Advice for first time clipless pedal user

[Fatty]

Originally Posted by pdmtong

She has been riding with me since age 4. Has great slow speed handling and is comfortable riding road, tech single track, CX and lift-assisted downhill.

So why does she need to clip in?

Lot of mountain bikers on flats.

And clomping around a campus in roadie shoes?

Just not getting the need to clip in.

[homagesilkhope]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Don't want to sound like uber-parent..but what does SHE want to do?

Ditto this (you did say "other" advice). Why not let her figure it out on her own, including whether or not she wants clipless pedals? She's a big girl now and, I'm betting, pretty resourceful, too

[pdmtong]

Thanks for everyone's advice and comments, in particular carpediem.

I want to get her confident and capable with cleats so she can go on road rides (easily does 30/2500') and XC dirt rides more efficiently. For AM and DH rides I will eventually get her some 5.10's. Righ now she is just using Vans with her CB 5050's...

Once she gets to college, should she have a bike for "commuting", yes non-pegged flats all the way.

I forgot to add, while she is in the initial learning, will be wearing her old PI kit, not the higher end stuff, in case she hits the deck.

This is less a case of me being an overly aggro cycling parent than recognizing that cleats are the last basic step that separates her from the rest of the serious cycling world. So, before she leaves, I want to get that accomplished and from there, she will have pedal options to match the types of rides she may pursue.

BTW, CU-Boulder is on her list...I hear there is so good riding there.

[pdmtong]

Originally Posted by ofcounsel

If you go shimano SPDs, please, please get her the SH-56 multi-release cleats. They release so much easier. My 7 year old uses them, and he's never had issues unclipping before stopping abruptly.

Thanks, I will., do you happen to know if the older SH-55 multi-release will work with current gen pedals?

[559Rando]

Unclip BEFORE you stop!

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[ofcounsel]

Originally Posted by pdmtong

Thanks, I will., do you happen to know if the older SH-55 multi-release will work with current gen pedals?

Not sure, to be honest. I've only been able to get the SH-56's.

Al

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by pdmtong

Thanks for everyone's advice and comments, in particular carpediem.

I want to get her confident and capable with cleats so she can go on road rides (easily does 30/2500') and XC dirt rides more efficiently. For AM and DH rides I will eventually get her some 5.10's. Righ now she is just using Vans with her CB 5050's...

Once she gets to college, should she have a bike for "commuting", yes non-pegged flats all the way.

I forgot to add, while she is in the initial learning, will be wearing her old PI kit, not the higher end stuff, in case she hits the deck.

This is less a case of me being an overly aggro cycling parent than recognizing that cleats are the last basic step that separates her from the rest of the serious cycling world. So, before she leaves, I want to get that accomplished and from there, she will have pedal options to match the types of rides she may pursue.

BTW, CU-Boulder is on her list...I hear there is so good riding there.

Yup, but also invest in a good bike lock or her bike will be adios..

[pdmtong]

Originally Posted by ofcounsel

Not sure, to be honest. I've only been able to get the SH-56's. Al

I ordered some today...turns out the PD-8000 ship with the SH-51 single release.

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Yup, but also invest in a good bike lock or her bike will be adios..

agreed: college = good lock + craigslist bike