Carry a backpack on a road bike?

salehest6990
salehest6990 Posts: 7
edited April 2016 in Road beginners
Hi everyone,

I recently bought a new BMC road bike, and this is my first time riding with cycling shoes. I live in NYC and there is a ~30min commute from my home to the place that I can bike with the cycling shoes (Central Park). It's really hard for me to wear the cycling shoes in the city (from my home to the park) because I have to clip and unclip too frequently and it's a bit dangerous (at least until I become more comfortable with these shoes). So I guess the only solution for me would be to wear a pair of sneakers from home to park, and carry my cycling shoes in a backpack, then switch the shoes and while riding in the bike path of the park, carry my sneakers in the backpack. Do you have any suggestions for a backpack that would be suitable for my situation? Or any other solution to the problem is highly appreciated because it's really annoying to carry a backpack while riding a road bike!

Thanks in advance!

Comments

  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,414
    tbh i'd just practice until you are ok

    i commute in london with road shoes on (speedplay zero pedals), and at stops hear plenty of others clipping out/in

    if you really can't manage at the moment then use a small backpack until you are confident with the road shoes, should only take a few rides, it's just a matter of practice
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,419
    SPD
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    SPD
  • ForumNewbie
    ForumNewbie Posts: 1,664
    I agree with the other posts - try SPD pedals and MTB/tourer SPD shoes rather that SPD-SL road pedals and road shoes. If you are planning to ride to the park with sneakers and clipless road pedals, that seems like a bad idea as your sneakers could easily slip off the pedals.

    If you want to enjoy riding a road bike, you don't really want to use a backpack, as it just means you will get a sweaty back during the ride.
  • Agent57
    Agent57 Posts: 2,300
    Another vote for SPD. Much easier to clip into than SPD-SL. And with touring/MTB shoes you can pedal OK without being clipped in. At least to get away from the lights, so the pressure isn't so great to clip in immediately.
    MTB commuter / 531c commuter / CR1 Team 2009 / RockHopper Pro Disc / 10 mile PB: 25:52 (Jun 2014)
  • oldbazza
    oldbazza Posts: 646
    Can recommend the Alpkit Gourdon,cheap,light and waterproof;

    https://www.alpkit.com/products/gourdon-20

    And standard spd's are better for commuting,just for the ease of walking about when off the bike.
    Ridley Helium SL (Dura-Ace/Wheelsmith Aero-dimpled 45 wheels)

    Light Blue Robinson(105 +lots of Hope)

    Planet X XLS 1X10(105/XTR/Miche/TRP Spyre SLC brakes

    Graham Weigh 105/Ultegra
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    I'll be contrary and go with Time ATAC...

    If you are really new to them though - just stick with normal pedals. Clipless pedals and running shoes arent a good mix.

    And I'd not be bothered to change shoes en route.

    Alpkit Gourdon is great. Get a bright colour and add 3M Reflective tape too. Saves a fortune over a cycling specific bag.
  • svetty
    svetty Posts: 1,904
    This would be better suited to carrying shoes on the bike IMO:
    https://www.alpkit.com/products/koala
    FFS! Harden up and grow a pair :D
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    Well you say that but it's over twice the price and not as versatile as a backpack...

    If you were going to take shoes in forever though I could see the attraction.
  • MeiMeiMei
    MeiMeiMei Posts: 4
    SPDs. These in fact:

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-a530-sp ... ng-pedals/
  • svetty
    svetty Posts: 1,904
    Fenix wrote:
    Well you say that but it's over twice the price and not as versatile as a backpack...

    If you were going to take shoes in forever though I could see the attraction.

    You should see the price of the Revelate versions!!
    FFS! Harden up and grow a pair :D
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    I use these on my commuting bike - they are great.


    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wellgo-WPD-982-Alloy-Clipless-Pedal-Silver-Black-9-16-Bicycle-Bike-SPD-Pedal-/131506656766?hash=item1e9e6855fe:g:tKwAAOSwgkRVTLR5


    on my best bike I have SPD/SL - and its nice to get that locked in feeling. I prefer to wellgo/spd combo for the heavy traffic and hills of the west midlands though...
  • earth
    earth Posts: 934
    Speedplay Frogs are my commuting pedal because they are double sided, easy to clip in and out, the cleats are low profile and mount onto SPD shoes that are easy to walk in so I use the same shoes to commute and wear in the office. Others say SPD pedals and they have many of the same advantages.
  • steve55
    steve55 Posts: 19
    +1 for SPDs for commuting. Cheap, if you get the double sided pedals very easy to clip in/out at the lights, shoes easy to walk in (which for me is a must as there's a 5-10min walk between office and multi storey car park where the bike store is).

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