sitting here with my new bike shorts on...

[FatguyRacer]

I've got a ton of bib shorts from years and years of cycling. The ones with holes get used for all day moto riding under my gear. In the warm months, the only thing under my Airglide overpants is a pair of cycling bib shorts.

[ducpenguin]

Next stop: leg shaving.

Nothing like getting under the sheets for the first time! 
Gotta do this...don't want to be called a hairy leg or Cat10!

[triangleforge]

Nothing like getting under the sheets for the first time! 

Yeah, I remember that...

[Le Pirate]

Where are you at with pedals? Straps? Cages? Clipless already?

I come from the BMX world...so my bike currently has a set of Haro platform petals on it, but I think my next bicycle purchase will probably be a set of clipless. I'm still a little scared though...never know when a tree root or something will catch me off guard and then I won't be able to get a foot down in time 


Actually, It might be a whole new bike. My cranks have the ever scary creeeakkk-creeeakkk. think they are toast...and replacing them would mean spend about as much as I bought the bike for 

[triangleforge]

I come from the BMX world...so my bike currently has a set of Haro platform petals on it, but I think my next bicycle purchase will probably be a set of clipless. I'm still a little scared though...never know when a tree root or something will catch me off guard and then I won't be able to get a foot down in time 

It's probably a lot to do with what we're used to -- for me, riding platform pedals on technical terrain actually gives me the willies and takes away my (limited) ability to bunny hop. Even though I know full well that there are plenty of platform pedal BMXers out there who could nearly hop over me WHILE I'm in mid-air.

[Sinister]

but I think my next bicycle purchase will probably be a set of clipless. I'm still a little scared though...never know when a tree root or something will catch me off guard and then I won't be able to get a foot down in time 

Shimano M-647 clipless, with platforms, are the shit.  Get the cleats that allow multi-directional release (SH-55, or something).  I ride these all the time, as an all-mountain rider and super D racer; they rock.  There are lighter out there, Time makes some carbon-fiber dealios, but they are harder to get in and out of.

[lucazuma]

....i know what you are thinking Joel....dont EVEN try it!! 

[KnightofNi]

I come from the BMX world...so my bike currently has a set of Haro platform petals on it, but I think my next bicycle purchase will probably be a set of clipless. I'm still a little scared though...never know when a tree root or something will catch me off guard and then I won't be able to get a foot down in time 

don't worry, you'll have a clip fall too, just liek the rest of us.

that's how you learn that you have the clip set too tight, or that you have to twist and you can't just pick you foot up off the pedal anymore.

iused to ride platforms when i was a messenger, then when i started riding for fun and needed new pedals i went with SPDs. that way when i am on the road bike i don't walk like i spent the night in jail.

[x136]

I started with a pair of half-platform/half-clipless SPD pedals (M-324). It's a great way to learn, since you can use the pedals as regular platforms, and slowly work your way into the clipless thing. I moved to the Crank Brothers clipless system after that, but I highly recommend the Shimano M-324 pedals for someone getting started with clipless.

[Privateer]

I come from the BMX world...so my bike currently has a set of Haro platform petals on it, but I think my next bicycle purchase will probably be a set of clipless. I'm still a little scared though...never know when a tree root or something will catch me off guard and then I won't be able to get a foot down in time 


Actually, It might be a whole new bike. My cranks have the ever scary creeeakkk-creeeakkk. think they are toast...and replacing them would mean spend about as much as I bought the bike for 

set them loose to start with and work your way up on release tension.  I never had trouble releasing when I had to, and more often i had more trouble getting out just to stop and take a break.


that creaking might be the bottom bracket, not the cranks.  cheaper replacement than a whole new set.


Andy

[darylbowden]

Are bike shorts any different than the under armour shorts that I already have?  Or are they basically the same thing?

[Scottish]

Is all this gear really necesary? I have a $200 bike, Athletic shoes, cargo shorts(for the pockets) and a t-shirt. I'm fine like that, never noticed a problem?  Am I missing something?

[somegirl]

Is all this gear really necesary? I have a $200 bike, Athletic shoes, cargo shorts(for the pockets) and a t-shirt. I'm fine like that, never noticed a problem?  Am I missing something?

Just depends on the kind of riding you're doing...if that works for you, that's great.

[Le Pirate]

Is all this gear really necesary? I have a $200 bike, Athletic shoes, cargo shorts(for the pockets) and a t-shirt. I'm fine like that, never noticed a problem?  Am I missing something?

I have done the same thing for years (my bike was about 280 new....6 years ago). I started having some issues (ahem....down under) which led me to the bicycle shorts. They're padded, super breathable, and anti-funk.


the pedals are just something I've been thinking about....I keep hearing how much easier they make it to put power down.

[somegirl]

the pedals are just something I've been thinking about....I keep hearing how much easier they make it to put power down.

Yep, especially when you are doing lots of climbing.  My road bike has SPDs, my folder has half SPD/half platforms, so that I can ride in either kind of shoes.

When I'm doing steep hills with just the platforms I really miss having the clipless!