Clipped in commuting catastrophe!

[Marc78]

I love being clipped in for my weekend rides, but I did my first commute in them and it scared the hell out of me.

The city I commute in is renowned for its roundabouts inbetween stretches of dual carriageway. I felt like a sitting duck whilst I was fannying around trying to get my other foot in as well as trying to propel myself out of the way of the oncoming hgv's!

It's not put me off my spd's and i'm sure practice makes perfect, but I don't think rush hour is the ideal training ground.

Anyone found similar, or am I just being a wuss?

 

[JiMBR]

On busier stretches of carraigeway, it can be a bit hairy until you get used to clipping the second foot in.

It also depends on the type of pedal in my opinion, as I find the double sided shimano SPD on my mountain bike easier to clip into than the single sided SPD-SL pedals on my road bike.

 

[PK99]

I love being clipped in for my weekend rides, but I did my first commute in them and it scared the hell out of me.

The city I commute in is renowned for its roundabouts inbetween stretches of dual carriageway. I felt like a sitting duck whilst I was fannying around trying to get my other foot in as well as trying to propel myself out of the way of the oncoming hgv's!

It's not put me off my spd's and i'm sure practice makes perfect, but I don't think rush hour is the ideal training ground.

Anyone found similar, or am I just being a wuss?

I find i get a better getaway by taking the fist few pedal strokes on the instep of my unclipped on foot, with a bit of speed clippin gin is then far less wobbly

 

[Tyke]

I find i get a better getaway by taking the fist few pedal strokes on the instep of my unclipped on foot, with a bit of speed clippin gin is then far less wobbly

I agree with that but also be careful at the stops not to unclip to early or as you go for the extra few peddle turns to the stop it is easy to clip in by accident.

 

[Cosmicned]

Been there done that... and found clipless was simply too dangerous (for my route anyway) - so its standard pedals on my hybrid commuter bike - clipless for my weekend carbon roadie excursions... but that's just me- I'm sure others manage just fine...

 

[Red Light]

You will get used to hitting the clip first time with a bit of practice so it doesn't distract but even then you won't get it right 100% of the time so in that case, do as a PK99 suggests and cycle with your instep on the pedal until you have a moment free to clip in. You can also coast on the instep if you

The trouble with weekend cycling for getting used to them is you don't typically get to clip in and out much whereas commuting tends to have a lot of it involved. It might also be worth unclipping and coasting/riding with your instep on the pedal too if its stop start or you might have to stop suddenly until you become comfortable with clipping/unclipping.

 

[BSRU]

If I have a problem clipping in as I pull away I just pedal but with less pressure, remembering not to be in to big a gear, I found being right gear makes clipping in easier.

 

[Dilbert]

I use double sided Time Atac Aliums with Shimano MD76 Shoes. I pedal away at junctions with my 'loose' foot on the pedal, and either let it find its own way in, which it does a lot of the time, or sort it out when I am moving at a decent speed, and clear of the junction. I regularly stand up on the pedals while getting away from traffic lights without being clipped in first. The choice of those pedals was one of the first, and so far most useful bits of advice I have had off this forum. I have also done the accidentally clipping back in thing once as well

 

[BentMikey]

Clipping in and out at junctions, why?

 

[fossyant]

MTFU

 

[BentMikey]

MTFU

LOL, I was thinking that, but decided it was too harsh to post.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

Clipping in and out at junctions, why?

I've always wondered when watching your videos, do you put your hand down when you stop at lights?

 

[BentMikey]

Spot on mate! Yeah, I'm too lazy to unclip so just put a hand down. The disadvantage of this is it's taken the edge off of my clipping in skills, perhaps I should force myself to do a couple of commutes clipping in and out to sort that out.

 

[element]

I love being clipped in for my weekend rides, but I did my first commute in them and it scared the hell out of me.

The city I commute in is renowned for its roundabouts inbetween stretches of dual carriageway. I felt like a sitting duck whilst I was fannying around trying to get my other foot in as well as trying to propel myself out of the way of the oncoming hgv's!

It's not put me off my spd's and i'm sure practice makes perfect, but I don't think rush hour is the ideal training ground.

Anyone found similar, or am I just being a wuss?

Use the redways instead ?

 

[Tynan]

double sided spds here and perfectly fine in London rush hour traffic