First ride with clipless pedals!

[Danny251]

I didn't fall once which is great

The only thing that annoys me is I find sometimes it takes forever to initially clip in to the pedal.
At least I can unclip with ease though but has anyone got any tips?

Thanks

 

[ianrauk]

keep at it and it soon becomes natural. We all have those days when it just wont clip in. But don't panic, take your time and it will clip in.

 

[mightyquin]

I've just bought some shoes/cleats but not ridden in anger with them yet, I want to get more familiar with them first.

When I tried them out I had the same problem, well my left clips in fine without even trying, but it takes several attempts to engage the right shoe.

 

[Danny251]

I've just bought some shoes/cleats but not ridden in anger with them yet, I want to get more familiar with them first.

When I tried them out I had the same problem, well my left clips in fine without even trying, but it takes several attempts to engage the right shoe.

Yeah I find that the right shoe can be more problematic than the left lol.

 

[slowmotion]

I've just bought some shoes/cleats but not ridden in anger with them yet, I want to get more familiar with them first.

When I tried them out I had the same problem, well my left clips in fine without even trying, but it takes several attempts to engage the right shoe.

Lean your bike against a wall with you in the saddle, somewhere very private

Practice that clippy stuff. Never mind that clip-in stuff....it's the un-clip that matters! You have the rest of your life to practice clipping in.

BTW, I fell off within three minutes of taking to the road, a few weeks ago, and again a week later. Both times were because I decided to stop, on a whim, suddenly.

It's worth it actually

Good luck.

 

[screenman]

Having raced cross and mountain bike for many years, trust me clipping in and out you should be doing without even thinking in quite a short while.

 

[HLaB]

Well done Danny, better clipping in will come with practice. At traffic stops (lights etc.) I always leave one foot clipped in (my stronger foot) and put the other down to balance (If I've timed it right I don't unclip at all but that can be perilous). I also like to ride with pedals that have a cage round the spd (M424's) so if i miss it makes it easier to pedal away strongly and I can clip in at a later un-flustered date and look down safely if necessary.

 

[Chilternrides]

Just double check that you have the tension the same on each side and that you have the position of each cleat set up correctly for you (that doesn't always mean exactly the same for both feet - some folk have feet which 'dangle' differently or may even be half a size in difference, amongst many other conditions).

Other than that, it will become second nature very quickly.

Oh yes, after a while of riding clipless, you will feel decidedly uncomfortable if you ever ride flatties again!

 

[SquareDaff]

+1 on all the comments here. Before long you'll find you clip in without even thinking about it. I've used clipless (again) for about 10 months now. My biggest problem is clipping in when I don't want to (i.e. in stop start traffic). I have to deliberately move my foot out of position as I'm putting it in clip position instinctively on setting off.

 

[BenM]

Get a recumbent bike to learn how to clip in and out without pain - when if you fall it is much less far to go

B.

 

[Danny251]

Thanks for the comments guys. Riding longer today so I will see if I can improve my clipping skill .

 

[Tynan]

I had a potentially unpleasant clipless moment this morning

Mine are still, after three years, set to loose 'until you get used to them' as the man in the LBS said

Suited me fine until now as in the very odd moment of panic a lusty panicy yank pulles the foot away, every now and then if I'm trying hard going over Bow flyover the right foot might unclip but all in all I was rather pleased with myself

This morning in a lovely day after a slow ride down Fenchurch Street and through to the start of London Bridge, I slid round the outside corner of a bus pulling into the first bus stop, the empty bridge opened up before me, a fixie fessenger type behind me, and away I went at something close to flat out

up the initial slope with huge acceleration, dropped a gear and went for the final push to try and hit 30 before the 'crest'

at which point right foot pops out, fortunately most of it's huge muscular force hits the front mudguard strut, but then continues into the front spokes giving sir's right foot one hell of a bang even though mtb shows, it all happens quickly natch but somehow I don't go over the bars, I think the ludicrously expensive maxlight race light got grabbed, popped that off (the rather worn mount that really should have been changed by now) and left it lying in the fortunately still empty road.

A rather shaken inspection shows retrieved light to be fine, and a front spoke snapped and the front wheel a bit squiffy, right foot still throbbing a bit hours later

London Bicycle workshop are now sorting front (and a slightly wonky back) wheel

In hindsight I'm surprised i stayed on, being in full going for it as i was, very lucky or what from time to time I assume to be some remaining leopard like reflexes

I think I might tighten them up a bit after that

 

[Danny251]

Glad you managed to stay on and avoid serious injury!
Thanks for the tip I will watch my clip tension closely to avoid this.

Not long back from a 7 mile trip and can't sing the clip-less praise enough. I am loving it and clipping in seems to be getting easier too. I still however have the odd moment where it takes a while to clip .

Not long been a cycling commuter and can honestly say I am loving it a lot so far! I shall go forth and preach the cycling gospel!

 

[Tynan]

not heaving on the pedals like an uncoordinated fool is likely the trick

clipless is a no brainer after a few days, but try teling that to people, people seem far happier with toe clips which while a good improvement on flat pedals are an awful pfaff

 

[NormanD]

Welcome to the dark side young padawan