Taken the plunge

[malcermie]

Have ordered my first set of clip-in pedals
Shimano PD-R540 SPD SL Sport Pedals

From Wiggles seems a great price as they come complete with cleats..... how long before my first opps! moment?

 

[vickster]

Just make sure you get the correct shoes and loosen the resistance as much as you can. Just unclip early coming up to lights etc

 

[Hedgender]

They do take a bit of getting used to but you won`t regret it

 

[Ladytrucker]

Force of unclipping the left pushed me off to the right and I hit the ground. So glad I was wearing my helmet. Make sure you have them slack to start with.
I'm now back on my flats and Wiggle Spd pedals are on the shelf for a while.

 

[FreeFlow Bikes]

You'll quickly get used to them. I'd set the bike up against a wall or fence and practice clipping in and out.

When I'm 20 yards or so from a junction I'll clip out my left shoe and keep it resting on the pedal. If the junction is clear I just push back down on the pedal and my shoe clips back in. If the junction is busy I can easily put my foot down as I've already clipped out.

 

[Lee_M]

Force of unclipping the left pushed me off to the right and I hit the ground. So glad I was wearing my helmet. Make sure you have them slack to start with.
I'm now back on my flats and Wiggle Spd pedals are on the shelf for a while.

Good God, how tight did you have them?

You should be able to pop out with a little sideways twist

 

[Ladytrucker]

Good God, how tight did you have them?

Not tight at all, I was on a steep hill at the time so balance was an issue, the force of my panic unclipping caused me to fall the other way.

 

[Peteaud]

Not tight at all, I was on a steep hill at the time so balance was an issue, the force of my panic unclipping caused me to fall the other way.

Ive done the same thing

 

[malcermie]

Both pedals and shoes arrived today! First class service from both Wiggle and Sports Direct. Went out on some country lanes and spent seven miles clipping and unclipping, had more trouble clipping in than out. OK on the flat with plenty of time but uphill junctions are a different kettle of fish! Several times lost momentum before I could clip in and had to stop and start again, don't want that to happen when I have a 'Jack the lad' behind me in his beaten up Fiesta.

 

[Scoosh]

Try to remember that it is a bit like a clutch on a car (bear with me ... ) : when you first start driving, it is easy to forget/be late in pushing the clutch down when stopping. Once you get used to it, it becomes totally automatic (the clutch, not the gearbox ).

In the same way, clipping and unclipping will become totally automatic and you won't have to think about it - but it takes some practice and conscious thought to remember at the start.

..... how long before my first oops! moment?

Oh - we wait patiently to hear all about it !

Just remember the important rule of a 'Clipless Moment':
LAUGH when you are on the ground (assuming you are not seriously hurt nor in imminent danger)

This will :

• stop you getting all het up or angry about it
• re-assure passers-by that you are OK
• take away the embarrassment (or some of it )
• put it into the correct perspective

All that being said, I hope you don't have one for ages ...