Clipless Beginner

Matlock4068
Matlock4068 Posts: 14
edited July 2010 in Road beginners
Having a rare day off today I've fitted some SHimano M520s to my new Specialized Tricross - my first clipless pedals - and have already gone arse over tip! However, I'm slowly getting used to it - but any tips for us clipless virgins?

Comments

  • ris
    ris Posts: 392
    set the tension in the pedals as light as you can.

    try to develop a habit/preference for which side you unclip. if need be then just ride round and round the block clipping and unclipping until you aren't thinking about it anymore.

    my first couple of weeks clipless were a spate of near misses, wobbles, swearing and landing on my side. it won't take long for it to be second nature so stick with it.
  • furrag
    furrag Posts: 481
    +1 for practice. It'll come to you in about a fortnight, but falling seems to be part of the learning experience.

    I'm used to unclipping my right foot now though and I think it's a bad habit as I lean into the traffic. If I learn to unclip my left, I also have the height of the curb to help me, and I don't have to lean towards the cars.
  • Lightning
    Lightning Posts: 360
    Go to some place with no cars, clip in, ride a bit, clip out. Keep doing that over and over. Clip out both feet before you stop while you're not used to it. Also, clip out the foot you're most comfortable with clipping out first for now.

    When you feel comfortable enough, do your normal rides and you'll get used to clipping out just one foot for quick stops for example, and clipping out any foot whenever you want. After a couple of rides you won't think about it anymore.
  • Butterd2
    Butterd2 Posts: 937
    Having a rare day off today I've fitted some SHimano M520s to my new Specialized Tricross - my first clipless pedals - and have already gone ars* over tip! However, I'm slowly getting used to it - but any tips for us clipless virgins?

    You fall off, it hurts, you learn.

    Never seen anyone do it any other way I'm afraid.
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  • Rich Hcp
    Rich Hcp Posts: 1,355
    Practise, practise, practise.

    You'll learn to anticipate when to clip out, junctioons and traffic etc

    Try only clipping out of one side only, saves having to make a 50/50 decision!

    (I only clip out on the right, my left ankle is fecked and I can't push off with it, so I only clip off the right)

    I find I twist my right ankle at junctions to clip out when I'm o my MTB, which has flats :oops:

    You'll soon get used to it 8)
    Richard

    Giving it Large
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,541
    practice

    on a quite road just cycle along, cliping and unclipping, you'll get the feel for it

    anticipate unclipping before you stop, practice it, after a while it'll become a reflex action

    personally i wouldn't advise setting the tension loose - coming unclipped by surprise while riding can be more dangerous than not unclipping when stopped
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    sungod wrote:
    personally i wouldn't advise setting the tension loose - coming unclipped by surprise while riding can be more dangerous than not unclipping when stopped

    Does that actually happen? I think my Keo Easys are fixed in loose setting (no adjustment) - there certainly seems no more likelihood of accidentally unclipping than the other pedals I use. The only way you'd unclip accidentally is if you are in the habit of subconsciously trying to unclip! You still have to twist your ankles a fair way to make it happen. I suppose if you run zero float it might become a little too easy but I can't see this as an issue for those using normal float.
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  • robz400
    robz400 Posts: 160
    Keep at it though they're so much better.

    I left my cycling shoes at work over weekend and was cycling to my girlfriends place 30 miles away. I ended up switching the pedals to my old toe straps ones and couldn't believe how insecure it felt. the back of my foot keep hitting the frame and was sliding about all over the place! Was a bit slower than normal too

    Will be putting the clipless back on tonight :D
  • Rich Hcp
    Rich Hcp Posts: 1,355
    Rolf F wrote:
    sungod wrote:
    personally i wouldn't advise setting the tension loose - coming unclipped by surprise while riding can be more dangerous than not unclipping when stopped

    Does that actually happen?

    Never happend to me on my Shimano 105 pedals
    Richard

    Giving it Large
  • Thanks for the replies everyone - had a few goes and it seems to be fine, and I can see the difference in my technique already. Off to the TESCO car-park for more practice!
  • I got the email saying my shimano R540's are in the post so I will need out practicing too methinks!!
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  • robz400
    robz400 Posts: 160
    Never happend to me on my Shimano 105 pedals

    Its happened to me twice on my M520s, both time when pushing hard to keep up with traffic. Once was at over 30mph! Bit of a shock :shock:
  • idkPhil
    idkPhil Posts: 17
    +100 for practice
    you could also try leaning against a post or your desk/wall if you are in your house and practice clipping and unclipping.
    I am going to second using a loose setting on the pedals and then tightening them back up.
    I always clip out easier with my right foot, that is.. if I unclip. I go out of my way to avoid having to unclip sometimes because I hate coming to a stop.
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,541
    Rolf F wrote:
    sungod wrote:
    personally i wouldn't advise setting the tension loose - coming unclipped by surprise while riding can be more dangerous than not unclipping when stopped

    Does that actually happen?
    <...>

    yep, especially with spd pedals, if you set them loose you can pull out at any angle you like, just depends how much oomph you give it - i've tried it myself
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • Hals1967
    Hals1967 Posts: 231
    idkPhil wrote:
    +100 for practice
    you could also try leaning against a post or your desk/wall if you are in your house and practice clipping and unclipping.

    This works up to a point but it really is better to practice whilst on the move (though I guess falling over in your house is better than outside !).

    Two things are certain...
    1. You will have one fall while unclipping
    2. It will become second nature to clip out eventually, so stick with it. :D


    1967 Engine
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    sungod wrote:
    Rolf F wrote:
    sungod wrote:
    personally i wouldn't advise setting the tension loose - coming unclipped by surprise while riding can be more dangerous than not unclipping when stopped

    Does that actually happen?
    <...>

    yep, especially with spd pedals, if you set them loose you can pull out at any angle you like, just depends how much oomph you give it - i've tried it myself

    I've only briefly tried spds though they are going back on the mtb in the not too distant. Can't say I've ever felt it likely to happen with road bike clipless.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    I've had two accidents with clipping in and out. 1st was getting on the turbo when I lost balance and didn't unclip falling in a heap against some other equipment. 2nd was on return from a ride outside the house when I succesfully unclipped one leg but tipped over to the opposite side. Doh! Now it's second nature, but I haven't mastered the secret art of staying clipped in at junctions etc and struggle getting back in when the start is on an uphill gradient.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • When I got clipless pedals I was told to prepare for 3 falls. That was about two years ago and after 2 in quick succession there has been no more. Just realised thats tempting fate
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