I based my choice of pedals solely on not believing in my ability to “unclip” if the occasion arose that I had to save my bacon.  The Shimano M324s have a neat little feature where there’s the SPD binding on one side and then on the other is a standard pedal cage that you can use with normal every day shoes.  I figured that these were the best way to learn… and maybe they were.

First, I have to say, it’s really not rocket science to use clipless pedals.  The guy at our local bike shop (Bicycle Outfitters – and they are truly awesome) explained it in terms that just about anyone can understand.  You see… you’ve got a smart foot and a dumb foot; your smart foot is the one that you’d naturally kick a ball with.  The other foot… not so much.  So, the smart foot just kind of automatically knows what to do.  As you’re coming to a stop, lean to the side of your smart foot and your foot just pops out of the pedal binding.  You put your foot on the ground.  Voila!  No wreck.  Wrecking is a whole different story.  If you’re wrecking you’re worried about saving your bacon and you don’t particularly care about your feet.  I wish that Dave from the bike shop had explained all of this to me before I bought the Shimano M324s.

The Shimano M324s have recently been dubbed (by Cece) Weapons of Calf Destruction.

Here’s the problem: on the side of the pedal that has the normal pedal cage there are little ridges made out of metal (see the image at the left and the red circles).  My previous pedals were all made of hard plastic, and while it wasn’t comfortable if the pedals happened to contact with your calf it wasn’t particularly dangerous.  Last Friday I had a little mini wreck that actually did a real good number on my calf when my right leg got tangled up in my pedal.  The biggest problem at this point is that the pedals keep hitting my calf just from silly things that happen when you ride, but because there’s so much bruising and scrapes and cuts it seems like I keep re-injuring that area over and over again!  After another 2 rides, there is very little of the back of my right calf that isn’t covered in icky bruises and cuts.

The moral of this story is that when I get back from Italy I will be in the market for some new pedals.  I’ve heard good things about Look pedals and about eggbeaters.  Not sure what to go with… any suggestions?

If you’re super curious about what my calf looks like, you can click here.  If you’re not into icky scrapes & cuts, don’t click it!

Related Posts

• June 18, 2010 -- [Cycling Gear] Part 1: Why I’m In Love With Brooks Saddlery
• November 4, 2010 -- Why I’ve been MIA lately – MyNeChimKi Updates

I’d like to tell you about some of my absolute favorite things so far.  This is Part 1 of a multipart series on my cycling gear.

Brooks B17 S – The Most Comfortable Saddle You’ll Ever Own

I’ve ridden my entire adult life on various gel saddles and I’ve absolutely never been comfortable.  Usually my rear goes numb after some period of time which will bring a welcomed relief to the pain I was experiencing.  In Ciclismo’s package that they sent out they said the best remedy for sore butt is to practice, practice, practice.  Basically, if you’re not in the saddle your butt’s just not going to build up a tolerance to the kind of abuse it’s going to take.  I believed them.

Until I got my Brooks saddle.

I had read on some of the cycling forums out there that Brooks made an exceptional saddle and that it was leaps and bounds beyond any gel saddle that you could buy.  Enough people were saying this that I got curious.  I had just bought a highly recommended gel saddle constructed specifically for women and I was kind of determined that I would love it (though we were quickly beginning to think that our relationship would end badly).

Perusing the Brooks site, I was skeptical.  Here was a whole line of bicycle saddles that were really nothing more than some leather stretched over a metal frame.  *sarcasm* Yeah, sure…. that sounds really comfortable *sarcasm*.  But the one thing that was getting to me was the fact that the design of these saddles hasn’t changed since 1898.  112 years is a pretty sufficient time to have a tried and tested product that is still on the market with literally no modifications.  So I figured what can it hurt?  These guys offer a return policy… what’s the worst that can happen?  I hate the bike saddle and return it?

Let’s just say that even though it doesn’t rhyme, once you go leather you’ll never go back!

I didn’t know that cycling could be this comfortable!  And I don’t need a seat the size of an overstuffed armchair to get that comfort!!  The best part is that this bike saddle is going to last forever.  There’s no gel to wear out, no neoprene to tear, nothing to get in the way of miles and miles and miles of cycling in total comfort and fashion.

I purchased the Aged version of the B17 S (“S” for short, which is what they recommend for their female cyclists) because I wanted total comfort up front.  Their site indicates that there is a nearly non-existant break-in period for the aged version vs. the normal leather B17 S.  If you’re really into coordinating your bike saddle with your bike’s paint scheme you might opt for the regular version that comes in a variety of colors.  The aged comes in only one color… beautiful untreated, undyed, leather.

Who this saddle isn’t for

I can only imagine a few situations where this saddle wouldn’t be for you.

• Mountain biking — I don’t know that I’d want to put this saddle on a bike that I knew would likely be getting splattered with mud and generally being wet and wild on each adventure I took it on.  I’m not exactly convinced that a leather saddle would be at all good for that, let alone the aged leather one.  Seems like that could cause some damage and stretching.
• Vegans — Sorry guys… Brooks doesn’t offer a vegan-friendly option here.  If you’re not into the use of animal products you’d better just skip this all together.  Brooks saddles are all made of genuine animal hide leather.
• Serious Speed Cycler — Just from browsing the “road cycling” saddles that Brooks offers, I’d say the B17 isn’t the best option for the next up and coming Lance Armstrong.  It’s nearly 100 grams heavier than the average road saddle offered in their catalog.  Weighing in at 530 grams it’s probably not going to break you, but they do have road saddles that are as light as 310 grams.  And from what I understand, every gram counts, right?

So, now that you’re ready to run out and buy one, I’d also recommend that you buy one of their rain covers as well.  After all, you’ve just dropped a significant amount of money on this new, awesome saddle.  The last thing you want to do is throw a plastic “Thank You” bag over it and pray that there’s not a hole.

Up next: My intro into clipless pedal cycling.

Note: I am not a representative to Brooks Saddlery or a marketing affiliate.  I do not receive compensation for anything that I have written about Brooks bicycle saddles or on any purchases that may be made from links posted on this site.

Related Posts

• November 4, 2010 -- Why I’ve been MIA lately – MyNeChimKi Updates
• September 8, 2010 -- Weapons of “Calf” Destruction
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