Equipment - Clipless pedals

Some months have already passed since I have started training for the Triathlon and when you are practising for a competition (any competition) one always tries to get better and better. Although this will be my first try, I am already aware that I will not place first but I not want to finish last either and that is why I am training so hard every day!

In order to improve in your discipline, you need to practice and the more you practice the better you become. However, having better equipment will help you get to the better results.

Last week I bought a new set of pedals. Not because I didn't like the pair I already own, but because I needed to be more efficient during the biking section. With the old pair all you needed was a pair of normal running shoes and the pedals themselves. You place both feet on the pedals and you push down to move the bike forward. But what about pulling up??? You cannot pull the pedal up while cycling!!

That meant that there is room for improvement and that is why I bought a pair of Clipless Pedals!

Old Basic Pedals:

New Pedals (Clipless kit):

The new pair of pedals consist of the pedals themselves and a pair of cleats. One would also require a pair of road cycling shoes.

The cleats would then attach themselves to the shoe like so:

The pedals would then replace your old pair and then one can clip the shoes to the pedals. By doing so one would be able to not only push down to more the bike forward, but also pull up, push forward and pull backwards too. A HUGE ADVANTAGE!

Last weekend I tried them for the first time and the I guarantee anyone that there is ABSOLUTELY NO COMPARISON between the 2 pair of pedals. The difference performance wise is HUGE. In fact, I managed to do my usual bike in 15 minutes less than usual.

Like everything, there are advantages and disadvantages with such pedals. Since the bike itself will be part of your body, you would gain a huge amount of power during your bike ride and one would not need to almost stop pushing when changing gears. As a disadvantage then one has to be more careful than usual. Meaning, if you need to stop the bike, you have to remember to un-clip both feet from the pedals or else you would fall. If you fall down and there are cars passing by one can suffer serious injuries. If there are no cars and you fall down while still clipped to the pedals, you would really look like an idiot.

Check out this video and you'll see what I mean! :P

Until next time...have a nice day! =D