The_East_Stand_View
New Member
Thanks to all the previous article posters who have helped me choose my SPD pedals and shoes. Practiced unclipping tonight and never fell off!! I'll let you know how my first trip goes tomorrow!
SPD pedals
- Thread starter The_East_Stand_View
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
aberal
Guru
- Location
- Midlothian
It's not the first time out that's the worry. Nor the second or third. It's that time, in the not too distant future when you are all comfy and blasé about your expertise with the new fangled gizmos when it so happens you FORGET you are using the darn things...
Trust me - you have been warned.
Trust me - you have been warned.
slowmotion
Quite dreadful
- Location
- lost somewhere
TESV, just practice this mantra...
"I am clipped in.....I must unclip", a thousand times. Don't worry about that clipping in stuff. You have decades to practice that without any risk of "slowmotion fall to the tarmac" action.
If you decide to do something in a hurry, beware.
Best of luck. I'm a clipless novice, but it does get easier. I believe that most people go over at least once or twice. I certainly did. When you do, the pain and bruises are not so bad. The fact that it is your own stupid fault, rather than somebody else's, acts as an amazing analgesic.
"I am clipped in.....I must unclip", a thousand times. Don't worry about that clipping in stuff. You have decades to practice that without any risk of "slowmotion fall to the tarmac" action.
If you decide to do something in a hurry, beware.
Best of luck. I'm a clipless novice, but it does get easier. I believe that most people go over at least once or twice. I certainly did. When you do, the pain and bruises are not so bad. The fact that it is your own stupid fault, rather than somebody else's, acts as an amazing analgesic.
Tyke
Senior Member
It becomes an automatic response when you get used to them, it's like driving the car if something pulls out in front you do the stop without thinking about it then think about what happened.
It's well worth taking the time to get used to them it makes everything better than flat peddles and much easier and safer than toe clips.
Just watch you don't clip out too soon at junctions it is easy to accidentally clip back in as you try to peddle another couple of feet up to the line if you then have to stop.
Once you get used to them there is no going back.
It's well worth taking the time to get used to them it makes everything better than flat peddles and much easier and safer than toe clips.
Just watch you don't clip out too soon at junctions it is easy to accidentally clip back in as you try to peddle another couple of feet up to the line if you then have to stop.
Once you get used to them there is no going back.
mcshroom
Bionic Subsonic
- Location
- Egremont, Cumbria
You only ever have clipless moments when there's an audience
slowmotion
Quite dreadful
- Location
- lost somewhere
Good point from Tyke. Clipping back in by mistake is easy to do. I tend to ride with my heels on the pedals rather than risk it. I think that the Pros just swivel their heels out a fraction of a degree in anticipation. Someday, I'll get there.
DrSquirrel
Guest
Road cleats are good for this, as you can half unclip them more often than not and get them back in quickly if you need.
Most "falls" you have, your feet will come out automatically and save you at the last second, usually a second after you have accepted that you're going to hit the tarmac
Last tip: More you look and worry - the worse it will get
Most "falls" you have, your feet will come out automatically and save you at the last second, usually a second after you have accepted that you're going to hit the tarmac
Last tip: More you look and worry - the worse it will get
The_East_Stand_View
New Member
First day findings!
I won't lie, I nearly bit the dust once, I unclipped just in time!! Lol. I was wobbling like bambi!!
Return trip was lovely, fast time and I felt joined to the bike.
When approaching a possible un clip moment I try to angle my heel out to a point just before unclipping.
Thanks for the tips.
I won't lie, I nearly bit the dust once, I unclipped just in time!! Lol. I was wobbling like bambi!!
Return trip was lovely, fast time and I felt joined to the bike.
When approaching a possible un clip moment I try to angle my heel out to a point just before unclipping.
Thanks for the tips.
gaz
Cycle Camera TV
- Location
- South Croydon
The trick is to pivot your foot on the cleat point, basically twist you ankle out.
Hi
Purchased a set of Shimano SPD when I purchased my bike.
Tried them for the first time at the weekend didn't take long to fit. Decided to try them out cycling along the back of my patio. Clipped in my left foot then slowly turned the crank then clipped in the right foot and then unclipped my left foot great! except the fence had got awfully close. Panic set in turned my wheel to the left ,felt the bike slowly start to fall to the right landed in my wifes flower display after hitting the fence which stood up to a 19 stone tit hitting it. One sore shoulder, grased elbow and a right ankle still clipped in which turned black over the next few days. I have entered myself for a Darwin award. However I have been out on them since and after a few nervous miles found them alright.
Hope you get on with them!!!!
Mark
Purchased a set of Shimano SPD when I purchased my bike.
Tried them for the first time at the weekend didn't take long to fit. Decided to try them out cycling along the back of my patio. Clipped in my left foot then slowly turned the crank then clipped in the right foot and then unclipped my left foot great! except the fence had got awfully close. Panic set in turned my wheel to the left ,felt the bike slowly start to fall to the right landed in my wifes flower display after hitting the fence which stood up to a 19 stone tit hitting it. One sore shoulder, grased elbow and a right ankle still clipped in which turned black over the next few days. I have entered myself for a Darwin award. However I have been out on them since and after a few nervous miles found them alright.
Hope you get on with them!!!!
Mark
The_East_Stand_View
New Member
Mark, ouch!! Hope you feel ok, thanks for the honest cautionary tale!
The nine miles home today was awesome in the cleats so looking forward to clipping in wednesday, thur and Friday
The nine miles home today was awesome in the cleats so looking forward to clipping in wednesday, thur and Friday
billy1561
BB wrecker
- Location
- North west England
Definately better than flat peddles Imo. Cycled just over 100 miles since I got mine and had 2 falls when stationary despite being comfortable with unclipping. Just plain forgot.