bigbiker1

If I can get a saddle that I can sit in long enough, I would really like to try for a 30 mile ride this week. Tomorrow I get my new pedals that are Shimano PD-m324 SPD/platform, it will be my first time using clipless. Friday and Saturday both are supposed to be in the low 60s early when I will ride so those would be great days to get it done. As far as using the clipless pedals, I will set them on the lowest tension to make it easier to get in and out. The trail where I will ride has no cross traffic so I should only need to stop for breaks, do you think after a day or two of practice I will be ok using them on a longer trip? I am hoping that I will have a similar experience that I did when I was much younger and used toe clips for the first time, riding seemed easier.

SlowRider65

In regards to getting used to the lipless pedals, I would got o a football, soccer, etc field near by and ride around and just practice getting in and out of them. You will fall so might as well do it somewhere that you won't get hurt

macpolski

Been there, and done that!! Not the football field, but the falling. Sometimes the brain fails to tell the feet to twist the shoes out of the pedals.

CommuteCommando

I ride a Brooks Chrysium (not sure of spelling) Not cheap, but less than their leather seats, no break in and worth it.

kc0bbq

Everyone has clipless mishaps. Everyone. I had one this year, and I've been using them for quite a while. Sometimes things happen faster than you can deal with. Just try to fall to fall on the non-drive side.

cyclist2000

or it tells you to unclip the right when leaning to the left.

cyclist2000

you could always take a 5 minute break at the half way point to take some pressure of your seat.

Milton Keynes

Or get a bigger seat. I know a lot of people here say it's all about your seat meeting the sit bones correctly, which I won't dispute, but I have a wide memory foam seat on my hybrid that I wouldn't trade for anything. I never, ever have butt discomfort even on hours-long rides.

MikeRides

Definitely YMMV. I used to ride on a large, cushy gel-esque seat, and i found my rear end would get numb after 20 miles. My road bike has a extremely hard seat but I find my bike shorts do a good job at reducing the discomfort on longer rides. The advice I once gave a friend who wouldn't ride because of seat discomfort was to simply stand and pedal every few minutes. It's one reason why I really loathe flat riding, I'll go out of my way to find some hills just so I have an excuse to stand up and put down more torque.

Staypuft1652

Definitely practice with the m324's. Learn how they hang and get them wore in some so they will reliably hang where they usually will.

bigbiker1

I am doing pretty good with them so far, no spills yet. I did panic once and unclipped both feet at the same time and ended up getting a deep puncture in my leg from the pedal. Other than that once I got the cleats placed right they have been good.

Staypuft1652

Right on! I never got totally used to them. They were nice pedals tho. Imo also not everyone takes a spill on clipless. Had some close calls though. If I recall correctly the m324's come with the multi release cleats, which in case of an emergency violently flailing works usually (for me lol).

The whole process becomes second nature real quick, like everyone says about practicing in an open soft area, you get used to unclipping quick and it becomes normal. A good habit is to have one foot ready to go at intersections and what-not. Your legs develop muscle memory.

I don't know if you had the cleats professionally installed, or what shoes you have, but you may get whats known as "hot spots" after some miles clipped in. You have the benefit of having the platforms on the other side. Hot spots are just some soreness/numbness in areas of your foot. Spinning rather than mashing helps this alot also.

CommuteCommando

A bigger/wider seat is not necessarily the answer. even for a Clyde, a narrow road bike saddle can work well. I ride a brooks saddle and it works well, I have done century rides on it at 5'10", 220 lbs.