clips

Peanutt
Peanutt Posts: 229
edited July 2011 in Road beginners
I've been putting it off for ages as I never really tried them before, I have an old 12 speed and use it to commute which also means having to wear normal shoes to work and the idea of carting around an extra pair of shoes is not appealing so spd's are a no-no. So I've bought some pedals and clips.

Thing is, I'm to apprehensive, I know full well they'll frustrate me and the chances I'll keel over sideways are quite high. Is there a knack to using clips? wil;l I eventually get used to them? should I just stick to riding upside down pedals with no clips like I have been (weird I know)
No matter where you are, that's where you've been

Comments

  • king_jeffers
    king_jeffers Posts: 694
    Try to anticipate as far ahead as possible.

    Don't do what I did the other night... have to stop at a roundabout then forget your clipped in... I just got my foot out at the last possible moment and thought to myself "I must look like a right tw@t" only to have my thought echoed out loud by the workman in the white van behind me... very funny guys! ahhh you got me... :wink:
  • Cleat Eastwood
    Cleat Eastwood Posts: 7,508
    Like all things new it takes practice but as the above post says anticipation is the key, unclip say a 100metres from the junction and in time when you feel confident reduce the distance.
    The dissenter is every human being at those moments of his life when he resigns
    momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself.
  • MichaelW
    MichaelW Posts: 2,164
    Are these toe clips or clipless? You say not SPD so I'm assuming they are toe clips.

    Make sure the clips are the right size for your shoes.
    Use stiff straps (leather is best) and put a twist inside the pedal cage to prevent slippage.
    Keep the straps loose, there is no need to cinch them tight; this is dangerous in commuting traffic .
    Practice the flip to get your feet in, you reverse your foot over the rear lip of the pedal then insert forward. If you miss first time, just ride on the underside.
    To remove your foot you need to withdraw back and down, not sideways. Practice this a few times on both sides.

    You need to match the grippiness of the pedal and your shoes. If there is too much grip you can't slide in and worse, it will catch on the way out, if there is too little you will slide out when pedalling.
    Make sure your laces dont catch on the clips. I lace my trainers starting from lower hole to lower hole with the lace on the underneath, NOT the top.

    I use loose straps and have can get my feet out either side DURING an uncontrolled panic slide or fall. If clipless pedals had such easy release, there would be no such thing as a clipless moment.
  • Peanutt
    Peanutt Posts: 229
    Many thanks chaps that's invaluable advice, I shall set them up this weekend and pick a quiet evening to take them for a spin, or a tumble.
    No matter where you are, that's where you've been
  • Peddle Up!
    Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
    Even when you ride a bike without clips, get into the habit of turning your heel to "unclip". It soon becomes second nature.
    Purveyor of "up" :)
  • MountainMonster
    MountainMonster Posts: 7,423
    You could always do what I do. Buy a cheap pair of shoes to leave at work, and invest in some decent SPDs or other clipless types. Personally I would never go with clips, but that's just me!