getting used to clipless pedals

cskasofia

Got my first road bike earlier in the year, and moved over to clipless pedals round about May. Have so far done a good few miles with them but I still don't feel totally comfortable.

I tend not to have a problem getting out of them, ie when coming up to a junction. However, the main difficulty I find with them is when I start off. I lock into the right one when I'm static, then I try and get into the left one when moving. Always seem to struggle at this point, sometimes I get lucky and get it right away, other times I can't seem to get fitted at all.

Anyone offer advice on this?

lioneld

Try clipping in your left in first, worked for me when I first had mine

neilo23

You should have got used to them by now. If not, try riding around in a park or a car park: somewher without traffic, and just practise clicking in and out. It should soon become second nature.

pixiedancingking

Try and adjust the tensioner if your pedals have them. I had mine loose when I first started for getting out quick and now I have more confidence in them have tightened it up.

Hope you find a solution.

Wacky Racer

I too have recently switched to clipless pedals, and whilst I am a million times better than when I first had them, I still occasionally have the odd problem when under pressure to get away sharply. General riding poses no problems I can easily clip in and out while on the move, but for example if I have to slow almost to a stop at a junction to see what is coming I obviously unclip one side in anticipation, but then it can be a struggle to relocated when I need to get away. I guess it comes with more practice, and probably will be easier if I don't unclip until the last second.

SLX01

Get some speedplay pedals they are double sided and a doddle to get into.

Peddle Up!

cskasofia wrote:

Got my first road bike earlier in the year, and moved over to clipless pedals round about May. Have so far done a good few miles with them but I still don't feel totally comfortable.

I tend not to have a problem getting out of them, ie when coming up to a junction. However, the main difficulty I find with them is when I start off. I lock into the right one when I'm static, then I try and get into the left one when moving. Always seem to struggle at this point, sometimes I get lucky and get it right away, other times I can't seem to get fitted at all.

Anyone offer advice on this?

This happens to me too. Sometimes the cleat engages right away, other times I'm stabbing at it like a drunk trying to put a coat on. :roll:

pixiedancingking

"General wrote:

Glad it's not just me. I don't know if i'll ever dare not unclip at junctions. My neighbour who got me into road cycling hardly ever unclips while we're out riding. I know i'll never even attempt a track stand!

neilo23

Just push off. You can peddle a few strokes with one leg to get moving. If you're moving along you won't topple over.

danlikesbikes

This happens to me too. Sometimes the cleat engages right away, other times I'm stabbing at it like a druunk trying to put a coat on. :roll:[/quote]

+1 - happens to me too!

Guess its just annoying that I can;t clip in straight away and then try to stab at it and force it to work which actually does nothing to help!

woodbloke

I'm going to be new to these as well and the advice offered by the LBS was to set them up initially so that they unclip easily, then balance yourself against a wall and practice cliping in and out. Once you're able to do this effectively, they can be progessively 'tuned' to your requirements. I also like the idea of riding round a park where there's no traffic, so one I've done the wall thing, I think I'll head for the park (which isn't too far from the LBS)
That's the theory...practice may be different - Rob

neilo23

pixiedancingking wrote:

Try and adjust the tensioner if your pedals have them. I had mine loose when I first started for getting out quick and now I have more confidence in them have tightened it up.

Hope you find a solution.

+1

Might make life easier for you.

What pedals do you have? I got used to clipless very quickly but I'm sure pedals are easier to get in and out of than others.

Peddle Up!

Of course some situations will always get the better of you. I challenged myself to a tough climb last week, but ran out of steam three quarters of the way up (dam!). I'm just out of the saddle with my weight on the pedals but because I'm cycling slowly as I move to unclip the bike shifts. Left or right? Left - no! Right! Arggh! :roll:

neilo23

Peddle Up! wrote:

Of course some situations will always get the better of you. I challenged myself to a tough climb last week, but ran out of steam three quarters of the way up (dam!). I'm just out of the saddle with my weight on the pedals but because I'm cycling slowly as I move to unclip the bike shifts. Left or right? Left - no! Right! Arggh! :roll:

That can be a bugger without the fans pushing you :-) Wait until there are no cars coming and ride off across the street or diagonally uphill. That makes the gradient shallower and easier to clip in.

