relatively manageable on just about any bike. Also, as always, assume budget is an issue. There is plenty of time later to go overboard when the addiction is in full affect. Tri bikes and road bikes can quickly get expensive and there is no need to make a major purchase on something you do not feel confident in knowing you will get your money's worth.
Mountain bikes are perfectly fine for this type of race. As a matter of fact, you will probably see several since this is a popular style bike and many people have one or can easily borrow one. The good ole fashion Ten Speed is certainly a workable option and yes I have even seen the BMX style bikes ridden.
One important aspect on any bike you are able to ride is the pedals. The pedals are as important as any part of the bike when you are covering more than a few miles. We all grew up riding bikes as a primary form of transportation and not even realizing how inefficient our efforts really were. The flat pedals we grew up on only allowed for the push down to spin the wheels. This means only one leg working for us at a time. It is important to be as efficient as possible when looking to cover real distances in an endurance race and training. This means as one leg is working on the push down; the other leg needs to be engaged on the way back up. So the pedals become extremely important.
There are basically two types of pedals and you will see them both at any race. A caged pedal, which is going to be the cheapest route at this point, is exactly what it sounds like. It is a cage that fits around your foot. You slide your foot into the cage and it can be tightened to prevent too much movement. This allows your foot to pull back to the top of the rotation as your other leg is pushing down. Another type of pedal you will notice is called a clipless pedal. This is a special pedal that requires a special shoe that clips onto the pedal and allows for both legs to work together through the full rotation. Again, because of the expense involved with the pedals and the shoes, this will be a definite upgrade as the addiction kicks in after a few races. These will be very prominent among your more experienced racers because it allows maximum efficiency.
Be sure to have your pedal situation handled during your tri training. You will certainly want to train like you will race and also insure you are training with as much efficiency as possible. The pedals can easily be put on and removed with a wrench, so it is still worth it to put pedals on a borrowed bike if need be.
Just remember, the idea here is to finish and enjoy the experience and this can be done on any bike. Do not let equipment be an excuse because it really does not take any specialized gear to get through your first few races. It makes no real difference what you look like on the course, the battle is within yourself and the goal is to finish. Work hard, stay focused and enjoy a life changing experience.
We are a group of individuals who have discovered just how much Triathlons have changed every aspect of our lives. No more excuses, get out and Tri something different today. To find more information on Training for a Triathlon or to answer questions as you Prepare for your Tri Training visit us at PrepareToTri.com
Make the Switch to a Clipless Pedal System
If you're a mountain biking and are riding in sneakers and toe clips, you may want to consider making the upgrade to mountain biking shoes and clipless pedals. Here are three reasons why clipless pedals will make your next ride safer, more efficient and more comfortable.
You'll notice instant efficiency gains when moving to a clipless system. While most mountain biking shoes don't have soles as stiff as road cycling shoes, they are much stiffer than a running shoe. The more a shoe flexes, the more energy from the legs is lost. A clipless system allows better energy transfer through a more rigid platform and more precise foot placement. You don't have to worry about your feet being properly positioned on the pedals because the cleats force you into the optimal position.
Once you get the hang of clipping-in and clipping-out, you'll find clipless pedals to be safer than toe clips. Toe clips have a tendency to snag your feet in a fall and are difficult to get out of in a pinch. That said, there is a learning curve with clipless pedals and you'll probably fall a few times before you get the feel of twisting your foot to clip-out. However, once you've become accustomed to that motion, it becomes second nature when you have to bail at the last second. If for some reason you don't have time to clip-out before a crash, you'll probably disengage from the force of fall if you don't have the cleat tension set too high. If you're nervous about a tricky section of trail, you can also use the pedal platform without clipping in. Some pedals have wider platforms specifically for this use.
If you've ever hammered the pedals for an hour or so in sneakers, you've probably felt some soreness and fatigue in your feet. This can result from the constant flexing of the foot and improper positioning of the foot on the pedal. Mountain bike shoes are made for this very specific foot motion and are built to keep your feet comfortable pedal stroke after pedal stroke. You wouldn't run five miles in stiff mountain bike shoes, so why would you hit the single-track in running shoes?
If most of your rides are two and from the coffee shop and are less than two miles, it may not make sense to go with clipless pedals. However, with the discussed considerations in mind, it makes sense for many recreational mountain bikers to ditch the sneakers and toe clips in favor of mountain bike shoes and clipless pedals.
About the Author
The author is a recreational mountain biker who enjoys cross country and all-mountain riding. More mountain biking tips can be found at www.mountainbikediscounts.com
are clipless pedals dangerous to use on a road bike for a beginner who wants to get into racing?
No... Clipless pedals are very easy to learn if you spend a few minutes doing this drill: Find a grassy field and practice clipping in/out of your pedals. Do this for about 15-20 minutes to get used to the motion of how to clip in and out. Practice 'panic' exits as well (unclipping while you are pedaling). Spend a couple of days doing this and you will become very familiar with the pedals.
Clipless pedals also allow you to disengage quickly in the event of a bicycle related crash as the momentum of your foot will force it to disengage from the clip. This is a good thing as you dont have to worry about the bike traveling with in the event of a nasty fall.
Afternoon Palate Cleanser: Fire Dancer Practices for Burning Man in Dolores Park While Wearing Cycling Pants
The indefatigable Allan Hough of Mission Mission brings our attention to this video, shot by claydiva, showcasing a fire dancer practicing for Burning Man in Dolores Park while wearing the tightest outfit imaginable. He bonks his face at around the :35 mark. But does that stop him? Nope.
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