Jody
Stubborn git
Everyone has to start somewhere!
Help with cleats
- Thread starter jujubeebikes
- Start date
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Everyone has to start somewhere!
markemark
Über Member
I need to go for a lie down.
Is that because you had a clipless moment and are trying to style it out??
Sterlo
Early Retirement Planning
- Location
- East Riding of Yorkshire
Sterlo
Early Retirement Planning
- Location
- East Riding of Yorkshire
+1 for this, if not they may stick and not release. Turn the tension on the pedals down to the minimum until you get used to them, it makes unclipping a lot easier.
Alex321
Veteran
- Location
- South Wales
Mine didn't
Ouch!
I think I have only had one fall where mine didn't, and that was very low speed. It was actually quite hard to unclip then while I was lying on my side.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I was going to post that, but you beat me to it...
Another warning - those pedals are double-sided so when lowering the release tensions make sure that you do it on both sides of both pedals! I missed doing one side of a new pedal once and only discovered that I couldn't unclip when attempting an emergency dismount on an ultra-steep ramp. Fortunately, I toppled over to the side that HAD unclipped...
Sterlo
Early Retirement Planning
- Location
- East Riding of Yorkshire
It's hard to unclip with a broken elbow and a bike lying on top of you.
PedallingNowhereSlowly
Well-Known Member
I'd add, get on the bike somewhere you can easily prop yourself up and keep one hand on the brake to stop it moving. Alongside a kitchen work top works well. Then practice clipping and unclipping whilst stationary.
Also works with a dwarf wall - one foot on the wall to support yourself and the bike. And then practice with the other foot. Make sure you can unclip cleanly and fairly easily.
Also, as @Sterlo said, reduce the tension on the pedals until you find the happy medium between them holding the cleats in place, but still unclipping with suitalbe ease. There is a hex adjustment bolt at the back of each pedal, one on both sides (4 in all). Don't forget to set them all.
Once you start riding clipped in, if you experience any knee pain at all, then you may need to adjust the position of the cleats on the shoes. Temptation is to line them up square, but you probably need to work out where your feet naturally sit on the pedals in terms of ankle in/toe out and possibly vice versa. If you have a bike with flat pedals, perhaps ride that for a while (or put some flat pedals on the bike temporarily) and periodically take note of how your feet are sitting. Then by trial and error you can get the cleats adjusted to give you a similar position.
Good luck.
Also works with a dwarf wall - one foot on the wall to support yourself and the bike. And then practice with the other foot. Make sure you can unclip cleanly and fairly easily.
Also, as @Sterlo said, reduce the tension on the pedals until you find the happy medium between them holding the cleats in place, but still unclipping with suitalbe ease. There is a hex adjustment bolt at the back of each pedal, one on both sides (4 in all). Don't forget to set them all.
Once you start riding clipped in, if you experience any knee pain at all, then you may need to adjust the position of the cleats on the shoes. Temptation is to line them up square, but you probably need to work out where your feet naturally sit on the pedals in terms of ankle in/toe out and possibly vice versa. If you have a bike with flat pedals, perhaps ride that for a while (or put some flat pedals on the bike temporarily) and periodically take note of how your feet are sitting. Then by trial and error you can get the cleats adjusted to give you a similar position.
Good luck.