Peddle Up!

neilo23 wrote:

Peddle Up! wrote:

Of course some situations will always get the better of you. I challenged myself to a tough climb last week, but ran out of steam three quarters of the way up (dam!). I'm just out of the saddle with my weight on the pedals but because I'm cycling slowly as I move to unclip the bike shifts. Left or right? Left - no! Right! Arggh! :roll:

That can be a bugger without the fans pushing you :-) Wait until there are no cars coming and ride off across the street or diagonally uphill. That makes the gradient shallower and easier to clip in.

Fans? Ho! Ho!

I was trying to clip out, but it's a good point.

Dan Ingram

I find that if I'm looking at my foot trying to do it I can never clip in but if i just set off and do it without looking it goes straight in. It just becomes natural thing after a while. It has taken me a good couple of months to get to that point though

Nuggs

Don't think. Feel.

Peddle Up!

Nuggs wrote:

Don't think. Feel.

Use the Force Luke?

garrynolan

Make sure they are set loose until you get used to them. Also - are they double-sided? If not, I would consider changing. Something like Shimano M520's. Cheap (only in price), reliable and easy to use.

the_spooks

Im seriously considering using one clip pedal and one flat to get used to them .... I feel like a kid one his first steps clipped in and normally have the same results. Damned embarrassing !

lol headwind

Take the chain off the chainrings and practice unclipping with no chain. You'll thank me some day.

cskasofia

Thanks for all the replies.

I thought I'd mastered it until a few weeks ago, when leaving work, I tried to get my left foot clipped in, it slipped, and somehow I lost balance resulting in a fall. Despite only travelling at a very slow speed I grazed my leg, hurt both wrists and slightly damaged the bike. More embarressingly it was all done in front of loads of people also leaving work, a packed bus and a row of taxis. Total brass neck! Though It could have had worse consequences if I'd done it at a busy roundabout/junction.

I've got shimano single sided pedals, and they are set up at least tension already. I guess its practice in a car park or quiet area until I regain my confidence fully.

Also, I initially thought the double sided pedals were only meant for MTB's otherwise I may have got those as a firt set.

Cheers!

kingrollo

A few tips:-

Think about, on a bike ride - how often do you clip \ unclip ? - 3-4 times, not really much practice. Go out for 30 minutes - just practice clicking in - then start on a hill - and move up the hill as you improve.

When you don't click in - just rest you non clicked in foot on the pedal - and pedal with the other foot - click in when you are clear of traffic hazards.

If you really can't get the hang of it. you can get some wellgo pedals - only about £20 - that have an spd cleat on one side - but a flat platform pedal on the the other - this gives you best of worlds and I still use these for commuting.

obi wan dandobi

First time I went out on my clipless I was at the lights with my left foot still clipped in and a car came up alongside me on the right, cutting in front of me. Instinctively I moved to the left out the way forgetting I was still clipped in and fell like a chopped tree, looking like a complete prat. :oops:

But you live and learn, thats the last time I've fallen!

glanma

Here's my two pen'worth of useless tips! Like everyone has said, find a park or other off road area and practice - lots! Like you, I always leave my right clipped in (dodgy left knee so I feel happier pushing off through my right leg). If I'm at lights with a barrier in easy reach I will slow almost to a stop and stay clipped in while grabbing the barrier. Then its easy to just pedal away with both feet still clipped in. Where I can't do that, I move off by pushing down with my still clipped in right foot and just rest the left on the pedal, and once at a comfortable speed I then concentrate on getting the left foot clipped in. If you really struggle after trying this then try some Shimano SPD PD-M520's. They're cheap, reliable and double sided making it generally speaking easier to get on with. My 13 yr old son has recently switched to these on both his road bike and now his mountain bike, and is much happier on both since switching. He's even discovered he can bunny hop both bikes now easily too! But whatever you do, try not to unclip too early - it can be more tiring on long rides, can obviously wear out your pedals/cleats quicker, and is just damn annoying having to clip back in as soon as you unclip because the lights turn green again! Read the lights and slow right down well before you reach them if they go to red, that way you can stay clipped in as long as possible and hopefully the lights will change again and you can carry on pedalling without worrying about unclipping.

CambsNewbie

I've found myself planning all journeys to avoid possible stopping situations! No right turns and no traffic lights! Luckily being out in the country makes this easier!